Shopfitter breaks back in fall at Westfield in Stratford

A shopfitter has been injured in a fall at the new Westfield Stratford City complex which is due to open next week. Grant Prior - Construction Enquirer - 9th September - 2011

The Health and Safety Executive confirmed to the Enquirer that they have been notified about the accident which took place on Monday.

The injured shopfitter is believed to have fallen from an A-frame ladder while putting the finishing touches to a sports shop.

Site sources feared he may have broken his back but the HSE said it would not be launching an investigation.

Safety campaigners said everyone on the site was under pressure to meet the September 13 opening date.

Westfield said last month that some contractors were working extended hours “voluntarily” to meet the deadline.

One site source said: “People have been working 15-hour shifts down there.

“Most of the cherry pickers were removed from the site a few days before this but the injured lad was looking at something in the ceiling void using a ladder when he fell.”

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Anger over incinerator plans

People living near the site of a giant incinerator - planned on green fields near their homes - used a 60 metre cherry picker crane to show the height of a proposed new chimney. West Sussex Council has shortlisted Hickstead and Goddards Green as two of its preferred locations for a new waste site which could process rubbish from as far away as London. Protesters say it'll mean more noise and pollution. John Ryall reports.

Watch the video here

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Company fined after scaffolding collapse at wedding

A Surrey-based company has been fined after the floor of a marquee collapsed just as 150 guests sat down to enjoy a wedding breakfast.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Block Scaffolding Limited over a scaffold collapse that saw the false floor drop more than four feet at the wedding venue in Newbury.

West Berkshire Magistrates' Court heard the bridal couple had organised for scaffolding to be erected to counteract the slope of the lawn and keep the marquee floor level, at West Woodhay House.

On Saturday 25 September 2010, catering staff were about to serve the first course of the wedding breakfast to guests when the scaffolding beneath the marquee floor collapsed.

Magistrates were told the floor dropped more than four feet in places, causing the bridal couple and 150 guests to fall to the ground along with tables, chairs, cutlery and glassware. Scaffold poles also fell into the marquee, narrowly missing guests.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Joanne Woodcock said:

"The scene after the incident was shocking, with broken glass and crockery everywhere. The collapse must have been terrifying for the bride, groom and their guests.

"A couple's wedding day was ruined and guests unwittingly risked being seriously injured, simply because Block Scaffolding Limited overlooked basic health and safety.

"The fact no one was seriously injured is solely down to good fortune. This prosecution should serve as a warning that HSE will take action against anyone failing to build safe scaffolding."

Block Scaffolding Limited of Myrtle Drive, Blackwater, Camberley, Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,370.

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Advance your career with the IPAF PAL Card

 Don't like heights? Well that needn't stop you getting a PAL Card to advance your career as Colin Sowman discovered. 

'How did it come to this?' I thought as I arrived at Facelift's training centre to take a PAL Card course for operating a MEWP. The idea of ascending to great heights on an access platform filled me with apprehension (if not dread). As an engineer I was well aware of what can cause an access platform to topple over and as a journalist I knew that this occasionally happens. And while such accidents are very rare, I am not a betting man, so anything below 100% certainty is risky in my books. On the other hand, that knowledge (combined with mistrust of height) would ensure I was an attentive trainee.

My trainer for the day was senior instructor Eddie Reast who has survived 14 years in the industry and operates machines on a regular basis - a very good omen. He was assisted by another instructor. One of my fellow trainees was renewing his PAL Card while the other four were, like me, seeking to get their initial licence. PAL Cards (Powered Access Licences) are valid for five years.

In theory The theory session started with a look at the post 2008 categories on the PAL Card where an 'a' suffix refers to MEWPs where the vertical projection of the centre of area
of the platform at the maximum chassis inclination specified by the manufacturer is always inside the tipping lines whereas the 'b' suffix refers to MEWPs where the vertical projection of the centre of area of the platform at the maximum chassis inclination specified by the manufacturer may be outside the tipping lines. In general terms the 'a' indicates the operator remains within the machine's footprint (such as a scissor lift) whereas the 'b' suffix shows that the basket can be extended into 'the tipping zone' as with a boom lift.

Such broad categorisation means that anyone holding a 3b ticket has been trained to operate a mobile boom lift - be that 10m maximum working height or 50m. Here Reast highlighted the importance of the log book which will show employers and site managers that you have the experience and regular practice needed to operate the bigger booms, he told the group.

The engineer in me appreciated the examination of the various parts of an access platform, the discussion on what would happen if a hydraulic pipe burst and a brief outline of relevant legislation (WAH, PUWER and LOLER). "The first thing you look for when you see the machine is to check when it was last inspected," said Reast after explaining employers' responsibilities and testing requirements. My distinct uneasiness was temporarily assuaged as we moved onto the less clear cut parts of the equation - ground conditions and wind speeds. Reast had a clear message: "Facelift always supplies spreader pads when a machine has outriggers and we expect them to be used - regardless of the ground conditions."

Throughout the day Reast emphasized that responsibility for a person's safety remains with the individual - none more so than with wind speed - which is always left to the operator. While it may be easy to find the maximum allowable wind speed on the plate, assessing the prevailing conditions is trickier and he advises all MEWP operators to invest in an anemometer. While pulling on my full body harness Reast advocated using a short fall-restraint lanyard as many connection points are not designed to take the additional strain imposed by stopping a falling person. Checklists I was then ushered towards a Compact 10N scissor lift to put into practice the pre-use checks we had learned: inspection date - check, tilt alarm - check, wheels/tyres condition - check, emergency descent system - check …  

Everything checked out and the instructor (or other course members) could perform an emergency lowering if necessary. The hard standing we were using provided perfect ground conditions and, look as hard as I might, I could see no uncompacted soil, pot holes, hidden drains, slopes or pavements to fall off - in short I had no excuses left so I climbed aboard.
The checks left me reasonably confident the machine would behave as intended and I had no problem using it to check the already very clean gutters around the training centre. U-turns in tight spaces were easily performed, although negotiating a left, right manoeuvre to get through a narrow gap between two other machines while in 'reverse' was more testing. "Hit anything and it's an instant fail," Reast said reassuringly. A diesel-powered Skyjack 9250 scissor was to prove more of a challenge for my stomach as I was invited to test out the extension on which I was standing! There was 15m of nothing between me and the ground which I knew to be very hard and compacted. By the time I could return to the relative safety of the main platform my lunch was considering putting in a reappearance.

Unfortunately the old 'don't look down' advice doesn't really work as MEWP operators have to look down before moving and descending. We then moved on to a boom lift (a 16m working height HA16SPX) a 'b' category machine where the platform 'goes outside the tipping zone'. Experience told me boom lifts are jerky and any wind causes them to wallow sickeningly. Somewhat perturbed I undertook meticulous pre-use checks, climbed into the basket and connected my short lanyard to the anchor point. Reast took me through the familiarization and asked that I check on the travel speed restriction system which should kick in once the basket is raised - it was working well. Having driven around for a few minutes there was no option but to start going up. Now what was the sequence acronym, oh yes, LUST: lower boom, upper boom, slew, telescope. And remember to reverse the sequence when descending. I started to elevate the basket and to my pleasant surprise my lunch wasn't back on the menu.

The machine felt stable and gentle (some would say timid) stick movements minimized boom flexing. Furthermore, I was in control and anticipated the movements so they were not in the least unnerving. Back in the classroom we found we had all passed both the theory and practical tests - but the news came with a warning: "Today doesn't make you an operator - you weren't born into your trade," Reast said. Mindful of the fact that many MEWP operators use the machines intermittently, we were each given a useful IPAF key ring which contains checklists of the pre-start and work site inspections, an Operators' Safety Guide and, of course, a log book. 

Having overcome my apprehension I was pleased with my day and I am now the proud holder of a PAL Card. But I think I'll stick to my word processor and let the professionals do the work at height jobs.
 

This article comes from and is the copyright of IPAF Powered Access 2011, the annual magazine from IPAF. 

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Company ignores previous HSE warning - Now fined for using home made harness

 A Wiltshire firm has been prosecuted for compromising worker safety after using a homemade harness system during a barn renovation project.

Agricultural contractor Ashton Farms Limited, of Steeple Ashton, Trowbridge, exposed employees to a fall from height risk at Manor Farm Grittleton, on Alderton Road, in Chippenham.

Chippenham Magistrates Court heard today (15 July) that when a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspector visited the farm on 15 October last year, she found two workers installing a roof to an outbuilding without adequate edge protection or nets to prevent them from falling.

The court heard they were using an unvalidated homemade running line and harness system, which would not have prevented a fall and which was unlikely to have prevented injury should a fall have occurred.

Ashton Farms was previously served with a Prohibition Notice (PN) on 12 July 2010 at another farm after failing to take all reasonably practicable measures to plan and carry out work at height in a safe, controlled manner.

Speaking after the case HSE Inspector Annette Walker commented:

"In addition to serving the earlier Prohibition Notice, the Health and Safety Executive also had a meeting with Ashton Farms to ensure there was no margin for misunderstanding of the expected standards in working at height on roofs.

"This type of work poses a risk of serious injury and even death, and Ashton Farms could and should have ensured they had suitable protection in place whilst renovating the barn in Chippenham.

"In this instance there was no injury, but the company chose to ignore the previous warnings and continued to carry out work in an unsafe manner."

Ashton Farms Limited of Spiers Piece Farm, Steeple Ashton, Trowbridge, Wiltshire pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2 (1) and 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and were fined £4,000 for each charge (£8,000 in total) and ordered to pay costs of £3,986.

Further guidance on health and safety issues relating to safety when working at height can be found on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk//falls/index

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IPAF Training - In and Out of Africa

KPA (The Kenyan Port Authority) Continues updating staff and equipment with a visit from UK IPAF Instructor - by Patricia Hughes Scott

Gary Phillipson, a Senior IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) Instructor employed by Facelift GB Ltd., England, was in Kenya recently conducting IPAF training courses at the Kilindini docks at Kenya Port Authority for the operators of a Vehicle Mounted Platform.

Gary is an IOSH graduate and specially trained instructor in this field, including health and safety.  This is his first time in Africa, but he has been working in this field of training for over 20 years.

“This is the first time that Facelift have conducted training in Kenya” Gary says.  “And the Kenyans are so hospitable and ready to learn that they are a pleasure to train.  Everyone passed the final test and examination, and that doesn’t always happen. On occasions there are some participants who don’t make the grade, but not in this case.  All 10 of them qualified.”

Although they did so well, Gary feels there is always a need for further training.  “The Port Authorities are going a long way to maintain their record of health and safety, as well as technical knowledge and use of machinery, and that can only be done by on-going training of the employees. 

“It has been a short but very enjoyable visit” Gary said.  “I have been very well looked after, and I am sad to be going home so soon, but I look forward to coming back for both work and a holiday with my family.”

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20% Discount on trailer mount hires during September

To receive your 20% discount off our standard hire rates please quote High Times September to our Hire desk personnel, or you can contact us via our contact forms and again quoting High Times September.   Trailer mounts included in this offer are the Nifty 90, Nifty 120 and Nifty 170.   This offer is for confirmed bookings taken during September 2011, this offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

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F100 Winner for August

Congratulations to our f100 prize winner for August, Bruce Lever who is a business development consultant with Facelift.

His shot was taken at Farringdon Station working on the power upgrade for the London Crossrail project. The 46m Bronto was used with its down reach of nearly 5 meters to work safely over the track giving the clients a stable working platform to install the cable containment and also HV cable installation. 

If you've taken a picture of one of our machines in action why not enter it into our monthly competition Facelift f100

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Tragic fall from stepladder

A Barnet-based wholesaler has been fined after a man died of injuries sustained when he fell from a stepladder.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Ovenpride Wholesale Ltd and manager Amjad Mahmood for failing to provide a safe system of work which, led to the death of handyman Rocco Carofalo.

The City of London Magistrates' Court heard on the morning of 22 April 2009 Mr Carofalo, who was employed as a casual handyman at Ovenpride's Finchley Rd Bakery, was asked to build shelving in the storeroom by the site manager.

During the morning Mr Carofalo had been seen standing on a stepladder while working on the shelving using tools and materials provided by Ovenpride.

At around midday he was found lying on the floor bleeding from a severe head wound, with the stepladder beside him. He died as a result of his injuries on 23 June.

Two HSE Inspectors visited the scene after the incident and issued a Prohibition Notice stopping any work at height because of the unsuitability of all access equipment. A stepladder deemed to be in very poor condition, was taken from the bakery by HSE inspectors.

After the hearing, HSE's Inspector Charles Linfoot said:

"The consequences of this tragic incident will be felt by Mr Carofalo's family for ever but it was so easily preventable. As the risk of a fall was foreseeable, Ovenpride and its manager should have carried out a full site-specific risk assessment and planned and organised the work to be carried out in a safe manner.

"Where access to heights is required, even for relatively short term work, they are ultimately responsible for assessing and planning the work and ensuring that it is carried out in a safe manner using suitable access equipment."

Ovenpride Wholesale Ltd, of Empire Way, Brent pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined a total of £1.

Amjad Mahmood, 57, of Donnington Road, Brent pleaded guilty to also breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined a total of £300 and ordered to pay costs of £200

Ladder Inspection and training

HSE News

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Protecting workers safety during civil unrest

The British Safety Council is urging businesses across England to take sensible precautions to ensure that workers are kept safe and secure during any outbreak of public disorder, such as the recent street disturbances.

Many business premises were attacked, looted and in some circumstances set on fire over several days and employers need to be mindful of their duty of care towards employees. Certain employees are particularly vulnerable during outbreaks of unrest or unexpected events such as those that have arisen in recent days.

“It is a wonder to me that no worker was seriously injured as shops, homes, vehicles, police stations and warehouses were attacked and in some cases set alight,” said Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council in a message issued to the organisation’s members. In the communication he extends his and the organisation’s support to those members affected by these troubled times.

He goes on to state: “Shift, lone, evening and night workers are of course of particular concern at times such as these but we need to consider the safety of all workers and risk can be mitigated by following sensible precautions.”

Contained in the message was a series of points to consider during the unrest to help employers and employees to deal with unforeseen circumstances. The message urges calm and factual communication to inform and avoid alarm, such as making evacuation procedures known; precautions to consider for lone and shift workers, like clearing external equipment, flammable liquids, rubble and debris; and what to do if the worst does happen are your business is attacked.

The Carphone Warehouse, which is a member of the British Safety Council, saw some of its outlets attacked. “We can confirm that a number of our stores have been damaged in the riots and whilst this is very frustrating, thankfully none of our team members were present and therefore not hurt,” said their CEO Andrew Harrison. “We’ve taken all appropriate measures to first and foremost protect the safety and well-being of our people and where possible safe-guard our stores and our ability to keep trading.”

“Our sympathies are with the small businesses and people whose homes and property have been badly damaged within the local communities,” he added.

Botha adds: “These points are not exhaustive, but at the very least, they should help employers and their workers deal with any unforeseen events if they occur over the coming days, although I know we all hope that it remains quiet and we can return to normal business.”

British Safety Council

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