10 minute read
Protecting ladder users from COVID-19
“Keeping ladder users safe now means protecting them from Coronavirus as well as falls,” says The Ladder Association, as they release new guidance for health and safety managers.
New guidance from the Ladder Association is helping managers keep ladder users safe during the coronavirus outbreak, whether they’re attending a ladder training course or using ladders in the workplace. The lead industry body has offered its advice on the challenges being faced by those responsible for the health and safety of ladder users as they plan a return to work. In a new guidance document released freeof-charge to the industry, the Ladder Association delves into issues such as how long the virus lasts on ladders, how rescue plans will be affected and how workers can minimise the risk of the virus spreading through proper cleaning of equipment and materials, particularly if they have been handled by multiple people.
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Importantly, it includes advice on how workers can maintain physical distancing while using ladders, with a focus on two activities that need to be considered carefully: stabilising a ladder and raising a ladder.
As Ladder Association training starts to resume in some areas, they have also addressed the need for people to be protected from coronavirus during their course. They remind us of the importance of Ladder Association training and reassure managers of the protective measures they can expect to be in place during a course, from e-learning options to minimise time spent at the training centre to increased hygiene and cleaning. They also explain how Ladder Association cardholders can get an extension if their qualification is due to expire before it’s safe for them to visit a training centre.
Gail Hounslea, Ladder Association Chairman and Managing Director of Ladderstore, commented:
“Keeping ladder users safe now means protecting them from Coronavirus as well as falls and other injuries. Businesses are facing the unprecedented challenge of getting people safely back to work during a pandemic. Ladders are only a small part of what they’ve got to consider, but we realised we could use our expertise to support all those whose workers will be heading back up ladders and need to ensure every safety aspect is covered.” Read the Ladder Association’s guidance on keeping ladder users safe during the Coronavirus outbreak: ladderassociation.org.uk/keepingladder-users-safe-during-covid-19- outbreak/
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Kärcher helps the nation get back to work
While most of the nation’s workforce has been compelled to work from home or pause working altogether, it’s now time for the working world to get back on its feet. Kärcher, renowned German manufacturer of professional cleaning products, is helping organisations to prepare a safe and hygienic workplace through a series of specially prepared online resources and virtual training available to all.
It has never been more important to ensure a clean and safe environment for both employees and customers. Expert in effective cleaning, Kärcher recognises that different working environments require different cleaning regimes and equipment and its newly launched online cleaning resource reflects this.
Available via www.kaercher.com/uk/ professional/protect-your-people. html it comprises a useful guide, cleaning tips and checklists pertinent to multiple workplace areas.Many businesses will have purchased new cleaning equipment or increased the head count in cleaning teams to optimise hygiene processes, both routes necessitating training. Kärcher’s new virtual training resource answers this need from a safe distance through a series of online training videos, as well as live customer consultations for those requiring more tailored instruction www.kaercher.com/uk/professional/ academy-live.html Filmed at the Kärcher Academy, using Kärcher Professional machines, these training assets provide direct access to cleaning experts. In these video tools, Kärcher explains how offices are vulnerable to dirt build-up on everyday touch points such as desks, keyboards and telephones. These are critical areas for contamination and need to be hygienically clean. Cleaning with water & detergent is an effective way to remove impurities, dust and dirt, followed by disinfection to destroy pathogenic micro-organisms and leave surfaces hygienically clean. Cleaning teams must also use personal protective equipment (PPE) – disposable gloves and aprons are a minimum standard. It goes on to give specific advice on shared kitchens for employees as a number one priority, to prevent contamination and transmission of germs and bacteria. Ensure pipes have been thoroughly flushed through so the tap water is safe, as water that’s been left sitting in pipes for a long period of time could have accumulated chemicals and harmful organisms such as Legionnaire’s Disease. Deep cleaning and sanitising all kitchen utensils like forks, knives and spoons at 60oC or above will kill most germs and bacteria. Kärcher has a broad machine, accessory and detergent range to
help achieve high hygiene standards. In the last few weeks, Karcher has seen a surge in demand for steam cleaners. In particular for public bathroom facilities, a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, which make exemplary hygiene standards crucial. For hard-to-reach, high-risk touchpoints like sinks, taps and soap dispensers a Professional Steam Cleaner is ideal to disinfect without cloths and chemicals. Steam-cleaning ensures these areas are germ-free.
Steam-cleaning is also well-suited to general public areas if you want to avoid chemicals, and it easily reaches the nooks and crannies that can be difficult to reach with a cloth. High footfall public areas, like reception and the canteen, must be kept hygienic to ensure a safe working environment, combining everyday maintenance cleaning with deep cleaning methods.
Bauer Technologies Secures Cheshire Motorway Scheme
Bauer Technologies, a subsidiary of the BAUER Group, has been awarded the piling and foundation works for Highways England’s £43 million M6 junction 19 improvement works, which forms part of a collection of schemes designed to improve connections between Cheshire and South Manchester.
The contract which was awarded by joint venture, Amey Sir Robert McAlpine, will require Bauer Technologies to install 124nr abutment CFA piles (62 per abutment), each measuring 900mm x 13m and 60nr pier rotary bored piles, each measuring 900mm x 16m, as well as 2nr preliminary test piles and 2nr working test piles. Work will be undertaken using two CFA rigs and one rotary bored rig.
Speaking about the project, Michael Jones, Managing Director of Bauer Technologies, said: “This is an ambitious scheme being undertaken for Highways England and Bauer Technologies is pleased to be contributing its technical piling expertise to the project. It is a challenging project too, with work to be undertaken immediately adjacent to live motorway and with the rotary rig required to be in the central reservation area where the bridge pier piles are to be constructed from.”
The scheme will make the network safer and improve the environment by reducing congestion and preventing queuing traffic on the M6. Road users will enjoy quicker and more reliable journeys through the junction, while pedestrians and cyclists will benefit from improved facilities linking to the A556 and local roads.
Bauer Technologies’ work on the project commences 8 June 2020, with the company expected to be on-site for 4 weeks.
Schöck creativity at new Greenwich Design District
The O2 Arena on the Greenwich Peninsula has a new neighbour – Greenwich Design District – providing 14,000sqm of affordable studios and workshops for creatives working across areas as diverse as design, fashion, art, music and digital technology. This pedestrianised, vibrant neighbourhood, comprises sixteen free-standing buildings, situated around five courtyards and a central public square. With the exception of the single level Food Hall, the buildings range in height from three-to-five levels and are a mix of reinforced concrete, structural steel and cross-laminated timber.
Minimising thermal bridging is crucial
Improved thermal performance is becoming increasingly important in large new build developments and the prevention of thermal bridging has a huge role to play. Ineffectual insulation at cantilever connectivity points results in local heat loss, requiring more energy to maintain the building’s internal temperature. Low internal surface temperatures around the thermal bridge can also cause condensation, leading to structural integrity problems with absorbent insulation products and the potentially serious occurrence of mould growth
Design freedom from Schöck has hundreds of variants in its Isokorb elements were developed to take range, offering a solution to practically the loads. Other buildings that any design detail. The predominating incorporate Schöck Isokorb solutions Isokorb at the Design District is for are A1; which marks the main access concrete-to-concrete, but not all of to the Design District. D4, with its tall the requirements were so relatively slim facade; and A4 on the western straightforward. Building C1 is a edge of the site, which welcomes prime example. Set on the east side visitors with a large roof-mounted of the main entrance, this three-level illuminated sign. workshop and studio building has a basketball court on the roof. It has Totally verifiable performance unusually deep floor zones, several large cantilevered elements and a The comprehensive Schöck Isokorb steel mesh enclosure supported on a range enables concrete-to-concrete, braced-steel frame around the court, steel–to-steel and concrete-to-steel which utilises Isokorb elements for detailing. And there are solutions concrete-to-steel detailing. too that provide a maintenance-free There is also an external staircase along with a product which thermally and concrete cantilevered walkway. insulates connections for reinforced Where the walkway encloses the concrete walls and columns. staircase, there are particularly large Products meet full compliance with cantilevers and here the walkway the relevant UK building regulations, slabs, supported by a main beam, have NHBC approval and offer enclose cast-in steel beams and three LABC Registration. There is also cross-beams. These are bolted back the security of independent BBA to the structural slabs using Isokorb Certification. units for steel-to-steel construction Building D1 is a community of studios, workshops and office spaces, which structurally consists of robust concrete slabs – with trees located on the external decks. Some extremely large capacity structural thermal break alternative to wrapped parapets; and steel construction-to-concrete For a free copy of the Schöck slabs. Thermal Bridging Guide; the Schöck Specifiers Guide or to view the range Large capacity thermal breaks of downloadable software, contact required Schöck on 01865 290 890 or visit the website at www.schoeck.co.uk Creative Build Magazine | 13
