Nationwide brings BlueSky safety to utilities sector

Over the last 12 months global energy sector specialists Hertel has been looking to enhance awareness and safety for its employees working at height by working closely with the UK’s Nationwide Platforms.

Working in environments including oil and gas refineries and power stations, Hertel uses powered access from Nationwide Platforms for both short and long term maintenance and construction projects. The company is now using products from the BlueSky range to drive new efficiencies and ensure safety.

To help install the scaffolding required for a tank refurbishment programme, Nationwide Platforms provided a specialist 40t, 34m 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. A 12m scissor lift equipped with the SkyHandler, a hydraulic lift system capable of precisely positioning materials, provided substantial savings of both time and revenue.

In addition to material handling solutions, Nationwide Platforms has also provided their anti-entrapment solution on all compatible boom lifts, as well as the new SkySentry. This product 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 Nationwide has 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.”