In theory the attainment of OHSAS 18001 2007 should serve to provide a springboard for any organisation to expand their market share via clearly being able to demonstrate to potential clients their proven and documented approach to health & safety in the work place.
However the sad truth is that organisations including blue chips fail to fully grasp the importance of such an accreditation and those that do are slow to promote a preference to working with companies who have achieved OHSAS 18001 2007 throughout their organisation.
This can be vey frustrating, listening on one hand to organisations promoting their values and approach to H&S but in reality experiencing their failings in ensuring companies holding such accreditations are actively promoted from within.
The most frustrating scenario is the one of familiarity, often large blue chips operate as satellites and the selection of a contractor can often be purely based on experience e.g having used a particular company for years.
Regardless of this Churchill Steeplejacks are still very proud to be the first Steeplejack company to be accredited to this standard.
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Monday 19 October 2009
Churchills go for OHSAS 18001
Churchill Steeplejacks (UK) Ltd are on course to be the first organisation operating in the steeplejack and lightning protection sector to obtain the coveted OHSAS 18001 Standard.
What is it?
OHSAS 18001 is the British recognised standard for occupational health and safety management. The standard can be adopted by any organisation wishing to implement a formal procedure to manage the risks associated with health and safety at work. The standard is designed to clarify an organisation's impact on health and safety issues, as well as to help reduce the risk of accidents and any breach in legal requirements.
The History of the OHSAS 18001 Standard
The OHSAS 18001 standard was developed to bridge the gap where no international standard existed for occupational health and safety. Development involved input from a number of leading bodies, including certifiers, trade bodies and expert consultancies.
The first version of the standard appeared in 1999 and was based on a number of existing standards (including BS8800:1996) that had been developed by the leading national certification bodies.
The current version of the standard is OHSAS 18001:2007. This supersedes OHSAS 18001:1999, which is to be phased out by July 2009. Thereafter it will no longer be recognised.
Despite not being an ISO standard (although it is currently in the process of being elevated to this level), OHSAS 18001 has been designed to be compatible with the ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) standards, thus helping organisations to achieve an integrated management strategy.
The OHSAS 18001 standard specifies a number of key criterion for an organisation to demonstrate and includes:-
- Planning for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
- Structure and responsibility
- Training, awareness and competence
- Consultation and communication
- Operational control
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Performance measuring, monitoring and improvement
Benefits of an OHSAS 18001 System
Most organisations pursue OHSAS 18001 certification to qualify for a tender or to achieve preferred supplier status: e.g. for a Local Authority. However, there are many other benefits that can be gained, including:
- Reduced risk to employees, customers and suppliers
- Reduction in the costs associated with accidents at work
- Enhanced staff morale and motivation
- Demonstrate legal compliance
- Reduced insurance premiums
- Competitive advantage
- Enhance status
We can now demonstrate that our delivery is managed efficiently and responsibly, and that they can provide a reliable service free of the downtime associated with work-related accidents and incidents.
Friday 3 July 2009
Concrete Chimney Demolition
The removal of 3no 60m steel flues from within the reinforced concrete windshield at the old Roche site in Welwyn Garden City was safely completed with the use of a 300 ton mobile crane.
The 3no flues were removed to facilitate the felling of the concrete windshield which was dismantled in a piece meal small fashion with all dismantled concrete falling to ground inside the chimney for retrieval at the base.
Churchills used their in-house crane capabilities utilising Crane Appointed persons and Competent Slinger banksman to complete this phase of the job
The demolition of the concrete windshield started week commencing 15th June using Churchills specialist demolition rig and concrete cutting methodology which has been employed to demolish 2975m of reinforced concrete chimneys with wall thicknesses ranging from 150mm to 400mm
The 60m reinforced concrete chimney at the old Roche site in Welywn Garden City was reduced by 40m in only 20 days, the base 20m will be demolished using a high reach machine.
The reinforced concrete wall with an average thickness of 200mm was demolished with total efficiency using Churchills tried and test concrete cutting methodology.
Photographs depicting the chimney prior to the installation of our demolition rig are shown below.
To view a list of similar contracts completed by Churchills please visit our web site and go to our Demolition & Dismantling page and click on the PDF download.
Wednesday 1 July 2009
Power Station Chimney Re Lining Project
In December 2008 Churchills were appointed directly by e-on and mobilised to site to commence with the removal and replacement of 2no 110m tall brick flues housed within a 107m tall concrete windshield.
The removal of both brick linings was completed through the Christmas holidays to ensure a hand over date of March 2009 remained achievable.
During the removal of the brick linings the internal cast concrete ring beams that supported the internal brickwork at regular intervals throughout their height were found to have eroded beyond repair. Working with e-on engineers Churchills designed replacement ring beam supports to be installed in conjunction with the re bricking of both vertical flues.
Exposed to some of the coldest temperatures in recent years and now having to work night shifts through January, February and March to remain on programme Churchills installed internal access platforms to facilitate the re building of both flues and completed on time and within budget.
The removal of both brick linings was completed through the Christmas holidays to ensure a hand over date of March 2009 remained achievable.
During the removal of the brick linings the internal cast concrete ring beams that supported the internal brickwork at regular intervals throughout their height were found to have eroded beyond repair. Working with e-on engineers Churchills designed replacement ring beam supports to be installed in conjunction with the re bricking of both vertical flues.
Exposed to some of the coldest temperatures in recent years and now having to work night shifts through January, February and March to remain on programme Churchills installed internal access platforms to facilitate the re building of both flues and completed on time and within budget.
Friday 1 May 2009
Churchills Accreditation
A total of ten Churchill Steeplejacks operatives have successfully achieved the SSSTS accreditation for site supervision.
This level of commitment to training will ensure that all Churchill sites will have the construction industry requirement in relation to on site supervision. Add to this the following minimum requirement for a Churchill Steeplejacks (UK) Ltd site based team and our clients have arguably one the most highly trained and qualified workforces at their disposal;
The following are all managed by a team consisting of two NEBOSH in construction departmental managers
SSSTS
CSCS Industry Gold Card
CCNSG Passport to Safety
Quarry Passport
NVQ Level 2 Steeplejack/Lightning Protection Engineers
NVQ Level 3 Advanced Steeplejack
IPAF
Confined Space Working
NDT Dye Penetrant Testing
Abrasive Wheels
Mobile Towers
Safety Harness Inspection
PAT Testing
LOLER Equipment Testing
Appointed Person
Asbestos Awareness
Rescue & Recovery at Height
Slinger/Banksman
First Aid
Safe Earth Testing
Safe Road Digging
This level of commitment to training will ensure that all Churchill sites will have the construction industry requirement in relation to on site supervision. Add to this the following minimum requirement for a Churchill Steeplejacks (UK) Ltd site based team and our clients have arguably one the most highly trained and qualified workforces at their disposal;
The following are all managed by a team consisting of two NEBOSH in construction departmental managers
SSSTS
CSCS Industry Gold Card
CCNSG Passport to Safety
Quarry Passport
NVQ Level 2 Steeplejack/Lightning Protection Engineers
NVQ Level 3 Advanced Steeplejack
IPAF
Confined Space Working
NDT Dye Penetrant Testing
Abrasive Wheels
Mobile Towers
Safety Harness Inspection
PAT Testing
LOLER Equipment Testing
Appointed Person
Asbestos Awareness
Rescue & Recovery at Height
Slinger/Banksman
First Aid
Safe Earth Testing
Safe Road Digging
Monday 20 April 2009
Concrete Chimney Refurbishment
A 60k project to refurbish 2no 45m reinforced concrete chimneys at The University of East Anglia has been completed within program and within budget by Churchill Steeplejacks (UK) Ltd
The project was completed over a twelve week period with a three man team in attendance and included the replacement and repair of the capping arrangements, concrete repairs to each windshield, lightning protection upgrade and the application of a protective paint system.
A steel support framework was also installed around the summit of both chimneys to provide structural support to the upper regions of each windshield.
The cold weather conditions experienced during January and February 2009 delayed the application of the paint product which required temperatures of 5 degrees and rising, following the completion of the contract the chimney windshields will remain free of maintenance for at least the next seven year period.
The project was completed over a twelve week period with a three man team in attendance and included the replacement and repair of the capping arrangements, concrete repairs to each windshield, lightning protection upgrade and the application of a protective paint system.
A steel support framework was also installed around the summit of both chimneys to provide structural support to the upper regions of each windshield.
The cold weather conditions experienced during January and February 2009 delayed the application of the paint product which required temperatures of 5 degrees and rising, following the completion of the contract the chimney windshields will remain free of maintenance for at least the next seven year period.
Tuesday 14 April 2009
Steel Chimney Emergency Callout
A steel chimney located at Eastwood Comprehensive School in Nottinghamshire fell victim of the strong winds that hit the county during the earlier hours 23rd March 2009.
Churchills received an emergency call out request from the school who feared the chimney was in imminent danger of falling over, Churchills dispatched a three man team to site together with a mobile crane and successfully dismantled the chimney just in time to preventing it falling into classrooms below.
Once the chimney had been successfully dismantled Churchills then set about arranging for the manufacturer and installation of a temporary smaller chimney section to be fitted to the remaining base section of the chimney to ensure the school could continue to provide hot water and therefore remain open.
From receiving the emergency call all of the aforementioned work was safely completed within a 12 hour period.
This was possible due to Churchills possessing in house Crane Appointed Persons who were able to plan and manage the lifting operations with minimum notice coupled with our fabrication capacity.
These photographs depict the chimney in it's precarious position upon our arrival to site.
The importance of the inspection and maintenance of this type of insulated steel chimney has been recognised by the Health & Safety Executive who together with the steeplejack federation A.T.L.A.S have issued guidance notes detailing a thorough inspection criteria. Unfortunately whilst this particular chimney had been regularly inspected it would appear that the inspector had not completed the survey in accordance with the aforementioned recommendations.
Churchills received an emergency call out request from the school who feared the chimney was in imminent danger of falling over, Churchills dispatched a three man team to site together with a mobile crane and successfully dismantled the chimney just in time to preventing it falling into classrooms below.
Once the chimney had been successfully dismantled Churchills then set about arranging for the manufacturer and installation of a temporary smaller chimney section to be fitted to the remaining base section of the chimney to ensure the school could continue to provide hot water and therefore remain open.
From receiving the emergency call all of the aforementioned work was safely completed within a 12 hour period.
This was possible due to Churchills possessing in house Crane Appointed Persons who were able to plan and manage the lifting operations with minimum notice coupled with our fabrication capacity.
These photographs depict the chimney in it's precarious position upon our arrival to site.
The importance of the inspection and maintenance of this type of insulated steel chimney has been recognised by the Health & Safety Executive who together with the steeplejack federation A.T.L.A.S have issued guidance notes detailing a thorough inspection criteria. Unfortunately whilst this particular chimney had been regularly inspected it would appear that the inspector had not completed the survey in accordance with the aforementioned recommendations.
Wednesday 1 April 2009
SPECIALISTS IN HIGH RISE DEMOLITION & STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE
In 2004 Churchill Steeplejacks (UK) Ltd were awarded the contract to complete the external refurbishment of a115m tall concrete cooling tower at Ratcliffe On Soar Power station.
Following the successful completion of the contract that saw Churchills provide, install and maintain all motorised access cradles and complete the contract with no sub contract element the contract was extended for the following four year period to include 6 of the 8no cooling towers at Ratcliffe on Soar.
Each cooling tower project involved up to 12 operatives working on a tower at any one time from the motorised access platforms suspended from the summit of the tower
One of the biggest challenges faced was how to ensure safe access and egress for all operatives working on the tower together with ensuring systems for effectively rescuing and recovering operatives within a twelve minute period from any position on the tower were in place at all times. This was successfully achieved via the deployment of a full time rope access team positioned on the scaffold at the summit of the tower.
Over 56000 man hours were engaged and in excess of 5000 temporary anchor locations were installed to complete the six towers, all being completed within program, within budget and most importantly without incident.
Suspended Access Platforms in operation
Following the successful completion of the contract that saw Churchills provide, install and maintain all motorised access cradles and complete the contract with no sub contract element the contract was extended for the following four year period to include 6 of the 8no cooling towers at Ratcliffe on Soar.
Each cooling tower project involved up to 12 operatives working on a tower at any one time from the motorised access platforms suspended from the summit of the tower
One of the biggest challenges faced was how to ensure safe access and egress for all operatives working on the tower together with ensuring systems for effectively rescuing and recovering operatives within a twelve minute period from any position on the tower were in place at all times. This was successfully achieved via the deployment of a full time rope access team positioned on the scaffold at the summit of the tower.
Over 56000 man hours were engaged and in excess of 5000 temporary anchor locations were installed to complete the six towers, all being completed within program, within budget and most importantly without incident.
Suspended Access Platforms in operation
Thursday 26 March 2009
Churchill Steeplejacks Obtain CSCS Platinum Standard
Churchill Steeplejacks UK Ltd are the proud recipients of the CSCS Platinum Award that recognises a companies achievement in attaining more than a 90% ratio of it's workforce being CSCS accredited card holders.
Churchills have achieved the highest award available from CSCS with a 100% attainment level for it's employees with not one of the 40no cards being a minimum general workers accreditation and with all being industry related.
Boasting 2no NEBOSH in construction departmental managers, 12no SSSTS site based Operatives and one of only 2no NVQ level 3 Steeplejack assesors/trainers in the country this recognition by CSCS highlights further the companies passion for training it’s staff ensuring we possess the most highly trained, skilled and qualified workforce operating in our sector.
Churchills have achieved the highest award available from CSCS with a 100% attainment level for it's employees with not one of the 40no cards being a minimum general workers accreditation and with all being industry related.
Boasting 2no NEBOSH in construction departmental managers, 12no SSSTS site based Operatives and one of only 2no NVQ level 3 Steeplejack assesors/trainers in the country this recognition by CSCS highlights further the companies passion for training it’s staff ensuring we possess the most highly trained, skilled and qualified workforce operating in our sector.
Friday 16 January 2009
Pectel Group in Administration
The Pectel Group formed in 1982 entered into administration 12th December 2008 becoming Churchill Steeplejacks (UK) Ltd largest debtor since the formation of the company in 1994.
On the day Churchills completed extensive decommissioning work to the disused 45m concrete boiler chimney at the University Hospital Birmingham administrators Zolfo Cooper of Manchester were called in.
Formed in 1982 as an asbestos removal firm the growth of the Pectel Group saw them include no fewer than 12 Limited companies at the time they entered into administration with over 250 employees nationwide.
On the day Churchills completed extensive decommissioning work to the disused 45m concrete boiler chimney at the University Hospital Birmingham administrators Zolfo Cooper of Manchester were called in.
Formed in 1982 as an asbestos removal firm the growth of the Pectel Group saw them include no fewer than 12 Limited companies at the time they entered into administration with over 250 employees nationwide.
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