17 June 2014

A Costain training day at Frankley Water Treatment Works highlighted a safer, quicker way of working for both the Costain team and subcontractors.

Eleven members of the team working on the £20 million update of the Severn Trent Water treatment works attended a one-day training course to gain a PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association) certificate. The award shows they know how to safely assemble, dismantle, relocate and alter a mobile access tower without risk of injury.

As James Colclough, Site Manager, explained, the aim was to ensure as many site workers as possible can safely assemble and dismantle the access towers.

“We are now carrying out M&E (mechanical and electrical) commissioning on the treatment works’ new contact tank. This involves working inside the tank on mobile access towers. Having not just Costain people but also subcontractors who are PASMA qualified gives us far more flexibility and also means we do not have to bring in outside scaffolders.”

The attendees split into two teams.  One set up a tower using the 3T through trap door method, the other used a BoSS ladder span which incorporated the BoSS cam-lock advance guard rail (AGR).

It soon became clear that the AGR system was much easier and quicker to use than the trap door system, saving around 30 minutes on each assembly and disassembly.  It was also safer: the guard rails were already in place before the operator mounted the platform, ensuring the operator was not exposed to the risk of falling from an unguarded platform.

As a result Frankley is now changing all its mobile access towers to the AGR system.

Said Jay Standen, Costain Delivery Manager: “The cost impact of moving to AGR systems is minimal in comparison to the increased safety and time saving. We will be trialling these new methods over the next few months and will provide AGR system training to everyone on site.”

Ends

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