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Working at Height

Institute warns of looming change in standards

By: Halima Frost 12th April 2024 As the unit standards of the current National Qualifications Framework (NQF) expired in June 2023, with the last enrolment of learners in June 2024, professional body Institute for Work at Height (IWH) continues its efforts to maintain some form of standardisation in the sector. As a result of... →

Wind energy poses increased fall risks

By: Halima Frost 12th April 2024 As the demand for greener energy helps drive the increased uptake of wind energy, the dangers that face workers in the sector are becoming even more evident. As reported by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration in a report named ‘Green Job Hazards’, workers in the wind energy... →

Two men wearing PPE and safety harnesses working on teh turbines of a wind turbine stack

TALL ORDER Maintaining safety standards especially in the wind turbine installation and maintenance sector has come to the fore as the development of green energy gains impetus

Company spotlights new trend in rope access

By: Simone Liedtke 18th August 2023 Emerging rope access company Vertical Logic Rope Access MD Craig Muller highlights an “interesting new trend” in the rise of robotics and third-party access initiatives, such as drones, and other unmanned non-destructive testing (NDT) devices in work-at-height applications and projects. He says... →

SAFETY VANGUARD Vertical Logic consistently promotes awareness of total quality and safety principles

Work-at-height industry facing uncertainty as training standards expire

By: Simone Liedtke 18th August 2023 The South African work-at-height industry, which has relied for years on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) unit standards to provide proper training programmes, now faces a critical challenge following the expiration of these standards at the end of June 2023. Professional body Institute... →

CERTIFICATION SHORTAGE This potential shortage could result in a deceleration of project execution and leave workers without the necessary certifications

Company offers solutions for safer work-at-height practices

By: Simone Liedtke 18th August 2023 Solar system installations in South Africa must prioritise safety and proper planning, with height works specialist Height Safe 360 emphasising that training is an imperative to ensure implementation of the right fall protection plan and the choice of suitable access solutions. This will assist... →

New Bill to impact on sector

By: Sabrina Jardim 30th September 2022 With health and safety being an important aspect of working-at-height projects, a new Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill is expected to be tabled next year. The Bill will enforce penalties of up to a R50 000 spot fine for every contravention, should working-at-height projects not... →

HEIGHTENED EXPECTATIONS To mitigate risks, those employed to work at height need to be cleared medically and be competent enough to execute the work

Drone tech deployed for working at heights

By: Sabrina Jardim 30th September 2022 A global initiative to get machines to drive inspections in dangerous spaces has resulted in the introduction of drone technology for working-at-height projects. “Drones reduce the amount of human exposure in dangerous environments, which drives efficiency and, in turn, drives down costs.... →

An image depicting two men conducting a rope access inspection

ROPE ACCESS INSPECTION Despite the benefits of implementing drone technology, such as its being flexible and quickly deployable, Zinn says some clients are hesitant to adopt new technology, owing to their being unfamiliar with it

VR technology to improve training initiatives

By: Sabrina Jardim 30th September 2022 With potential health and safety risks facing those working at height, training solutions provider KBC Health & Safety will introduce a virtual reality (VR) component for its training programmes to ensure greater safety measures when working at height. The VR technology can measure the... →

An image depicting a smiling man, Ruan van Rensburg

RUAN VAN RENSBURG KBC hopes to formally introduce its VR technology for working-at-height training within the next six to twelve months

Adoption of PPE slow for women in industry

By: Sabrina Jardim 30th September 2022 Safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) are often not designed to accommodate female bodies, often resulting in women feeling uncomfortable when working at heights, owing to ill-fitting fall-arrest systems, says women’s safety wear manufacturer Sisi Safety Wear fall protection... →

An image depicting a smiling man, Ruaan Breedt

RUAAN BREEDT Sisi Safety Wear’s harnesses have been designed with an elastic chest strap to mitigate severe injury

Training important for working at height personnel

24th September 2021 Falls from height are the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury within the workplace. Working at height, confined space and respiratory solutions provider Arco Professional Safety Services expert Steve Dawson explains the importance of training for... →

Company offers various techniques for working-at-height

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 24th September 2021 Rope access specialist Skyriders’ working-at-height training includes rope access, fall arrest or fall prevention and the fall protection plan. The company specialises in rope access & RPAS (drones) – a system used to position a person on a structure. →

SAFETY FIRST The regulations state that a company is required to have a fall protection plan in place when any work is done that might create the risk of a fall

Sufficient training needed to perform rescue on suspension trauma

24th September 2021 Suspension trauma is the main reason why it is imperative to perform a rescue as soon as possible after a fall has been arrested, explains safety solutions provider BBF Safety Group. The company highlights that when a person is suspended after a fall, the heart continues to pump blood to the body. →

Company opens new height safety centre in London

24th September 2021 Safety equipment supplier Heightec announced the opening of its new London Height Safety Centre. The new regional centre based near Wembley in London opened on July 26 with courses available to book online now. →

Maintenance work completed during lockdown

By: Halima Frost 25th September 2020 A team of eight work-at-height specialists representing rope access company Skyriders has safely completed the cleaning and maintenance of two storage tanks at a petrochemicals producer, in Mpumalanga. The maintenance project, which was conducted during Level 5 of the Covid-19 lockdown period,... →

SAFE SUSPENSION
Being able to safely complete a task while suspended from a structure takes a specialised team which Skyriders offers

Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn discusses a recently completed maintenance project that required specialised rope access expertise. Camerawork: Halima Frost. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 21.08.2020

Structures assist in practical training

By: Halima Frost 25th September 2020 Increased interest in the training of working-at-height personnel in eMalahleni, in Mpumalanga, and Rustenburg, in North West, has led to permanent scaffolding structures being erected at safety training solutions provider KBC Health and Safety’s training facilities in the two provinces. KBC... →

HIGHER GRADE Being able to do practical training at height is now possible with the structures erected at KBC's various training facilities

New magnetic fall protection system launched

25th September 2020 Rotterdam-based fastener supplier McNetiq launched a new series of magnetic anchors for fall protection when working at height. The first product in this series, released in July, is the workplace safety device McNetiq Fall Restraint, intended for workplaces constructed of steel without edge... →

MAGNETIC PULL The magnetic system based on Controlock technology assists in securing workers when no railing or connectable surface is available

Accreditations incorrectly processed cause distress – institute

By: Halima Frost 25th September 2020 Although many working-at-height training providers claim to be accredited with the sector education and training authority (Seta), the professional body for Working at Height (IWH) warns that certifications received by trainees from these training providers are not necessarily being uploaded and... →

CLEAN SWEEP Having clean clear directives allows professional body Working at Height to equip the sector with the correct tools for safe working protocols

Safety during wind turbine upgrades offered

25th September 2020 Specialist design and manufacturing company Power Curve ApS has forged a strategic partnership with working at height specialists Dangle Rope Access, to help deliver specialist installation services for wind turbine performance upgrades across the UK's wind farm sector. Announced in July, the... →

DANGLING IN THE WIND Dangle will offer rope access services to the upgrade and maintenance of UK's wind farms in partnership with Power Curve ApS

Specialist involved in refurbishing of Foreshore Place

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 27th September 2019 Working at heights specialist Skysite is involved in the refurbishment of the Foreshore Place, in Cape Town. The project started in November 2018 with completion expected in the second quarter of next year. →

Inspection and maintenance essential for fall protection safety equipment

27th September 2019 Fall protection equipment maintenance and inspection is an essential part of safety when working at height, therefore, workers need to follow these simple steps as part of the routine to ensure that harnesses and lanyards offer optimal protection, says personal protective equipment supplier HSE... →

Precautions imperative when working at height

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 27th September 2019 The risks and incidents associated with working at height can be reduced if basic precautions are taken, says cleaning specialist Ultra High Level MD and Institute for Work at Height director Rob Urquhart. “Internationally, falls account for just more than 40% of work-related incidents. Many... →

Company introduces new boom lifts at local exhibition

27th September 2019 Trusted equipment solutions company Goscor Access Solutions launched two brand new articulating boom lifts from manufacturer of mobile elevated work platforms Genie. The company launched the new Genie Z45/25 XC and hybrid Z60/37 FE at the African Construction Exhibition held at Gallagher Estate... →

Sector requires heightened safety measures

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 28th September 2018 While construction regulations incorporate fall protection, the mobile crane industry requires a more specific plan to properly address the risks of working at height, says mobile crane hire company Johnson Crane Hire (JCH) safety, health, environment and quality executive Cedric Froneman.... →

HEIGHTENED AWARENESS An integrated fall protection plan encompasses measures such as access ladders, steps, handrails, and integrated anchor points

Training courses reduce risk of falls

By: Thabi Shomolekae 28th September 2018 To mitigate the challenge of falls that might occur when people are working at 2 m or more above ground, work at height training institute Height Wise Training Academy marketing manager Mike Zinn says the academy has developed training courses. The academy offers rope access levels 1, 2 and 3;... →

FALLS MINIMISED Trainees displays rope access skills while at heights

IBAS Group

28th September 2018 South Africa based IBAS Group has grown to be one of the most consistent service providers in the demanding industrial access and related value-add sector. Founded 23 years ago to provide innovative solutions to energy and chemicals group Sasol’s Secunda and Sasolburg plants, Wouter Booysen, a... →

Layher (Pty) Ltd

28th September 2018 Established over 70 years ago, Layher is the world’s largest producer and innovator of high-quality system scaffolding. Since its establishment, Layher has pioneered advanced scaffolding systems and is consistently at the forefront of innovation, safety and quality. All Layher material is... →

Company minimising height-access difficulties

By: Thabi Shomolekae 28th September 2018 Rope access specialist RopeCrew Industrial Abseiling has positioned itself as a viable alternative for those wanting to opt to use rope access as a viable method of accessing areas at height, instead of scaffolding, which is limited and costly. RopeCrew MD Gerrie du Plessis states that rope... →

RopeCrew

By: Zandile Mavuso 29th September 2017 Vertical safety systems company RopeCrew is a highly experienced and dynamic rope access company that offers industrial and offshore rope access services and work at height training. →

Lightweight and compact lanyard launched in SA

29th September 2017 Last month, equipment supplier MSA Africa launched a new self-retracting lanyard that is both lightweight and compact. The MSA Latchways 3 m personal fall limiter (PFL) has been designed specifically for environments where close anchorage is available. The lanyard uses multiple spring radial... →

FITS IN A BACKPACK The personal rescue device fits in a small backpack that is not intrusive

First Mygale crawler acquired by Goscor

29th September 2017 Industrial warehousing equipment solutions provider Goscor Access Rental has acquired its first Mygale 23 crawler boom lift from France-based industrial equipment supplier ATN Platforms. →

FIRST IN SA This is the first Mygale 23 that Goscor has acquired to expand their fleet in South Africa

Rules, regulations reinforced to minimise fatalities

By: Victor Moolman 29th September 2017 With the biggest cause of fatalities in the working at height industry being workers falling from height, the Institute for Working at Height (IWH), together with the Department of Labour (DoL), is reinforcing rules and regulations within the industry that will assist in minimising these... →

NDT at height can start immediately after shutdown

By: Victor Moolman 29th September 2017 Industrial rope access specialist Skyriders Access Specialists (Skyriders) can reach high places as soon as ropes have been rigged after which nondestructive testing (NDT) can be done. Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn explains that the company uses rope access techniques to do different... →

Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn explains how the company conducts nondestructive testing. Camerawork: Victor Moolan.

Battalions at Height

By: Zandile Mavuso 29th September 2017 Level 1 BEE-certified industrial rope company Battalions prides itself on good quality services and stringent safety procedures. Safety is most critical to the company hence it has not experienced any incidents since it was established in 2011. →

IBAS Group

By: Zandile Mavuso 29th September 2017 South Africa-based IBAS Group has grown to be one of most consistent service providers in the demanding industrial access and related value-add sector. →

Skysite

By: Zandile Mavuso 29th September 2017 Established in 1998, rope access and work at height specialists Skysite offers a variety of services at height. Currently, Skysite has permanent maintenance and cleaning crews on many of the country’s premier buildings, and a proven track record for the professional, safe manner in which projects... →

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