HCL SAFETY LTD

HCL the total Fall Protection solution HCL has been developing products and services for over twenty years becoming recognised industry leaders with an extensive client portfolio

As the UK’s number one safety at height specialist HCL Safety regularly works in collaboration with organisations to help them meet their legal obligations by developing safe systems of work. HCL Safety supplies and installs a wide variety of anchors, the number and diversity reflecting all of the key design issues involved. The diversity of building materials used today provides different anchoring conditions for anchors but because of HCL Safety’s long and varied experience it is rare to find a base material that we have not already successfully fixed into. However, the properties of the base material play a decisive role when selecting a suitable anchor and determining the load it can hold. Additionally, the selection of the appropriate anchor component(s) and the fixing technique employed are also critical design issues, the determination of which is inextricably linked to the end performance requirements. The dangers of working at height are apparent to all concerned and yet despite this, falls from height remain the biggest single cause of fatalities and serious injuries within construction and a constant threat to all trades required to in or on buildings. Indeed, a fall from any height, however small, can produce alarming results. It is incumbent upon all concerned parties to acknowledge that more can be done. As with all identifiable hazards, a systematic management approach will ensure that ownership is created thus ultimately leading to a reduction in risk. Before attempting to design a fall protection system there are simple questions that need to be answered. Organisations are required by law to produce a written Safety Policy and to make arrangements to ensure employees, visiting contractors and third parties (e.g. visitors and/or neighbours) are protected from unsafe conditions or unsafe acts (hazards) resulting from their undertakings.