Head for Heights

Taylor Lane Timber Frame recently introduced its Top Hat Gantry Walkway method – a new work at height technique for use when constructing roofs which require top hat trusses. The method was developed in-house with the aim of moving the procedure up the hierarchy of control measures when working at height – from fall arrest to fall prevention, with the creation and use of a safe work platform.

The installation of top hat trusses is a considered a hazardous working at height operation, the Taylor Lane Top Hat Gantry Walkway method designs out potential risk. A working platform or, in this instance, a gantry walkway can be made once the main roof section is braced, and a handrail is fixed within the gantry walkway to create a ‘safe’ place of work.

How does it work?

Wearing appropriate PPE throughout the procedure, the timber frame operative must first be clipped to the scaffold structure when accessing the gantry. Once the gantry sub-deck is installed, four by one bracing provides handrail guardrails. These, along with an intermediate guardrail, are fitted in line with work at height regulations and fixed according to Taylor Lane’s engineering analysis document.

The guardrails are fitted when a leading edge is present to provide a safe gantry from which to carry out roof work. The top hat trusses can then be loaded out to the operative on the gantry from an operative on the scaffold. The Top Hat Gantry Walkway method is to be used in conjunction with Taylor Lane’s Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS).

Exceeding expectations

Speaking about the reason for top hat trusses and the development of the new method, Liam Hale, construction director at Taylor Lane Timber Frame said: “Top hat trusses are necessary when the trusses required for a build are too tall for standard manufacturing processes and/or transportation. The main body of the truss and its topmost point (the top hat) are produced separately, taken to the site as two separate components, and then fitted in place. While this solves the problem regarding manufacture and delivery, it does present potential health and safety issues which come from the need to work at height.

“While we have always used the correct equipment and fall arrest in such instances, we felt that there must be a safer method, one which focusses on prevention of a fall. I am pleased to say that we have been successful in achieving this, developing a method that exceeds the basic requirements of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.”

For ease and better understanding, Taylor Lane has made a best practice video which gives a step-by-step guide to the new Top Hat Gantry Walkway method. It’s freely available to view on YouTube – search Taylor Lane Timber Frame. The video was filmed on site in Gloucestershire with the support of MF Freeman and Barecroft Carpentry.

More at  www.taylor-lane.co.uk