Heightsafe Systems Ltd has supplied and installed over 3000m of guardrail during refurbishment of 1,400 United Living homes in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
The company installed 3km of guardrail as part of the planned programme of external fabric maintenance.
United Living is one of the UK’s leading providers of refurbished and new build living solutions and was looking to continue its excellent track record within the area of health and safety.
Heightsafe Systems was specified by United Living to supply and install the guardrail because of its experience in work at height. The company is one of the leading UK providers of solutions in this specialist area.
The team at Heightsafe advised on the most effective method of ensuring the safety of personnel when working at height or accessing the roof areas. Permanent freestanding guardrail was considered to be the best approach as it would also provide ongoing edge protection for future maintenance works.
Guardrails are one of the most effective methods of providing edge protection for anyone working at height.
A number of legislative requirements apply to guardrails, including Workplace Health Safety & Welfare Regulations 1992, The Building Regulations Part K 2013, and The Work at Height Regulations 2005, plus others. In most situations, guardrails must have at least of two horizontal rails and a minimum height of 1,100mm.
Guardrails were considered to be the best approach on this project because the properties comprise predominantly of large apartment buildings with flat roofs. Carrying out any work on these buildings without adequate edge protection would have resulted in serious work at height safety issues.
Heightsafe Systems recommended freestanding guard rails because they are easy and quick to install, non-penetrative, yet provide permanent edge protection for anyone working at height.
“We liked the fact that Heightsafe Systems had the capability to install 3 kilometres of guardrail on a quick turnaround,” said a spokesperson from United Living. “The company was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of work at height legislation and was able to translate this into a workable, cost effective solution for us.”
He added: “Our priority is to ensure the safety of staff, residents and visitors both during the refurbishment and for future maintenance works. Heightsafe Systems played an important part in delivering this objective.”
Freestanding guardrails from Heightsafe Systems provide a simple and cost effective method of ensuring the safety on anyone working at height on flat roofs. It can be used on roofs up to 10 degrees slope.
Heightsafe Systems offers several types of guardrail including fixed and folding. The latter remains invisible from ground level when not in use.
Another major benefit of the company’s collapsible guardrail, similar to freestanding is that the fixings do not penetrate the roof membrane, which maintains the integrity of the waterproof seal.
Heightsafe Systems’ guardrails can be used on many different kinds of roofs including concrete, asphalt, PVC membrane and felt roof surfaces.
The refurbishment work carried out by United Living includes work to kitchens, bathrooms, heating and electrics as well as associated work.
For more information on fixed and collapsible guardrails from Heightsafe Systems, call: 020 3819 7199.