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Edward Lowton
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Panel handling: Putting the focus on safety
22 March 2018
Insulated panels in modern construction are sometimes more than 15 metres in length, making handling at height challenging – even in light winds. With structural properties that are quite different from traditional materials, especially with roofing and ceiling, fully qualified installation staff plus health and safety guidelines are key.
Steve Baker, health and safety manager at ISD Solutions, which recently completed a high bay energy-efficient cold storage warehouse extension for Turners (Soham), comments: “Panel installation invariably involves working at height, a high-risk activity in itself. With the use of mobile work platforms, cranes, other contractors working in close proximity and changing weather, you have a complex situation to plan for and to manage.
“H&S training for all is a priority, especially when you have ISO 18001 accreditation. Pre-start meetings, site visits to identify hazards and regular monitoring are essential. Situations can change within minutes and we have to be ready to recognise these and respond appropriately so that those involved remain safe.”
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