Nationwide Platforms’ latest innovation in safety, SkyScreen™, was recently introduced on the construction of London’s iconic Greenwich Peninsula Low Carbon Energy Centre by main contractor Kier, in order to minimise the risk of objects being dropped from the basket of an access platform when working at height.
Designed by renowned sculpture and artist, Conrad Shawcross, the Energy Centre’s 48 metre chimney required 137 unique panels installing to create what Shawcross described as its ‘optic cloak’.
To ensure the panels were installed both safely and efficiently, a spider crane was placed at the top of the building’s chimney and used to hoist the panels into position. One of Nationwide Platforms’ SX-180 boom lifts, fitted with SkyScreen™, was then used to assist with the fitting and installation. Due to the nature of the job, and the need to use tools and small fixings, the introduction of SkyScreen™ successfully minimised the risk of injury or damage caused by items accidently being dropped from height.
Mark Starling, Safety, Health & Environmental Manager at Kier Construction London, said: “At Kier, we are keen to adopt innovative safety products on our projects. Nationwide Platforms showed us how the new SkyScreen product can minimise the risk of dropped objects from access platforms – a focus for us on the Greenwich Peninsula Low Carbon Energy Centre – we thought it a great innovation. The fitting of SkyScreen has limited the hazard of dropped objects, protecting personnel, surrounding buildings and equipment, and forms a key part of our collective prevention measures on-site. We would certainly look to use it again in future projects.”
Suitable for 6ft and 8ft platform basket sizes, the lightweight SkyScreen™ mesh fully encompasses the platform basket to provide protection from dropped objects, tools and materials down to 15mm in size. As well as retaining maximum visibility, it is also compatible with a range of other innovations such as the company’s material handling attachment SkyRak® and its secondary guarding device SkySiren® PCS™.
Part of BlueSky Solution’s range of safety innovations, SkyScreen™ is readily available for hire throughout the UK. For more information, please click the following link: https://bit.ly/SkyScreen