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 - 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

Safety Update - Free Seminar

We like to help you keep up to date when we can and this has just come to our attention.

Free health and Safety event - Working at Heights Seminar to be held in Bradford on Tuesday evening 25th June.

Getting closer with Up and Under

Obviously we will be very happy to help you with your work at height needs whether they be projects at height or over water, or if you require specialist training for safe work at height

Latest Project - Getting Ready for Summer

When we say we work all over the UK we mean it!  Today’s project has a bit of summer promise and a hint of showbiz glamour.

The weather will be better for the holidays

Working with Cormac Solutions, for Cornwall Council, we recently undertook inspections of a range of retaining walls around harbours and beaches.  The council are obviously being proactive in ensuring that we all have safe and enjoyable holidays this summer.

The second part of the project is where the showbiz glamour comes in, no not our team of engineers, attractive as they might be, but the footbridge we were tasked with inspecting was built on Challenge Anneka back in 1991 - for those of a certain age that will bring up memories of helicopters and cat suits, but we better not go there!

It may have Challenged Anneka............. ;o)

Using industrial rope access our engineers - and that is what they are, with qualifications and everything - carried out a detailed, hands on inspection of the whole structure, later preparing a report of their findings. And best of all we were able to keep the bridge largely open throughout the works.

So Cornwall is ready to receive visitors and we have another happy customer - want to join them? Call 01270 58961

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Latest Project - Premier League

I am sorry we have missed a couple of project posts because of how busy we have been with work and our charity commitments, but we have a good one for you today.

Last chance to see ......

Sponsors love to see their logos prominently displayed on TV.  However, when the deal comes to an end, a location that may be prominent, can also be tricky to get at to remove the signs.

Disconnect.......

And remove.

 As you can imagine that is not a problem for our contracting team, so recently we paid a visit to Stoke City's ground to remove a few signs.  Our activities were probably the most exciting thing that the Britannia Stadium had seen all season - oops controversial.  

Whatever your team colours I am sure you will appreciate the photos.

I think we have a fan in the ranks

Got an access problem, installing or removing give us a call 01270 589615 or email for a quote.

Safety Update - Are Ladders Banned?

Ladders are banned aren't they?!?

Well, actually despite the over riding fear of their use, there are circumstances where they can be the safest means of undertaking a task.  The guidance from the HSE seems to be assess the task and choose the most suitable means of access. So Risk Assessment!

As with all access equipment, selection, storage, inspection and safe disposal are important issues that need to be addressed by a competent person.

Entrainment, our training division, offer courses dealing with a range of work at height issues including safe use of ladders and ladder inspection.  These courses can be offered at our training centre or at your site, subject to suitable training areas being available.

Want more info: Call 01270 589615

Acknowledgement: Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0

Recent Projects - Keeping Warm

We were recently asked to combine our rope access skills and our fabrication nouse to solve a clients problem. Thermal movement had led to some slippage of the lagging and it’s protection in a steam generation plant. Working on live equipment we installed new lagging and purpose made covers to bridge the gaps.

Drilling newly fabricated covers

 The client was particularly pleased that the works were undertaken without significant disruption to the plants operations.

Installing new covers with power rivetters

 We have a range of experience of working in and around power plants including:

•  Pipe lagging
• Surface cleaning
• Painting
• Cladding repairs

 If you want to discuss a project please contact 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!

Friday fun

That time of the week again, I thought you'd like to see this ;o)

Safety Update - Dubious Advice

I recently saw this photo posted on Facebook,

It's not true! specially in our line of business

Seriously, if you want safety advice give us a call.

Tel: 01270 589615

Project Report - Great River Ouse Bridge

Out in the dark again, I am sure some of our guys are developing echo location and the ability to hang upside down by their feet ............ actually ;o)

Today's project report is a short one about a pretty large Principal Inspection.  It included a delamation (hammer tap) survey and concrete testing of the 7 span Great River Ouse Bridge near King’s Lynn for Atkins.

Hammer testing all surfaces

The testing comprised 8 No. test panels to the soffit and 4 panels to each of two piers.  We chose to use an underbridge unit, as the most effective means of gaining access to the soffit above the river and waterlogged spans.

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

Recent Projects - Keeping Coffee Safe

After a few weeks of bridges, we have a building for you today.

A recent problem which faced not only the Up and Under specialist access team, but also the customers of a well know coffee shop chain was the spalling of concrete from a building in Reading, Berkshire (not what you want landing in your cappuccino).


 The temporary solution (until funds could be allocated to carry out a full concrete repair) was to protect the face using a fine mesh safety netting to protect the building. Of course the coffee shop did not wish to close and the owner didn’t want to cover the building with expensive scaffolding.

The solution was the use of rope access techniques although, as you can see, Andy had someone looking over his shoulder most of the time.

Look out Andy, you have an admirer

Up and Under (Specialist Contracts) provide many building maintenance solutions and dont miss our new web site www.pigeonpoo.co.uk

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 

Highways Agency Area 10 - Reflections on 5 years of good stuff

This weekend will see the end of AOne+'s stewardship of Highways Agency Area 10. During this time we have had the pleasure of working with a great team based in Warrington.

We have looked back over the past five years of helping to manage this vitally important component in the country’s infrastructure and have come up with a few highlights. Our contribution to keeping the Trunk Roads of the North West in good order have included: 

• More than 2,500 General Bridge Inspections
• Over 1,500 Principal Inspections
• Inputting over 4,500 inspection reports into SMIS
• Checking and updating inventories of ~50 Pre-opening and end of defect liability inspections
• Assessing 215 structures for susceptibility to scour
• Carrying out more than 350 inspections following heavy rainfall/flood events
• Undertaking numerous special and monitoring inspections
• Monitoring the piers, half-joints and internal sections of Bidston Viaduct on a quarterly basis prior to completion of the strengthening works between 2007 -2010
• Assessing thousands of structures to determine their resilience against terrorism
• Monitoring bearings on Thelwall Viaduct and other structures
• Installing (pier location ) reference labelling to help the emergency services
• Helping to maintain the highway lighting
• Installing security measures to reduce the threat of vandalism and terrorism
• Removing graffiti, clearing trash screens, plus clearing and greasing flap valves
• Cleaning and greasing bearings on rail structures
• Determining traffic management, access and rail access requirements plus liaising with specialist suppliers
• In the past year alone, cleaning and removing ~10 tonnes of pigeon droppings from structures, plus installing kilometres of pigeon spikes
• Maintaining and checking AOne+ work at height safety equipment (harnesses and lanyards)
• Solving access problems involving rope access and confined spaces working, work over and alongside deep water, the use of boats and pontoons and reacting to the joys of the british weather. 

 This has been a mammoth effort by our team, frequently working through the night, in all weathers, solving problems as they arose and innovating to meet the clients, the HA’s and the public’s needs for efficiency and safety.

None of this could have been achieved without the spirit of cooperation between ourselves and the AOne+ team. We would like to thank them all for embracing our ‘get it done’ approach.

It remains only to say thank you to all of our team members who have contributed so much over the past five years to the success of this project and to wish all those moving on to the next contract from AOne+ all the best for the future.

Our skill, enthusiasm and experience is available to all Highways Area Trunk Road managers. Contact us 01270 589615 ask for Miles.

Latest Project News - Tunnels with Towers

We recently completed the inspection of the ventilation towers to the Tyne Tunnel.  Conventional rope access was preceeded by the application of centuries old technology to get ropes up and over the rim of the the ventilation towers, the highest being over 40m high.

Big!

 The inspection, carried out by our engineers, was completed in accordance with Highways Agency Standard BD63/07.

Getting hands on

The methods used ensured that we we were able to access all areas of towers with no need for installation of any fixings/anchors.

Best off all the tunnel remained open to traffic throughout these works.

Inspections, testing or investigations our award winning team will find a solution that works for you, contact us  01270 589615

Masonry Repairs to Railway Viaduct

Up and Under (Specialist Contracts) recently completed a repair contract on a masonry viaduct next to the Helmshore Textile Museum between Haslingden and Ramsbottom in Lancashire.  This type of safe work at height is routine for our Contracts Division and we deal with all of the safety and environmental paperwork, if required.

Mortar injection for deep joints

The works included:

• Vegetation removal
• Joint raking
• Re-pointing
• Masonry replacement

Most of the works were undertaken by our skilled team members using rope access to minimise cost and inconnvenience.

Areas prepared for masonry replacement

We are happy to discuss your repair and maintenance needs whether specialist access or routine.

Contact us for a quote, or advice.

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

 

 

 

 

Safety Update - Breaking H&S laws just got costlier

On the 1st October 2012 the HSE’s new cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), came into force.

Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action.

The many businesses that comply with their legal obligations will continue to pay nothing. However, it looks like the Treasury just found another way to raise revenue.

Bridge Inspection for Mouchel

We recently completed the inspection of two structures for Mouchels.  Our engineers completed the inspection using rope access techniques and the use of our award winning pontoon system to gain access to all parts of the structures.

In addition to inspection the job involved a range of concrete testing including:

• taking samples for chloride ion content analysis,
• cover survey,
• half cell measurements,
• core sampling for compressive and cube strength determination
• carbonation tests.

We undertake a range of Bridge Inspection and Maintenance if you think we can help get in touch