Whether you have a contractual requirement to gain certification to OHSAS 18001, or one of the growing numbers of organisations looking to reduce the overall risks to the organisation and demonstrate good governance, there are a number of key benefits with implementing a certified OHS management system. These include:

• a structured approach to hazard identification and risk management which can contribute to the provision of a healthier and safer working environment and the avoidance of a high proportion of accidents and occupational health problems – this should help reduce lost time through employee illness and injury
• the management of health and safety becoming more transparent and effective by translating the outputs of risk assessment, audits, inspections, legal reviews and incident investigations into action plans to minimise the risk of accidents
• improved staff morale, potential reductions in liability claims and lower insurance premiums
• increased credibility from having an OHS management system independently assessed

In the world of contracting employing an organisation accredited to OHSAS 18001 provide unrivalled confidence that a business not only has safe systems of work in place it also takes very seriously it’s role and responsibilities in protecting the well being of it’s own employees together with those who have a potential to be affected by it’s undertakings.

In a world demanding a requirement for accreditations and compliance it is very easy for the value of OHSAS 18001 to be lost amongst a plethora of more easily available and less stringent and demanding alternatives, OHSAS 18001 has always been and will remain the pinnacle for all organisations serious about their health & safety & occupational health obligations.

As more organisations wake up to the value of OHSAS 18001 more emphasis will be placed on a requirement by blue chips to seek to employ accredited companies, as this spreads only then can the construction world benefit from reducing injury and fatalities which blights the sector.

Why compromise, employ an OHSAS 18001 accredited contractor and discover the future of contracting......

Chimney Inspections

The inspection of single flue industrial chimneys is regulated by the HSE document GS53 and the ATLAS guidance booklet that builds upon the HSE document GS53.

The self supporting single flue steel chimney has commonly been used for a period in excess of 35 years during which time many have seen a change over from serving coal to oil through to the modern day gas fired boilers. This change over in fuels has left its own legacy creating very corrosive environments, this coupled with the effects of the UK climate has led to a large number of this type of structures ultimately failing, hence the HSE Guidance Note GS 53 was published in 2001.

For multi flue industrial steel chimneys the inspection guidance issued for single flue steel chimneys does not apply, the inspection of a steel multi flue chimney i.e where the waste gases do not come into direct contact with the main supporting structure, is covered in Appendix A of BS 4076 :1989.

At present there is currently no inspection guidance for concrete or brick chimneys, however due to the harsh environments and processes related to their use it is prudent to regularly inspect concrete and brick chimneys to ensure they remain in a serviceable condition.

A chimney inspector must be able to prove competency and experience with a minimum preference of being industry qualified via the NVQ route.

Work at Height Hierarchy of Risk

Via risk assessment the use of a mewp to facilitate access to structures should always be the access method of choice particuarly for the completion of surveys.

In the uk truck mounted MEWPS can provide access up to working heights upwards of 70 metres.

During a recent meeting between the hse and the steeplejack federation ATLAS the hse voiced their concerns into the mindset of the steeplejack industry in relation to risk assessments for working at height and our industries continued insistance to survey structures using traditional ladders as apose to MEWPS.

Wherever it is practicable to do so Churchills always look to employ MEWPS for completing surveys of structures up to 70 metres, unfortunetly industry as a whole needs educating in relation to the Work at Height Regs it is only then that the additional cost for the use of MEWPS will become broadly accepted.

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.

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

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

Installation of access scaffold around the full circumference

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.