Equipment involved in protection of ongoing work

 

Dylan Roberts, director of health & safety for Skanska UK said, "The safety of those who work with Skanska is a number one priority for us. Following the tragedy in 2008 [a fatality from crushing on a Skanska UK site] we felt it imperative to make a step change in the training and competence of users of MEWPs and the introduction of additional cone crusher safety measures. I am very pleased that we have finally been able to take this step. We encourage the UK construction industry to follow suit." Palfinger Platforms has entered a growth phase with new products and new markets, Maria Hadlow spoke to managing director Stephan Kulawik at Intermat about the company's plans. The 2012 Intermat might be said to have marked the end of a period of consolidation for Austrian manufacturer Palfinger Platforms.
"Contagion effect"
When Balfour Beatty announced that it was that it was going to rent all its working at height equipment from Nationwide Platforms in the  £750 million project to build a new satellite pier (T2B) at London's Heathrow airport. Three years ago, in the depth of the recession, Palfinger was still in the process of incorporating the Bison and Wumag businesses under its banner. It took the opportunity of the 2009 Intermat to demonstrate the synergy by launching a new range of truck mounts for the 3.5t GVW class, which used the classifier technology from both brands.
Balfour Beatty chose Nationwide to provide powered access and a range of additional safety equipment. This includes the SkySiren anti-entrapment solution, which will be fitted to the majority of on-site boom lifts.
Nationwide will initially supply more than 150 access platforms and will continue to provide equipment to both Balfour Beatty and its subcontractors for the two years remaining of the project. This will include a broad range of access equipment for working at height between 5m and 45m.
The most recent announcement comes from UK fire protection and detection specialists Tyco, which has said that the SkySiren, is to be mandated on all applicable equipment used by Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions. Earlier this Spring, Nationwide Platforms provided Tyco  with the SkySiren for the first time when the system was fitted to equipment involved in ball mill fire protection work on the ongoing construction of the Pembroke Power Station in Wales. Nationwide said, "This application demonstrated that the SkySiren can act as a key safety feature whilst using powered access equipment, especially outside of traditional construction sector projects."
Like Skanska, the mandate issued by Tyco will also be applicable to all boom-type MEWPs used by its supply chain.