Spillard set to help waste and recycling sector save lives with 180-degree ‘Wide Eye’ camera concept

New technology designed to save lives and prevent injury will be officially launched at the RWM Exhibition in Birmingham next week (13-15 th September).

Wolverhampton-based Spillard Safety Systems is going to reveal its Optronics Wide Eye Camera System, which uses a fish eye 180-degree view angle camera that will kill blind spots and increase vision dramatically for the driver.

The firm, which has already hit the national headlines for its VCAS 300 product, will be targeting recycling and waste management companies running large fleets of vehicles and looking to improve safety on the roads for all.

Fitted to the underside of wing mirrors, the new camera transmits a much wider field of vision than traditional systems and sends a high resolution picture to a dashboard monitor – ideal for spotting cyclists or other vehicles coming up the side of large vehicles.


Experts from Spillards will be in Hall 5, Stand W84-X85 to talk through the technology and also demonstrate a series of videos produced to highlight dangers and the benefits the technology provides in real-life working environments.

“We are seeing more and more instances of adults and young children being injured or killed by large vehicles operating on our roads,” explained Peter Spillard, Managing Director.

“And more times than not this is down to blind spots where drivers can’t see or have limited vision of what is around them. The launch of the Optronics Wide Eye Camera System is one step closer to removing a lot of the dangers and will definitely help the sector reduce accidents.”

He continued: “RWM is a fantastic show for us to unveil this new innovation, with more than 13,000 people attending over the three days. We believe there’ll be significant interest as it has been designed in response to industry demand, is easy to fit, completely waterproof and cost effective. There is definitely a need for this in the market.”

Spillard Safety Systems has evolved into one of the UK's largest vehicle safety solution providers to the construction, quarrying mining, waste and commercial industries, with a customer base ranging from global conglomerates to original equipment manufacturers.

The company is hoping that its appearance at RWM will create new opportunities in the recycling and waste management sector, helping it take turnover from £3.5m to £4.5m by the middle of 2016.

In addition to its new 180-degree camera system it will be showcasing Optronics 360-degree, the world’s first aftermarket surround view camera system offering the operator a bird's eye real-time view of the vehicle and its surroundings.

There will also be the firm’s new Commercial Vehicle Board on display, demonstrating the All Round Control System, an integrated solution to managing different safety solutions all in one manageable control box.

Peter concluded: “We have been talking to firms that operate in this sector and there is a renewed focus on investing in new solutions that will improve visibility and prevent any future accidents taking place.

“Optronics Wide Eye is the latest technology we are bringing to market and we are very excited about the positive changes it will deliver.”

For further information, please visit www.spillardsafety.com or follow @spillardsafety on Twitter.

Spillard Safety Systems

As we have explained on our sister site Demolition Training, Spillard Safety Systems now has a permanent link on the right-hand side of both sites. We feel the safety Spillard's services offer to those working in the construction and demolition industries is well worth the investment, and therefore highlighting.

Go check out what Spillard has to offer. We're fans of their very clever camera vision system for removing blind spots.

Breathe Freely releases Demolition Operative fact sheet

Stephen McCann of OSHCR had brought our attention to Breathe Freely, an organization dedicated to occupational hygiene and in particular preventing occupational lung cancer. With that in mind, they've produced a health fact sheet for Demolition Operatives.

It covers hazards and risks, control options, how to manage the risks, and outlines workplace exposure limits. You can view it online by clicking here.

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

With Bonfire Night fast approaching its worth taking some time to consider ways of keeping family and visitors safe around bonfires and fireworks.

If you are organising a major public event, you will clearly need a robust and detailed approach to planning as well as professional involvement. If you are holding a local firework display, such as those organised by many sports clubs, schools or parish councils, you still need to plan responsibly, but the same level of detail is not necessary or expected. Even the small family parties in the back garden can benefit from a bit of advice and guidance.

Fortunately the HSE have an advice page which gives some sound advice for whichever type of Bonfire Night event you are organising.

Have a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night.

This video proves why training on machines is so important

Here at C&D we train around a dozen people every month in the use of MEWPs and we always advocate that the training is the first part of getting the experience needed to drive machines every day. During the training course we also cover harness use and the need to clip onto the relevant point in the basket of the MEWP as you never know when you might hit bumpy ground, which could easily eject you from the basket.

This brief film clip shows a MEWP operator (who was NOT trained by C&D) demonstrating clearly why you need to wear a harness when driving a MEWP.

Skin Cancer – Sun Safety in Construction presentation on April 3rd

On Thursday, 3rd April the IOSH has funded a Skin Cancer - Sun Safety in Construction presentation.

It is being held at 2pm following a buffet lunch at 1:30pm at the following location:

Hollyfields Centre Club Ltd,
Woodacre Road,
Erdington,
Birmingham B4 0JT

Paul Madgwick, a PhD student in Applied Psychology at the University of Nottingham, and Jonathan Houdmont, a Lecturer in Occupational Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham, will both be speaking. Here's an overview of what is being covered:

"At Aprils meeting we will welcome Paul Madgwick Construction Health and Safety Manager and CDM Coordinator at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust along with Jonathan Houdmont Lecturer in Occupational Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham.

The presentation will give an overview of skin cancer, explaining the types of cancer and their UK prevalence as well as the level of under reporting and cost to the NHS. The occupational levels of skin cancer will be explained, as will the level of risk for different occupational sectors. A brief introduction to the aims and objectives of the Sun Safety in Construction project will follow.

The findings of the nationwide survey of construction workers on sun safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours will then be presented followed by the DVD based intervention and the findings of the intervention."

Both members and non-members can attend this presentation free of charge.

Source: iosh

Employers urged to take extra care of young people starting summer jobs

An important message from the British Safety Council has been reproduced below:

Workers are far more likely to be injured in workplace accidents during the first few months of a new job than at any other time says the British Safety Council. With the holiday season approaching, employers are urged to pay extra attention to the health and safety of young people hired for temporary, summer work.

By taking some simple steps, says Alex Botha, Chief Executive Officer at the British Safety Council, the risk of injury to young workers can be easily prevented. “Vacation jobs are a great way for young people to earn money, get some experience and develop skills but we know they can be particularly vulnerable when they start work,” he said. “There are many reasons for this: a general lack of work experience; unfamiliarity with the workplace, machinery or work processes; a lack of physical capability to do the job or the confidence to raise concerns; a failure of employers to provide the necessary training and familiarisation.”

“Leadership is key in preventing injury to a young person at the start of their working life. Organisations need to ensure that safe and healthy work practices are the rule and they have a culture that promotes and values safe behaviour. The first step is to plan ahead and establish what the risks are - risks from lifting, working at height, using machinery, moving around the site, inhalation of dust, are the most common ones. Then using the knowledge of experienced staff decide how best to control these risks including through the provision of relevant training. Do check that young people have understood what they have been taught.”

“The British Safety Council is determined to keep health and safety simple and has a priority to reduce the risks young people face at work. We have worked closely with schools and have provided resources to help them develop hazard awareness among young people. We have a dedicated website that is easily accessible, with information that is simple to understand and advice that is helpful for any employer working with young people. I strongly advise employers to check out the resources we have made freely available.”

Risk education is crucial to achieve the British Safety Council’s vision that nobody is injured or made ill at work. Its Speak Up, Stay Safe campaign highlights the particular risks that young people face and puts good communication at the heart of good health and safety. A dedicated website with information, fact sheets on the law and good practice, top tips on working with young people as well as videos and links to organisations like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is freely available at https://www.britsafe.org/speakupstaysafe

Here at C&D we offer a range of training courses including a one-day basic safety course. For more detail please get in touch by emailing john.woodward@demolishdismantle.co.uk

Multi Storey Car park operators call for inspection regime

New Civil Engineer this month includes an article on the state of UK multi storey car parks and the need for them to be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent collapse. A recent collapse in Ontario, as mentioned in the article, caused the death of 2 people and injured many more and lead us to believe that similar incidents could occur in the UK.

The article mentions the car park in Scunthorpe, where C&D were acting as demolition consultants to the council, that was closed and then demolished by GBM Limited following the failure of a routine inspection. We have, in the West Midlands, seen the collapse of a car park in Piper's Row, Wolverhampton on 20 March 1997 (subsequently demolished by Coleman & Company) and the recent explosive demolition of Stourbridge Car Park by DSM (featured on this site).

C&D have also been involved as demolition consultants for the demolition of Barnstaple Car Park, by Lawson Demolition Limited and as consultants following the partial collapse of a car park at Southend on Sea during demolition by Elvanite Limited.

From our own experience of structures of this type we can only agree with the car park operators that regular inspection, testing, and maintenance is needed to ensure that our ageing car parks remain safe, and all suspect car parks are demolished safely and quickly to remove any chance of a premature collapse.

If you would like details of our work as consultants on multi storey car park demolition please do not hesitate to contact john.woodward@demolishdismantle.co.uk

Our thanks go to John Harris of Stewart & Harris Limited for sending us the article.

Electrical safety checks deemend pointless waste of money

I've worked for a few companies where a firm has been hired to go around checking every single electrical device plugged into the building's sockets. The end result is a week or two of having a stranger in your offices plugging in and unplugging lamps, laptops, and coffee machines before putting a little sticker on each plug saying they are safe (for a year at least).

It seems pointless at the time, and now the HSE has confirmed it is completely pointless for low-risk environments such as an office.

As the HSE points out:

"It's a myth that every portable electrical appliance in the workplace needs to be tested once a year - and what's more it's a costly one."

So, the next time you get approached to carry out an electrical safety check to comply with health and safety, I'd suggest keeping your wallet in your pocket, saving yourself a load of money and wasted time, and just being sensible with the equipment you use.

Another key point the HSE makes regarding this matter:

"The law simply requires an employer to ensure that electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger - it does not state that every item has to be tested or how often testing needs to be carried out."

Say that down the phone next time one of these safety check companies cold calls you and see if they have a clever response.

Source: HSE

HSE carrying out intensive inspections until March 16th

The Health and Safety Exectuive has announced that between now and March 16th it will be carrying out a series of intensive inspection initiatives, with the aim of reducing death, injury, and ill health on construction sites.

The focus of the inspections will be sites where refurbishment and/or repair work is being carried out. The HSE is particularly interested in high-risk activities such as working at height. The aim: to remind everyone working in the industry that poor standard are unacceptable, and that the HSE has no hesitation in enforcing those standards.

Philip White, HSE Chief Inspector of Construction, said:

"The refurbishment sector continues to be the most risky for construction workers, all too often straightforward practical precautions are not considered and workers are put at risk. In many cases simple changes to working practices can make all the difference.

Poor management of risks in this industry is unacceptable. As we have demonstrated in the past, we will take strong action if we find evidence that workers are being unnecessarily put at risk."

Source: HSE

Safe Working Practice for Office Staff

Demolition is a safety critical industry and we are all aware of the training employers need to provide in order to maintain a safety aware and competent workforce on site.

However, how often do we consider the legislation that is in place to protect those working within the office/administrative environment of demolition, and how often do we provide necessary and adequate training in order to comply with this legislation?

Granted, the office is not the most dangerous of places, but the office does contain many hazards that if not properly addressed and managed, have the potential to cause harm and have a significant impact on effectiveness and efficiency, not to mention time and money lost through illness and injury.

C&D Training Division have developed a new course specifically designed to address these issues and to raise awareness on how to keep the office a safe and healthy work place.

1. Acknowledge The Legislation Relating To Health And Safety In The Workplace
2. Identify Hazards Within The Office Environment & Ways In Which They Can Be Reduced
3. Identify Safe Practice In The Use Of Display Screen Equipment
4. Identify Safe Manual Handling Techniques
5. Recognise The Impact Of Workplace Stress On Personal Health And Safety
6. Identify Ways To Reduce Workplace Stress

For more information, please email jill@demolishdismantle.co.uk

World Demolition Awards 2011 Videos - John Woodward on safety and training

Day 2 of our World Demolition Awards 2011 sees our very own John Woodward talking about safety and training in the current economic climate.



Thanks to KHL for providing the videos.

HSE issues Scissor lift warning after 5 deaths

If you use Scissor lifts on site then the HSE has a warning you need to take notice of. Certain models of scissor lift have the potential to overturn and so far these incidents have resulted in the deaths of 5 people.

The scissor lifts in question are JLG 500RTS and 400 RTS models. The HSE is warning service and maintenance engineers to check on a regular basis the safety critical components. The deaths that have been caused were due to the following:

• The oscillating axle which allows the machine to be driven on uneven ground with the platform in the transport position failed to lock when the platform was raised.


• The lift/drive interlock system did not work allowing the platform to be elevated above 6.7m without the stabilisers being deployed.

Richard Clarke, HSE inspector, explained:

"Though this safety alert is primarily to warn those who own and use these specific models of scissor lift, and those with similar interlock systems, it should serve as a reminder to all users of mobile elevating work platforms that there is a need to regularly maintain, inspect and test the equipment. This isn't just recommended by manufacturers but is also required by law.

Used as directed and with all the necessary checks, we continue to recommend the appropriate use of mobile elevating work platforms as a tool to enable work at height to be carried out safely."

Source: HSE

Dorton make Training & Safety award categories for 2nd year running

Dorton Group is very happy to report that they have managed to make the shortlist for both the Training and Safety categories at the Demolition Awards 2010. This is the second year they have been nominated in both categories.

Dorton was founded in 1985 and has a head office in West Sussex but works nationally. We wish them all the best at the Demolition Summit on November 5th where the award winners will be announced.

Source: Dorton Group

Demolition without safety, two walls fall on to open road

Hornby Street in Vancouver saw a major failure of demolition safety last week as two walls were allowed to fall on to open roads.

The excavator you see in the videos is demolishing the corner building without adequate safety zones in place. Both roads going past the site are open to the public, and fencing only covers the pavements.

What's really bad about this is even though the first wall falls on to a road and damages a car, the demolition continues taking out a second wall and destroying a lamppost in the process.

Here's a range of videos from different angles showing how dangerous this was:









According to the description on one of the videos, the car seen being hit by rubble is owner by a lawyer. The firm carrying out the work are clearly going to end up in court over this.

Source: Demolition News