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SFS Fall Protection Network to raise the bar on worker safety 

   

 

James Gooder, SFS’s Business Unit Manager Fall Protection

 

Despite the huge progress which has been made in health and safety standards and practice across the UK construction industry over recent decades, falls from height continue to pose the biggest risk in terms of injury or worse.

 

According to HSE figures, falls from height remain the single biggest cause of workplace fatalities in the UK, with 29 deaths recorded in 2021-22, while the 35,000 non-fatal falls contributed significantly to a total of 3.9 million workdays lost overall due to accidents. 

 

The ongoing risk has prompted SFS, one of the largest manufacturers of safety equipment, to launch a new initiative intended to maximise the protection of contractors.

The SFS Fall Protection Installer Network has been created to provide a platform dedicated to advancing competency and awareness for companies and their individual operatives.  Full details can be found on the SFS website here: SFS Installer Network | SFS Group Fastening Technology Ltd

James Gooder, SFS’s Business Unit Manager Fall Protection, commented:

“Through the launch of the Installer Network, we are opening doors to a future-focused environment which supports installers not just in their ongoing work, but in their continuing development as responsible practitioners.  By working closely with trusted third-party partners, we will ensure the delivery of independent training that is adaptable to different levels of skill, knowledge and experience. As an innovative manufacturer, SFS is committed to driving positive change by raising the bar of excellence’ our key aim is to empower each member of the network to deliver exceptional outcomes and drive behavioural change across the fall protection industry.”

As well as continued access to free-of-charge SFS fall protection systems training, membership of the Fall Protection Installer Network offers increased on-site technical and logistical support, and the opportunity to help shape the direction of future product development through the SFS Collaboration Lab.  Members will further be able to promote their businesses by using the Installer Network’s logo and the publication of dual-branded case studies, while receiving quality business leads via the SFS specification pipeline.

For any businesses wanting to learn more about the Fall Protection Installer Network, SFS has produced a comprehensive and well-illustrated brochure giving full details of the scheme, the issues involved, and the remedies.

CLICK HERE to download the brochure from the website Installer Network – Brochure – Digital.pdf (sfs.com)

 

For further information, call 0330 0555888

 

CLICK HERE to visit the SFS Website

 

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MSA Safety’s V-TEC™ self-retracting lifeline is first to use dampener technology for additional safety

MSA Safety is launching its new V-TEC™ self-retracting lifeline (SRL). It is the first in the market to include an inbuilt retraction dampener which allows the user to release the cable safely via controlled retraction; this prevents potential injury to the user and damage to the main body of the unit. It also offers safe operation and a reduction in costs and downtime.

Part of the innovative and easy-to-use V-Series of safety harnesses and SRLs, in addition to the inbuilt dampener, the V-TEC also benefits from patented radial energy absorbing technology which ensures control over any force exerted on it. Together, the radial energy absorber and dampener translate the latest technology into ease of use, inspection and maintenance.

Its construction is based on an award-winning design first used in the MSA Personal Fall Limiter. A clear outer casing allows instant inspection and peace of mind, while the radial energy absorber requires no calibration or adjustment before use. A convenient carrying handle is fitted for easy transport.

“The V-TEC carves out new territory in SRL design and shows the kind of engineering innovation and user-friendly features the world has come to expect from MSA Safety fall protection,” says Alastair Hogg Director for Fall Protection Sales and Business Development, International, “our team at the Fall Protection Centre of Excellence in Devizes, Wiltshire, deserves much credit for keeping us ahead of the field.”

He adds: “The V-TEC SRL and other V-Series products have been designed for use with our Latchways® engineered lifelines to bring customers the highest specification of fall protection on the market.”

The V-TEC SRL is made using stainless steel and engineered plastics for great durability and, when necessary, its cable, energy absorber and retraction dampener can all be quickly replaced on site. A choice of galvanised or stainless cables, is available to meet the needs of different situations.

MSA Safety’s new V-TEC 6m self-retracting lifeline is now available from registered suppliers. Other lengths will be launched later this year.

For further information please contact your local MSA affiliate or visit MSAsafety.com.
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Fall protection takes off at Virgin Atlantic with Safesite

Safesite, a supplier of fall protection solutions, has provided Virgin Atlantic with a collective roof edge protection system that ensures optimum roof top safety for maintenance and inspection teams and complies with all relevant health and safety regulations.

Located in Crawley, ‘The Base’ is one of two Virgin Atlantic buildings that house its global Headquarters. Situated in close proximity to Gatwick Airport and Crawley’s city centre, the building provides training and technical facility for cabin crews, pilots and engineers. Built in the 70s, the building includes an extensive flat PVC roof which is split over several levels.

The building previously featured partially installed guardrails and failed demarcation systems which were deemed not fit-for-purpose. It therefore became necessary for the building to have a roof top safety upgrade comprising a complete roof protection system that enables safe access to the entire roof.

Work began in December 2015 to provide a continuous, co-ordinated roof safety system to the roof perimeter of the building and surrounding the roof lights enabling safer roof access. Norland-based commercial property adviser, CBRE Group managed this project and contracted Safesite to specify and install a full guardrail scheme. After removing all existing guardrails, demarcation bases and chain, Safesite installed 900 Lm raked and standard KeeGuard® systems.

“Once we became aware that the previous systems wasn’t performing correctly, we wanted to ensure that the new system was compliant with regulations, provided a full safety solution and wasn’t obtrusive to the design of the building” says Stephen Earl, Project Manager, CBRE (Norland). “Safesite is the expert in this area, and as they can offer the full service, from site surveys to installation, it was clear that they were the right choice for this project. The system that they have installed ticks all the boxes for us, and provides the client with the assurance that anyone accessing the roof will be safe.”

The KeeGuard® range includes standard vertical, raked, radiused and folding systems. The modular design features Kee Klamp® open-style fittings, which facilitate quick and easy installation of the horizontal rails and 100% recycled PVC counterweights. No welding, threading or bolting is required on site, which further speeds up and simplifies the installation process.

Suitable for installation on any flat roof up to a 10° slope, and compatible with concrete, asphalt, PVC membrane and felt roof surfaces, KeeGuard® can be used where a restraining wall is in place or where the rooftop is completely open around the perimeter. The flexible guardrail system can be used for retrofitting to older buildings as well as for new constructions.

The range is fully tested and either meets or exceeds current rooftop safety requirements, including EN13374 Class A, EN ISO 14122 Part 3 and BS 6399: Part 2 1995 Wind Codes.

For further information, please visit www.safesite.co.uk/
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