BlueSky best practice approach reaches utilities sector
Global energy sector specialists Hertel have put innovation at the centre of their work in partnership with Nationwide Platforms.
Working in environments including oil and gas refineries and power stations, Hertel utilise powered access from Nationwide Platforms to complete both short and long term maintenance and construction projects.
Over the past 12 months the business has looked to find new best practice solutions from the powered access leaders, spanning means of overcoming material handling, enhancing anti-entrapment safety and developing employee awareness to work at height challenges.
As a result, products from the BlueSky range have been utilised to drive new efficiencies and protect safety across the energy sector.
For the purposes of installing scaffolding required for a tank refurbishment programme, Nationwide Platforms recently provided a specialist 40 tonne, 34 metre scissor lift equipped with the SkyRakPlus®, an attachment enabling up to 600kg of large or bulky materials to be safely secured at height, with the use of moveable pins and straps.
Nationwide Platforms also assisted Hertel in finding a means of removing hundreds of metres of redundant piping weighing up to 150kg throughout a major UK oil refinery. The business provided a 12 metre scissor lift equipped with the SkyHandler®, a hydraulic lift system capable of precisely positioning materials, resulting in substantial savings of both time and revenue for Hertel.
In addition to material handling solutions, Nationwide Platforms have also provided their award winning anti-entrapment solution on all compatible boom lifts, as well as the new SkySentry®. This product innovation is a PIN-activated system which prevents the unauthorised use of access equipment without the entry of a four digit code given to trained, competent operators.
Finally, in addition to providing IPAF Operator and MEWPs for Managers training, the powered access leaders have supported Hertel in developing their own Working at Height Managers to successfully supervise the use of powered access and scaffolding.
Ian Horton, Site Manager from Hertel, said: “By working closely alongside Nationwide Platforms we’ve been able to utilise selected BlueSky solutions from the range, and redefine many of our previous working processes. The innovations that have been made available to us have been directly adapted to the various sector specific challenges and tasks that we face on a day to day basis, helping us achieve new efficiencies through solutions that have safety at their very core. ”
Mick Ledden, Executive Director – Business Development and Key Accounts at Nationwide Platforms, said: “The availability of the BlueSky range of solutions presents a new opportunity for enhanced safety and productivity in many sectors. In the oil and gas industry Hertel have shown a commitment to achieving the highest standards of best practice, and we’ve been proud to help assist them in their ongoing success on sites across the country.”
Nationwide Platforms have provided Hertel with working at height support on projects across the UK, including powered access hire, working at height training and award winning safety innovations.
The UK market leaders in powered access have utilised their pioneering BlueSky range of innovations to help Hertel achieve new feats in best practice in the utilities sector.
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For further information regarding
Nationwide Platforms please contact Geoff Garner (UK Marketing and Communications Officer) on 07920 874987 or email
[email protected].
Notes to Editor:
Nationwide Platforms is the UK’s largest powered access rental business, providing a fleet of more than 11,500 machines from a network of 43 depots across the country. Nationwide Platforms also has the largest powered access training department in Europe, delivering a comprehensive range of working at height training courses to powered access operators and the access industry.
Nationwide Platforms is part of the world’s largest specialist access rental business, Lavendon Group plc. For further information visit:
www.nationwideplatforms.co.uk or follow @NWPlatforms.