Nationwide Platforms, the industry leaders at the forefront of safety, have taken the opportunity to present their unique innovations to Construction Health and Safety Group (CHSG) members.

The meeting focussed on working at height best practice and included demonstrations of the recently launched SkySiren anti-entrapment solution, as well as a pioneering Material Handling Attachment (MHA) and machine management system.

Nationwide Platforms showed around 25 CHSG members their safety innovations ahead of a HSE talk on safe working at height. Major contractor representatives in attendance included Compco Fire Systems, Lovell, Bouygues and Morgan Sindall.

The SkySiren anti-entrapment solution aims to prevent serious injury and fatality caused by the trapping or crushing of a boom lift operator. The system works by reacting to the pressure of an operator’s trapped body against the machine’s control panels, immediately causing the equipment to stop moving. At the same time, colleagues are alerted to the incident by a flashing light and warning siren, giving them optimum time to complete emergency descent and rescue procedures.

As a result of a successful trial of the SkySiren, Skanska UK announced a mandate of anti-entrapment equipment on all appropriate equipment hired by the business from January 3rd 2012. The business will also be introducing the mandate that all boom lifts operated on their site will need added protection from April 2nd 2012.

Nationwide Platforms also gave a demonstration of the SkyRakBoom, an attachment which forms part of their unique material handling at height solutions. With the ability to be added to a large number of boom lifts, the SkyRakBoom allows the safe attachment and storage of materials up to 90kg on the front of the platform’s basket.

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Like Nationwide Platforms’ other MHAs, the SkyRakBoom is fully CE and LOLER certified and insurance indemnified, as well as being compliant with EN280. All of Nationwide Platforms’ MHAs are designed to avoid manual handling at height and materials being stored on the machine’s non-load bearing handrails.

Speaking on what is a pertinent industry issue at the member’s meeting, the HSE’s Russell Adfield outlined that working at height and effective health risk management in construction were two areas of focus for the HSE in 2012.    

To finish, Nationwide Platforms also gave a demonstration of the SkySentry, a machine attachment designed to prevent unauthorised platform use. The system  offers two entry options, a swipe card system compatible with IPAF’s future PAL smart-card or a programmable four digit pin code.

This technology means that only the hiring manager's approved users have access to the machine as opposed to unauthorised contractors or untrained employees. On top of this, the SkySentry also provides GPS tracking of each platform as well as the ability to 'geo fence' the equipment so that the areas the platform is permitted to operate within (for example within airports or petro-chemical facilities) can be set.

CHSG Chairman Alex Wood, from Lovell Partnership Ltd, said: “The attachments demonstrated by Nationwide Platforms show the clear ways in which steps can be taken forward by innovating for safety. It is through this kind of commitment to developing working at height best practice that the whole industry can continue to improve its working at height safety record.

“The issues of entrapment, machine misuse and material handling at height are major issues that will only be tackled by the commitment shown by businesses like Nationwide Platforms. The business should be recognised for the investment they have made in these areas and the dedication they continue to show to improve best practice.” 

Each of the safety solutions exhibited for CHSG members is the result of research and development into some of the industry’s biggest working at height challenges. As a commitment to improving working at height best practice, Nationwide Platforms offer a consultancy service to all platform users who have a work at height challenge. Further information can be found by emailing innovation@lavendongroup.com.