Toppling tree

The past week has seen high winds sweep across the UK with Sussex holiday venue Littlehampton battling particularly strong gales. Various incidents were reported with one huge tree toppling over and narrowly missing a number of nearby homes. Thankfully no one was injured and it eventually came to rest in gardens.

Local tree surgeons used Facelift to help survey what remained of the unstable tree. The company used a British made Ascendant 17m to help make the remaining part completely safe.

Facelift commented ‘It’s very common for us to be called in to assist tree surgeons to make situations like this free from further risk. This type of machinery allows you easy access to all areas without having to put anyone in harms way’.

Ladder training - can you tick the box?

Anthony Gower Smith a 73 year old school caretaker has successfully claimed damages against his local authority employer by demonstrating their failure to train him to correctly use a stepladder. He claimed that this failure was a major contributory factor in the injuries he sustained in a fall from a 1.8m stepladder. Mr Gower-Smith is claiming £50,000 in damages after spending time in an intensive care unit with a fractured skull, fractured cheek bone and kidney damage.Following this incident Mr Don Aers, Chairman of the Ladder Association has issued a statement highlighting the link between training and safety. He is reiterating his previous call to employers to address the training requirements when using ladders and stepladders.

“Training is the most important tool to reduce falls from height. Users expect to receive formal training on other types of access equipment such as access towers and work platforms, so why not on ladders?"

“Although it seems straightforward, it’s essential to decide if a ladder is the right piece of equipment through risk assessment. Then to choose the right type of ladder and to know how to use it safely. It’s about taking an informed, common sense approach to working at height.”

“The Ladder Association has long advocated the need for formal training to combat the potentially dangerous mentality practiced and entertained by those who rely solely on learning on the job. There is no room for this sort of complacency.”

“For uncomplicated, short duration work, ladders and stepladders remain a good option, particularly when you consider the global risk of using other types of access equipment that take much longer to erect and dismantle.”

“With an estimated two million ladders in daily use, the need for professional training has never been more pressing, which is why the association actively supports the Health & Safety Executive’s ‘Shattered Lives’ campaign.”

Can you tick the box?

For more information on ladder training please click here.

Prototype hydro access platform

We recently received these pictures of what is believed to be a prototype hydro access platform under development in Spain with the assistance of the local fire brigade!!

To view this amazing industry advancement just click here    

If you’ve found anything interesting be it fact or fun and you’d like to share it with us please send it to marketing@facelift.co.uk

Facelift expands scissor fleet

Facelift has recently taken delivery of its first 10 Compact 12DX machines, bringing its scissor fleet to just over 300 units. Manufactured by French supplier Haulotte, the Compact 12DX is a brilliant piece of machinery and has few equals when it comes to rough terrain work. The Compact 12's most valuable asset is its extremely tight turning circle, having an outside turning radius of 3.73m, this, coupled with being a half metre smaller in width than many of its competitors makes it a strong proposition for the most difficult of site conditions. The machine can cope with gradients of up to 40%, provide a working height of 12.2 metres, with the differential controls allowing much simpler and safer operator handling. The big deck, 2.50m x 1.50m platform, with roll out 1.2m deck extension, provides a large and safe working area, and has a generous carrying capacity of 450kg.

Frank Page Operations Director commented "The Compact 12 is a great piece of kit and extremely popular with customers, so much so, we're looking forward to ordering further machines in near the future"

Facelift supports 'Shattered Lives Campaign'

Facelift is pleased to announce its support of the HSE's (Health and Safety Executive). Shattered Lives Campaign, also endorsed by IPAF (International Powered Access Federation).

The campaign is targeting those most at risk of a slip, trip or fall at work and those who are best placed to take action which will help prevent accidents occurring.

The focus of the campaign is to raise awareness of the risks and help those involved to take simple action that will prevent these incidents.

To encourage action and get results Facelift are pleased to offer customers a £20.00 discount on our published training prices. Please quote 'Shattered Lives Campaign' when phoning to book your course and this offer will be applied immediately. This discount is valid until 31st December 2008.

Getting the very best out of powered access is only possible if you have been trained.

Make a difference this year and prevent further shattered lives. Call 0800 072 55 72 to book your course now.

For more information relating to the Shattered Lives Campaign go to Shattered Lives Campaign

Rainham Ladies Race for Life 2008

Sunday saw the girls from our Rainham depot take part in the Race for Life. Lisa, Sandy, Rebecca, Tracey and Joanne put their best foot forward to complete the 5 kilometre race for Cancer Research UK.

Managing Director Gordon Leicester promised to double the girls sponsorship money, but only if they wore grass skirts for the whole event, and as you can see from the picture they definitely aimed to collect!

In total the team have raised over £600.00 for the charity and would like to thank everyone for their support and the donations received.

If you still wish to make a donation simply visit..... http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/rebeccapage2

Bronto does land sea and air

Facelift recently worked with offshore service company Oceanteam to help them survey a huge 'A' frame based on their multi-functional cable installation barge, the 92 metre CLB Explorer. The barge is used to lay power cables on the seabed. On deck is a large cable burial plough which is overboarded to the seabed to plough the cables to required depth for protection. The 'A' frame serves as the launch and recovery device for the plough. Dave Burns, Equipment Superintendent from Oceanteam said 'After the 'A' frame's regular load testing was completed, Facelift's 34 metre Bronto was lifted onto the barge using a 50 tonne crane hired from Quigleys in Manchester. The Bronto then provided the surveyors with access to all areas of the structure which were due for inspection. Its versatile range of movements combined with its height caused a minimum amount of disruption to both crew and deck'. Needless to say the 34 metre is one the UK most popular machines and has been used in many unusual circumstances - but after this have we really seen it everywhere?

£1000 Reward Offered...

For information leading to the safe return of our stolen Nifty 170 HDT trailer mounted access platform. Serial No 17-11804

The trailer was last seen in the Churchyard of St Gabriels Church, Middleton, Cheshire at approximately 11.00pm on Sunday March 30th.

If you have any information which could help trace the whereabouts of our machine please don't hesitate to contact Jane Lawrence on 0800 072 55 72 or email jlawrence@facelift.co.uk

Please note that all calls will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.

Getting the message across

Ian Reynolds one of Facelifts experienced training instructors has recently delivered a very successful presentation at the Chimney Works Trade Show in Harrogate.

Ian presented the Working At Height topic to a large audience with some very positive feedback from members - many requesting further information on how to work safely at height.

The National Association of Chimney Sweeps wrote a letter of thanks to Facelift relating to Ian's work, reinforcing his presentations strong impact, content and outcome.

Well done Ian!

Facelift expand Upright fleet

Facelift has taken delivery of its first four Upright SL30SL machines and the unique rough terrain lifts are proving a hit with customers. Frank Page Operations Director said: 'Facelift has earned a reputation for providing a total powered access solution with a broad range of products at the right price. The SL30SL is a fantastic bit of kit and for rough terrain work it really has no equal. We have had no problems renting out the first four and will look at taking further machines in the future as we expand our growing fleet'.

Manufactured in the UK by UpRight Powered Access, the SL30SL has a unique speed levelling system that makes it ideal for rough terrain. The oscillating axle keeps all four wheels on the ground, even when operating on an incline. This means the machine can be used safely in conditions that are impossible for other types of platform and the working area always remains level.

For further information call 0800 5215 95