New First Aid Rules

Changes to the rules about the HSE approving First Aid training come into force tomorrow. The HSE have issued guidance for employers.

Under the amended regulations the requirement for workplace first aid training providers to be approved by the HSE is removed from 1 October 2013.The amendments cover carrying out a first aid needs assessment and selecting a first aid training provider.

Friday Fun - Building Bridges

Thanks to Cemex for this one.

If only it was that simple. Everyone knows you should have wheel chocks to stop the driver reversing over the edge. Pah, totally unrealistic ;o)

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

Friday Fun

Just to prove we don't have all the fun, this photo recently appeared on Facebook.

Epic!

Latest Project - Building in tricky positions

Building a 300 x 300 x 1500 concrete column sounds like a straightforward job for any builder. So why call Up and Under?  

Foundation cast on top of blinding concrete with formwork in place for the column

Well this particular column is in a cave - designed to support the roof - at the bottom of a 20m cliff, in a beauty spot.

The concrete column, injection pointed to the roof

All the materials had to be transported along a narrow track, concrete had to be mixed and lowered down the cliff face before being poured into the formwork.  When the shutters were struck the column was faced with locally sourced stone.

Stone clad, with ground restored

Need a problem solving?  call us 01270 589615.

Assessing Risks - "..they can never be eliminated."

It was refreshing to read Judith Hackitt's (Chair of HSE) Blog ,when talking about the offshore industry's response to the recent helicopter tragedy.  

She commented: "There is a maturity of understanding which is shared by everyone that risks can be managed, but they can never be eliminated."

I would like to believe that there is a similar attitude demonstrated in the best companies in the construction industry.  It is always interesting to note that the more hazardous an activity, the lower the relative number of accidents seems to be.

From my many years of climbing and mountaineering I can easily understand this.  You develop an internal sense that increases your level of attention as the number, and severity, of hazards increase.  What you are doing is assessing risks, constantly then responding.  THe effectiveness of the response is determined by training and experience. Even the best can get it wrong and suffer the consequences.

The formal written risk assessment does many things, a couple of the most useful being to share knowledge and communicate to all members of a team.  Often they are seen as a record for backside covering, but this is looking at the process from the wrong end.

Today I am back in real world after a brief excursion into the mountains, I won't forget that "...hazards never go away" (Judith Hackitt's Blog).

If we can assist you with preparing risk assessment or providing risk assessment training feel free to contact us on 01270 589615

Making Good Decisions

I spent yesterday sea kayaking off the coast of Anglesey.  I was acting as a mock student for a group of aspirant leaders.  As it was a training course there was a detailed, well thought out risk assessment.  We had been well briefed and knew what we had to do.

However it didn't stop there. Throughout the day everyone in the group continued to make decisions based on the changing conditions and unfolding opportunities.  We communicated our varying states of fatigue and desires to try to squeeze through ever narrowing slots in the jagged rocks.

It all worked out well with all of the paddlers going home safely after an exciting day.  so, thank goodness for the risk assessment.  mmmmmmm, it probably goes deeper than that, the whole team had a good appreciation of the risks involved and the skills to deal with the conditions. The risk assessment can only ever provide a framework for a safe day, real safety relies on the right culture,  communication and people making good decisions.

If you want to talk to us about developing an excellent culture of safety call 01270 589617