Groundforce Shorco and Groundforce Training took part in the Working Well Together (WWT) North East regional group’s Health & Safety event which took place in June at Komatsu’s premises in Chester le Street.
The WWT North East regional group covers Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Cleveland and attracts members from across the industry spectrum including construction, civil engineering, government, training and safety groups.
WWT delivers a range of health and safety events each year, mainly focussing on raising awareness of health & safety issues, practical demonstrations on the latest developments in improving health and safety and promoting continuous health & safety improvement.
Groundforce Shorco Technical Sales Representative Ian Hind and Groundforce Training’s General Manager Chris Gearren spearheaded this safety critical event. Importantly, Groundforce Training’s National Safety Trainers were at the forefront of the day, demonstrating Groundforce Shorco’s wide range of trench safety solutions including Backhoe, Manhole and Trench boxes, EdgeSafe, EndSafe, Mini LadderSafe and FallSafe - a Davit Arm Rescue System. All of these products are designed to prevent hazards and minimise the risk to individuals working in or near excavations.
The half-day event, aimed at anyone involved in groundwork activities, comprised five sessions on a round-robin basis covering:
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Excavation safety support systems & lightweight equipment demonstrations
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Essential knowledge/basics of Temporary Works within groundworks
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Confined spaces overview & groundwork considerations (including a mobile confined spaces trailer to crawl through!)
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Rescue from ‘open excavations’ demonstration
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Komatsu UK Factory Tour
Commenting on the day, Ian Hind said; “The Groundforce Shorco business is built on providing products for health & safety in construction. Avoiding risks and promoting health & safety during the groundworks phase are integral to our business. Therefore being part of the Groundworks Health & Safety Event run by WWT and hosted by Komatsu was vitally important in helping raising this awareness.”
Chris Gearren commented, “Groundforce Training is a proud member of WWT and we were happy to be on hand to support the WWT North East Groups Groundworks event. WWT groups have a clearly defined focus of sharing knowledge, education and best practice, which supports our belief that everyone should come home safely at the end of each day. As fatalities continue to rise within the construction sector we must all do our part to raise awareness of the hazards associated with groundworks both above and below ground.”
