Capital Equipment News May 2015

WORK @ HEIGHT: REGIONAL NEWS - GAUTENG

THREE WORKERS FALL FROM HEIGHT What happened? A team of three workers was dismantling a scaffold (10m high) next to a storage tank when the scaffold collapsed (fell over) as the result of unstable ground below the scaffold. One employee unhooked his fall protection and jumped off the scaf- fold before it fell. The other two fell with it. Injuries included a fracture on the bridge of the nose and laceration to an arm. One employee had no injuries.   Causes of event: • Incorrect ground condition and lack of scaffold inspection. • Lack of communication between supervisors of the workers for the two different operations, excavations/scaffold dismantling. • Risk assessments for the two operations apparently did not identify the need for co-ordination and communication between the two operations. • Lack of awareness of the employees involved in the operations to recognise the potential for the collapsing of the scaffold when destabilised by excavations. • Lack of control over dismantling of scaffolding. Corrective actions: • Persons appointed to supervise excavations to ensure excavations are back- filled or shored appropriately • Review risk assessments, both operations, to identify hazards created by exca- vations around scaffolding. • Supervisors from both operations to be debriefed to identify their competencies in hazard identification. • Review System in place for checking ground conditions prior to scaffold erection and dismantling • Dismantling sequence of scaffolds to be assessed prior to removal Relevant legislation: • Construction regulations-7 Risk Assessment, 8 Fall protection, 11(d) Excavation Work, 12 Demolition work, 14 Scaffolding • Construction Regulation 5 Principal Contractor and Contractor • Construction Regulation 6 Supervision of construction work These are references to the old Construction regulations and need to be updated. LAYHER A LEADER IN SCAFFOLDING TECHNOLOGY For more than 60 years the name Layher has been synonymous worldwide with high-quality and practically tested scaffolding systems and supplying an extensive range of services to the industry. Layher with headquarters in Gueglin-gen-Eibensbach in Germany, can be regarded as one of the largest system manufacturers in the world, known for their product innovations and their customer service. The South African sub- sidiary is one of 30 in the world network and ensures that the local clients receive the same dedicated service synonymous with the company’s standards. They have influenced new developments with their ideas which have significantly led to their leadership in scaffolding technology. The Layher Speedy Scaf is an unbeatable quick-to –assemble insertion frame scaf- folding which consists of five basic elements, assembly frame, scaffold deck, guardrail, diagonal brace and base plate which guarantees a speedy assembly time. The Layher Allround Scaffolding, the original concept with all-round flexibility which has taken the place of conventional scaffolding technology. It has become established in the market as a synonym for modular scaffolding. The Layher Event System is based on Allround scaffolding and caters for grand- stands, stage, camera towers and a variety of entertainment orientated events. The optimum solution for working at height are the Layher ladders and rolling towers, man- ufactured with the latest materials and conforming to the most stringent safety regulations.

Specialist access systems company SkyJacks has joined the global rental equipment and industrial services group, Waco International. Skyjacks is a leading supplier of scaffolding, hydraulic access equipment and suspended platforms. Skyjacks is nowgeared to push even higher as they complement their impressive local experience with the backing of an international group. SkyJacks is renowned as a leading access system provider to the construction, mining, building and industrial maintenance industries.They hire and sell the most advanced industrial products and are the sole distributor of the Skyclimber range in South Africa. For more information on SkyJacks’ solutions call them on 011 397 2730 (Suspended Platforms and Alu-Scaff) or 011 397 6594 (Hydraulic Access) or visit: How high do you need to go?

www.skyjacks.co.za

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