Latest Project - Inspection Clip-ped

It sometimes happens that we have our confined spaces and rope access skills tested on the same project.  The principal inspection of Pen Y Clip Viaduct was one such occasion.

We discover we have an engineer with an art A level

Firstly we had to inspect the over 100 voids per span requiring the engineers to employ confined spaces techniques to safely access all section of the structure.

On the inside

Then it gets more visually exciting with the inspection of the piers using rope access techniques.  This reduced the amount of traffic management required to a minimum thus causing minimum inconvenience to the road users.

Clever rope-work brings all elements within touching distance

We are fortunate to have a team of experienced engineers with a host of access skills, giving our clients the best of all worlds.

Can we help you? call 01270 589615

So Many Manholes, But What Do They All Do ?

 
One of our confined space teams have recently been solving a local client’s puzzle.

Expert Logistics are in the process of expansion requiring further services running beneath their site.

The number and location of manhole covers around the site proved a real headache to the maintenance manager, until he called in the problem solvers.


Our team were able to access the chambers and confirm suitable ducts for running additional services.

The nature of the access chambers required a safe system of work utilising confined space skills.

The alterative solution would have resulted in large excavations and disruption to a busy site.

Call us on 01270 589615 if you have a similar headache and want a professional low impact solution.

Problem Solved! 

 

Latest Project - Culverts and Bridges

A recent project demonstrated the versitility of the Up and Under Inspection offering.  The works included the requirement for engineers trained in confined space working to undertake principal inspections of two culverts. 

Following on from this the same team was able to undertake the inspection of a single span underbridge and a 12 span viaduct, this time utilising a MEWP which - you guessed it - they were also qualified to use.

So what if they needed to use rope access to get to some parts of the structure - yes right again - they could have done that oh and a pontoon for inspection over water - got it covered.

So what we are saying is that we can offer you a comprehensive inspection package with Engineers with a wealth of professional and technical experience.

So what can we help you with? Inspection, Testing, Investigation?  Problem structures?
Contact us on 01270 589615

More Innovation - Remote Inspection of Culverts

Although we are convinced, based on 26 years of experience, that a close quarter inspection by an experienced engineer is the best way to determine the condition of a structure. There are, however, times when this is either not safe or is impractical.

Our latest innovation gets around the problem often suffered when using CCTV; that being that conventional crawlers don't deal with invert obstructions or deep water very well.

Does this look like it might help?



Want to know more? Call us 01270 589615

Safety Update - Poor Safety Costs

And they are sending out the bills!

You might remember that a while back we advised you that the HSE would charge for a range of interventions where H&S breaches were found. Well an update on the governments 'Fee for Intervention' taken from the HSE Board meeting on 30 January 2013 revealed that first invoices were sent out the week commencing 21 January.

“The total sum invoiced for the first three months (Oct-Dec 2012) was £727,645 - in respect of 1,419 invoices. The average amount invoiced was £513 with 10% of invoices having a value greater than £1,000 and 70% less than £500. The independent members of the disputes panel have yet to be announced , though the panel is expected to meet for the first time in March.” - source: HSE published data.

You have been warned!  Health and safety Issues? let us help:

Health and Safety Consultancy - Call 01270 589615
Safety Training - www.entrainment.co.uk - we practice what we teach!

Latest Project - Waterloo

No, not the battle, the ABBA song, or even the sunset, it's the Bridge we are talking about today.  Bridges over the thames hold a special place in our hearts at Up and Under. 

The inspection of Battersea Bridge in 1988 was our first and since then we have undertake dozens of projects on 15 of the road crossings on the tidal Thames in the centre of London.

Correct Bridge....... Check!

They are all special in their own way, either because of their design or because of a feature of the particular project, but most of us enjoy the time in the spotlight that Tower bridge commands.  Anyway, back to today's story:

This job comprised the inspection of the internal parts of the piers.  We collected a range of condition and dimensional data in order to prepare a report for our client. 

It is essential everyone knows what they are doing here!

The project relied on a wide range of our skills.  Working on the Thames requires consideration of tides, arrangement of safety boats and liaison with the Port of London, with whom we have an excellent, long standing relationship.

Mucky but still smiling

Internally we needed a carefully devised combination of confined spaces and rope access techniques plus bridge engineering expertise to meet the technical and safety elements of the brief.

This is the type of job where we excel and we will be back in London very soon to examine another landmark.

Rope access or confined spaces, inspection or maintenance contact us 01270 589615

Latest Project - M5 Motorway Inspections

Being access specialists doesn't mean we always go for the most exciting means of carrying out an inspection.

On the contrary we select the most appropriate means of access, giving the client the best value solution.  Recently while conducting a hammer tap and visual surveys of the 4 side spans of 2 I/C bridges on the M5 we emplyed the most appropriate means  which was

Scaffold Tower

Oh yes and we needed some

Rope Access

This bridge is interesting in that it has been strengthened using bonded steel plates; these were also included in the inspection.

We chose rope access to undertake the inspection of the soffit above the revetment, while tower scaffolding was selected, for its efficiency, in the areas of the soffit between the bottom of the revetment and the pier.  Having a multi skilled team of inspection engineers made this switch between techniques practical and efficient.

The works were completed by Kev, Darren, Rob and Stuart to te satisfaction of all concerned.

For complete solutions, rope access, confined space, conventional or access over water, contact us 01270 589615 

Helping Amey Keep Sheffield Running

 We recently completed two culvert condition surveys for Amey as part of their Sheffield PFI contract.  Up and Under are a long standing supplier to Amey of a range of services including speciailst access inspection investigation and testing services.

This job  involved the inspection of two culverts to determine their condition plus gathering data to allow the highway load capacity to be assessed.  Inspecting these hidden parts of the transport network is essential to its effective and safe operation. 

As you see, it is not an easy place to work, but with the right team, training and equipment we are able to undertake the works safely and professionally.

If you need culverts inspecting or repairing we are happy to discuss your needs. Our services include:

• Inspection
• Training
• Repairs
• Survey
• Dimensional checks
• Intrusive investigation 
• Safety escort
• Rescue services

Confined spaces, over water or rope access call 01270 589615

 

 

 

 

Transportation Consultants

Lost amongst all of the Olympics and holidays was the CIHT Consultants Directory where Up and Under found themselves ranked 77th out of 149 consultantants offering transportation related services.  Although we were not able to compete with the Atkins, Arups and WSPs (who were ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively) we were well placed against many other well known names in the industry .

We have continued to grow the range of services to both structure owners and other consultancies.  We carry a range of qualifications and accreditations specific to transport related asset management.

Whether it is conventional inspections or works requiring specialist access we are always happy to help. Give us a call 01270 589615.  We are also interested in export partnership arrangements.

New Training Facility

Entrainment was able to use their re-vamped indoor confined space training facility for the first time this week and it was hailed as a great success by both sudents and instructors.  The Indoor manhole/crawling gallery combination allows our instructors to provide a range of challenging training scenarios for trainees in controlled conditions not available in 'live' confined spaces. 



What's round this corner?

Jon Eeles, Chief Instructor, said "In this facility we can really push the trainees and ensure they are learning important skills.  All of this in a safe, controlled environment."



A successful escape!

Entrainment has a number of health and safety courses running in December and January including confined space entry, asbestos awareness, work at height, ladder inspection and harness use.  Call jon on 01270 589615 or contact jon.e@upandundergroup.com