Turner Access was given the opportunity to contribute to this year's Construction News Work at Height Supplement, which was published on 21st October 2010.
The article features Turner's Best Practice Systems of Work, product developments, and associated guidance and training.
Download the article as it appears in Construction News: Turner Access for Beta Practice.
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Turner Access for Beta Practice
The BetaStep® is the latest in a long line of leading safety equipment for staff working at height
Turner Access has become well known for its innovative products and commitment to safety improvement. The Work At Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) introduced a hierarchical approach that should be adopted for all work at height activity, including the use of temporary equipment such as scaffolding, Falsework and towers.
The WAHR requires duty holders at the planning stage of a project to justify where the risk of fall cannot be prevented or avoided. When the statutory regulations were introduced, almost all of the aforementioned temporary equipment in use (when erecting and dismantling) could not be used in a way that would enable duty holders to be legally compliant.
Turner Access made and supplied the first universal product solution that enabled most duty holders to comply, in the form of an additional telescopic advance guardrail (PlusGard®). This was developed further for use off-shore to accompany tube and fittings scaffolding.
From Turner Access’ work with the Health and Safety Executive, it emerged that users required a detailed step-by-step instruction manual for all main configurations which ensured that the risk of falling would be eliminated. In response to this, Turner Access produced a comprehensive 50-page erection guide CPG1 after support from the HSE and other key industry groups. This was specifically produced for use with the generic form of scaffolding – tube and fittings.
Training
Following Turner Access’ guidance manual, additional specific and appropriate training was developed not only for scaffolders, but for anyone involved in ensuring compliance with the WAHR, such as planners, managers, supervisors and safety auditors. NASC SG4 Interim Guidance (Appendix A) reflected the need for such erection guidance and training.
New product development
Designers of most new scaffolding, Falsework and tower systems, which may come under development, should nowadays ensure that compliance is inherent in their product design. Turner Access was the first to create such a solution for aluminium towers.
The BetaGuard® is an integral advanced guardrail (AGR) that not only prevents the risk of falls, but also enables users to better comply with the manual handling regulations because of its ergonomic design. Risks commonly associated with standard tower practice have been eradicated, but a key benefit of the invention is its efficiency given that it removes the need for braces and additional platforms. A 4m tower ca be safely assembled and dismantled in only 7-8 minutes, providing efficiency savings can easily be made when using the BetaGuard®.
Subsequently, many major contractors are now either specifying the BetaGuard® or the new concept to be used on their sites. Turner Access’ AGR has been developed for use in three separate tower types: Beta® Tower, Octo® Tower and MAST.
The AGR is available through Turner Access as well as a network of approved rental suppliers (purchase and hire). The BetaGuard® complies fully with the product standard (BS EN1004:2004) and carries the Kitemark after independent assessment and testing by BSI, as required for incorporation into the PASMA training scheme.
The Integral AGR was first of its kind to be introduced into the PASMA training scheme following Turner Access’ previous solution for towers, which was illustrated in the HSE CIS 10 and the HSE/PASMA Don’t Fall for It DVD.
Future plans
The future for the BetaGuard® lies in the use on major construction sites, user recognition of the products safety benefits and subsequent training in conjunction with PASMA. Turner Access’ training department is currently compiling an advanced training curriculum, which will include façade, birdcage and cantilever configurations using the BetaGuard® tower. The product also questions the future of the standard tower. The AGR improves safety, productivity, stock control and is user friendly due to the ease of assembly/dismantle.
The BetaGuard® tower concept will in time become the aluminium tower norm.
Future solutions
Turner Access’ latest invention, the BetaStep®, will be launched coinciding with the introduction of SG10 in November of this year. This will offer users another innovative option to prevent risks of falls when using existing scaffolding and Falsework equipment. Watch out for the BetaStep®.
Turner Access will continue to promote Beta Practice, offering solutions tailored to user requirements and providing unique products and services. The company’s product range consists of: cable suspended access platforms for bridge refurbishment, system scaffolding, aluminium towers, powered access platforms and low level access equipment.
It is without doubt that Turner Access’ innovative products and practices will continue to create interest and deserved recognition, not only in the UK but throughout the world. Scaffolding and access practice that can eliminate the risk of falls at height is something that is after all, necessary worldwide.
