Keywords
Citation
(2001), "New safety system bids to cut construction industry fatalities and boost speed of working", Facilities, Vol. 19 No. 7/8. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2001.06919gab.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
New safety system bids to cut construction industry fatalities and boost speed of working
New safety system bids to cut construction industry fatalities – and boost speed of working
Keywords: Construction industry, Health and safety
A new safety device launched recently could greatly reduce the incidence of falls, fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industries.
Ideal for use in scaffolding and roofing trades, the Cable Safe system enables safe, easy access and movement for operatives working at heights.
The brainchild of Stephen Murten, now a director of Doncaster-based Cable Safe Ltd, the new system has been developed and patented with the help of the Sceptre product development team at Sheffield Hallam University. It comprises an overhead cable tensioned between two telescopic supports manufactured from lightweight steel extrusions and easily connected to the lower sections of scaffolding. Operatives clip on to the cable using conventional fall arrest and lanyard devices and are then free to move around completely unencumbered by fixed anchorage points.
Benefits of this system beyond current health and safety guidelines include:
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It rises from ground level, as the height of the scaffolding increases, so operatives remain attached at all times and there is no reason for them to work in an unsafe environment.
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Operatives have much more freedom of movement because there is no need to keep clipping and unclipping anchorage points.
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The freedom of movement means that scaffolding can be erected more quickly. Cable Safe itself is quickly assembled and disassembled. It is easy to transport and to handle in its knock-down form.
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It is believed that fewer scaffolding components will be required on sites, because fewer guard rails are needed, as operatives using Cable Safe are attached at all times.
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The fall arrest devices hang vertically at all times and can be used to their maximum effect, so any fall will be stopped within a very short distance.
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The system can safely support two men falling within its 30m recommended maximum span.
The system received backing from representatives of major construction companies and the Health & Safety Executive at a demonstration earlier this month.
Mr Munrten explained that the inspiration for the device came from his experiences in the construction industry.
"Five years' experience as a contracts manager in the rope access industry (abseil), where safety is of paramount importance, in addition to several years in charge of a small mechanical engineering concern meant that I was very aware of issues relating to the health and welfare of the people I employed and of the public coming into contact with the equipment that we installed, or sites where we worked."
"I have worked with scaffolders and roofers throughout my years in the construction industry, and have seen them working within the confines not only of the current safety equipment available but also the ever-changing guidelines and regulations that apply to their work. This along with the attitude of 'it will never happen to me' made me realise that there must be a better way. So I started thinking about the alternatives, and the idea for Cable Safe was born."
Mr Murten then approached the Sceptre team, part of the School of Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University, who talked through the concept with him and advised him about what product and patent searches he should carry out.
Once this had been done and Mr Murten had patented the idea, Sceptre carried out stress loading calculations for the prototype, which were then confirmed by field tests.
The systems are available from Cable Safe Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1302 726264; Fax: +44 (0) 1302 722438.