Latest Project - Very Big Things

I though we'd have some fun with Movie Maker today.  As part of our extensive range of services, we are often asked to monitor structures for movement or damage.  

Usually this is over a long period of time, but sometimes it it requires instant feedback.  The video below gives you a glimpse into our world.



 
Turn on sound for the full effect - and no this is a sound effect not the bridge, it was fine.

Safety Update - Respect Our Roadworkers

Safety within roadworks is important to us, it is our lives that are at risk.  This video from the Highways Agency shows how ridiculous it is to drive carelessly and too quickly around our workplace.


Please keep us in mind next time

Safety Update - What to do about training?

Common questions we are asked at the training arm of the Up and Under Group, Entrainment:

• What training should we give our staff
• When should we do it?
• And of course, how much will it cost?

The HSE suggest a structured approach to deciding upon training needs which can also be applied to other types of training. All of this information is explained in their five-step approach:

• Decide what training your organisation needs
• Decide your training priorities
• Choose your training methods and resources
• Deliver the training
• Check that the training has worked

All of this sounds simple, but then most of the best ideas are. for the HSE guide to training INDG 345 go here.

If you need training provision or help with any of the 5 steps above call us on 01270 589615

Friday Fun - Oh please, yes!

It is sad that some of these ideas are never adopted, this appeals on so many levels.

 

If you ask questions like this you get answers like this bridge, conclusion?  

Ask more questions!

Latest Project - A stitch in time.........

This week it is a report from our contracts division.  That well known phrase "a stitch in time saves nine" is especially applicable to retaining wall alongside fast flowing water.  We have seen £1,500 repointing projects become £150,000 reconstruction jobs.

Before

After

Recently we were commissioned by a long standing client to do some wall maintenance ahead of the winter, here are some of the results.  It is never going to look like a new wall, but a measure of integrity has been restored.

Before

After

When budgets allow a complete repoint is probably on the cards, but now the wall looks like it will survive the winter.

Tidy

Legislation Update - New driving laws

Just a heads up on the new driving offences and increased that have recently come into force. 

"What do the new laws cover?
Many of the offences are covered by laws that already exist, but have been hard to enforce because police had to go through the courts. Now police can issue an on-the-spot fine, handed to you on the road, so it’ll be easier for them to do so.
The standard fine for a number of offences has gone up, including:

• Speeding
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Driving on the hard shoulder
• Ignoring traffic directions

And 2 new bits of ‘careless driving’ have been made an offence:

• Tailgating
• Lane-hogging, usually in the middle lane

What is tailgating and lane-hogging?
Many drivers might be familiar with these things without necessarily knowing what they’re called.

• Tailgating - This is when someone drives too close to the car in front. It’s usually done by drivers trying to force the car in front to move faster or to change lanes.
• Lane-hogging - Many drivers use the middle lane as a ‘cruising lane’ and drive too slowly. This is dangerous and can force cars to slow down quickly. "

 Source: Post Office web site

Which existing fines are going up?
	Offences include	Was	Now
Source: Department of Transport
Non-endorsable fixed penalty notice (where the driver does not receive points on their licence)	Failing to give way, obscuring registration number, stopping on the hard shoulder, misuse of headlights, sounding horn at night	£30	£50
Endorsable fixed penalty notice (points issued)	Using a mobile while driving, speeding, reversing on a motorway, not stopping at a red light	£60	£100
Non-endorsable fixed penalty notice	Failure to display tax disc, not wearing a seat belt when driving, driving without an MoT certificate	£60	£100
Endorsable fixed penalty notice offence	Failure to identify driver	£120	£200
Endorsable fixed penalty notice offence	Driving without third party insurance	£200	£300

Friday Fun - Ladies Night

As you might imaging when the ladies at Up and Under plan a night out it isn't normal.  So it was this week when a group of staff and friends visited the local climbing wall.

Getting started - everyone off the ground

The night, supported by the Group,  started off with a little traversing and then got more serious as the newly initiated climbers began their assault on the wall's various problems.  This wall isn't at all easy being either vertical or overhanging. 

As the evening progressed everyone got higher and higher, coming to grips with the unfamiliar skills.  On top of the climbing the ladies had to be introduced to the intricacies of harnesses, ropes and belaying techniques.

 

Lorna and Sue

Emma at the big red button

Kaye crossing a red line

Sue about to reach the top

I believe Sue was the star of the night, not just for her ascents to the top of the wall, but for not breaking a single finger nail ;o)  From the comments I have heard it looks as though this might not be a one off.

Thanks to Lorna for organising the evening.

Latest Project - Busman's Holiday

You no doubt imagine that many of our team don't have a sedentary life outside work.  Enthusiastic climbers often finding there way onto the local climbing wall when the weather puts the crags off limits.

Positioning the tensile test apparatus

So today's project report finds one of our teams undertaking a professional study of an artificial climbing structure.  We all give holds a bit of a tug or tap before hanging on them, but here we are ensuring that the underlying fixings are secure.

Testing selected fixings

The project involved testing selected fixing points, on an established wall, to ensure that they still meet the requirements of BS EN 17572 .

Although not a normal part of routine climbing wall maintenance, this process gives operators confidence in the integrity of their facility.

We offer a range of services to climbing wall and other high level activity providers including anchor testing, harness & equipment inspection plus remodeling and repairs.  Need help? Call 01270 589615

Safety can be sensible

So safe people, how about this sign?  Sometimes things can get a little too complicated isn't it nice when somebody simplifies things.

There is a serious message here.  

Delivering a safety message or creating systems for people to use?

Need help simplifying your safety messages?

Call Up and Under for safety consultancy, or just to have a common sense chat. 

Tel: 01270 589615

Friday Fun - How not to do rope access

We hope that our safe and efficient approach to building inspection and maintenance is well known enough that we don't have to point fingers at the opposition, but we feel this is probably going too far.

Just to be clear - This is NOT and Up and Under job ;o)

Latest Project - City Centre NO Congestion

When it comes to carrying out detailed inspections it pays to get up close and personal with structures.  One of the down sides is often the congestion and inconvenience caused to road users and pedestrians.

Detailed record keeping is essential

So it will come as a relief to the people of Birmingham that Up and Under were able to use clever rope (and wire) tricks to avoid the need for traffic management while carrying out these works.

Measuring the extent of defects

It is sad that nobody will actually be aware that the works are going on, looks like no tips on this job then.

Need work carrying out with minimal fuss and disruption?  Call us 01270 589615

Safety Update - Changes to RIDDOR

We would like to remind you that there is another change to safety legislation that came into effect today - RIDDOR 2013

The principal changes are:

"From 1 October 2013, RIDDOR 2013 comes into force, which introduces significant changes to the existing reporting requirements. 
The main changes are to simplify the reporting requirements in the following areas:

• the classification of ‘major injuries’ to workers is being replaced with a shorter list of ‘specified injuries’;
• the previous list of 47 types of industrial disease is being replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness;
• fewer types of dangerous occurrence require reporting.

There are no significant changes to the reporting requirements for:

• fatal accidents;
• accidents to non-workers (members of the public);
• accidents which result in the incapacitation of a worker for more than seven days.

Recording requirements remain broadly unchanged, including the requirement to record accidents resulting in the incapacitation of a worker for more than three days. "*

For more info see "Reporting accidents and incidents at work A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)"

*Source HSE indg 453