Safety measures such as installing walkovers to provide safe passage over weak roofs, or guardrails to prevent access to them entirely, have been deemed simple but vital by an HSE spokesperson. HSE inspector Paul Hoskins made the assertion following the conclusion of an investigation into how a young Dagenham man came to fall four metres […]
A failure to erect guardrails or use man anchors when working on a five-storey, ten-metre-high scaffold tower has led to one firm being accused of putting the public at risk. Spectators of the work being carried out in Covent Garden were so concerned that they took photographs of workers sat on the unprotected edge of […]
The construction industry is growing again, and while that is good news for the economy, it may heighten the importance of man anchors and guardrails, not only to keep work on schedule, but also to protect those who are new to the workforce and may be less experienced in safety matters. According to the Construction […]
Stronger walkovers fitted with guardrails could have prevented a fall through a church roof that left one man with a badly broken pelvis, the Health & Safety Executive reports. Southampton father-of-three Allen Smith was working on repairing a hole in the roof of Anerley Methodist Church in Penge, south-east London, in October 2011. He was […]
We often report on where weak guardrails or a lack of edge protection has led to an accident or injury occurring in a workplace, often followed by a HSE investigation and a sizeable fine. But it’s equally important to recognise where sectors are heeding the message of how edge protection can help to protect employees […]
Guardrails and other forms of edge protection are likely to feature high on the agenda at an upcoming RoSPA safety conference in Birmingham. No Room for Complacency is scheduled for March 27th at Maple House, and as usual when discussing construction safety, working at height is a key issue. RoSPA’s figures show that, in 2011-12, […]
Guardrails are one of the first ports of call when installing collective edge protection for work at height, according to Health & Safety Executive guidance. The HSE is currently overhauling its guidance on working at height, which affects some 10 million people who carry out work at some kind of elevation each year. Regulations are […]
Workplace health and safety should never be viewed as ‘discretionary’ spend, but you might think that, during a recession, spending on safety features like guardrails and man anchors might come under some pressure. However, findings from Spain – where employment levels have been severely affected by the recent economic turbulence – suggest quite the opposite […]
The heavy weather that has struck across the UK in recent days is an extreme example of why guardrails and man anchors are important for anyone working at altitude or in exposed areas. While it is likely that much maintenance work was rescheduled in the worst-hit areas, where wind speeds were recorded gusting at over […]
Following the news that the government has confirmed its long-term commitment to increasing the UK’s use of offshore wind energy, guardrails could become a core component in ensuring safety during any maintenance work. Just as is the case with oil rigs, offshore wind farms demand particular care and attention when it comes to safety, as […]