Insider News  

BREAKING NEWS Guidance on the use of Impact Wrenches 

Finally there is clear guidance on the use of Impact Wrenches. Great for HAVS, RSI and productivity, they are not so great for over-tightening fittings and noise. 
FASET worked closely with the NASC to ensure consistency between the two trades. Put simply:- 
Employers need to ensure the Impact Wrenches used during their installation is capable of applying the correct torque to fittings on a consistent and recurring basis. 
A suitable vibration survey should be carried out by a competent person and allowable trigger times should be communicated to the Operative. 
Monitoring of Vibration and Noise needs to be carried out a regular intervals. 
Operatives need to be suitably trained. 
 

CSCS cards through FASET 

FASET have now joined the CSCS partner scheme. This means FASET administer the issue of CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Cards. The cards are virtual i.e. they’re on your phone! 

HAKI guidance 

It appears there is limited industry awareness of the guidance from HAKI to include the use of a “suitable disposable” strap (heavy duty zip tie) when building a HAKI tower. This is to guard against the stair flight from becoming dislodged from the landing. This is possible through excessive winds. This guidance “may” be relevant to other systems that are similar to HAKI. Installers should verfiy this. 

News on the HAKI “P-Frame” 

HAKI have published a technical bulletin warning of the potential for the P-Frame (P-Gate or Flag) to become dislodged. You can read the HAKI Bulletin TB/001 for more information. 

Stop knot 

The preferred stop knot for attaching a tie rope to the border rope is via a figure 8 knot. A half hitch or overhand knot is not! Watch the video

What to say when you’re told Edge Protection can only be put up by a scaffolder 

The easy thing for a site manager to insist on is that Edge Protection can only be installed by scaffolders. This is wrong. The installer must be competent. The installation of EN13374 Edge Protection is not covered in the part 1 scaffolding training. It is referred to in part 2. The FASET Edge Protection Course is based entirely around 
EN 13374, employs a MEWP in the practical session AND includes an assessment to confirm (or not) the competence of the installer. 

NVQ’s – Trainees need to do their bit! 

NVQ’s are all about proving competence. Proof comes in different ways. We need YOU to complete the Log Sheet to record your hours. We also need YOU to supply pictures of rigging works (up and down) to allow us to see the range of work you’ve been doing. 

BREAKING NEWS FASET ban gathering  

FASET have removed the option of gathering to reduce the size of nets. This means that from October 2023, a larger sized net can only be rolled to dress the net to the void. The out dated technique of gathering (which relied upon individual meshes) is no longer acceptable. 3 Education will continue to teach under roll. 

3 Education Training Centre shows Safety Net Recovery System 

The inflatable system is ideal for those working with about 3-4m clearance below-like deckers and flooring contractors. It’s quick and easy to use. We liked it so much we hosted a demo and videoed it to share. 
 

Tough reassessments 

The CSCS card renewal (GSA1) needs to be completed every 5 years. It is pass or fail. You are allowed to get 2 questions wrong in the theory. You are NOT allowed to get any practical wrongs. If you do, it means retraining and a further assessment. 

Consider Snow Loads in Safety Nets 

Snow will collect upon the net mesh and stick together (like making a snowball). This will load the net and potentially cause damage to it. The additional weight of the snow will also increase the net sag and therefore the fall distance. 

The easy way to make an Eaves Bag 

Visitors to 3 Educations training centre are always shown how to create an Eaves Bag. Everyone understands it on the day. Not everyone understands it a few weeks later. We have a video that refreshes the memory banks. Note: The video shows under rolling the excess from both sides evenly. You can also take NO excess from one side and ALL the excess from the other side-it’s up to you! Three important issues; tight border rope, tear drops closed off and no reliance upon individual meshes. There is no limit to length or depth of the bag. You could also look at the FASET Bulletin-27-Eaves-Bag 

BREAKING NEWS 3 Education - BSI Committee member 

We've been asked to contribute to the CEN/TC 53/WG 7. It's where we discuss and agree changes/improvements to EN 1263 -Specification for Safety Nets. We were involved in the BS 8411 committee (and recent re-write). Involvement in the European Standards committees keeps us all rowing in the same direction. Our European colleagues share similar issues to the UK, but they have their own "local" matters too-as do we in the UK. 

Coupler guidance clarified 

This newly published guidance issued by 3 Education clarifies one of the common myths when using scaffold fittings/couplers. 

Safety Nets do save lives 

The life of a metal decker was saved whilst working on a project in Gateshead when he fell into a safety net rigged by Ian Lee of Safety Net Services. Ian has been trained and assessed by us at 3 Education and the quality of his work certainly played a key part in the future of the Metal Deckers’ life. 

Netclaw 2 launched at 3 Education Training Centre 

Shire produce Netclaw 2 in response to the need for a fully captive attachment device. It means that it is fed onto the border rope in such a way that it can’t detach itself during rigging and striking. Cable ties and springs are a thing of the past! It works differently than the original, but the knack is soon learnt. 

Check out your knots 

The GSA1 now requires Riggers to show they know how to do a figure of 8 stop knot. If you don’t know how to do a joining knot and temporary repair-we’re able to give you a toolbox talk on the day. 

Meshes are not strong 

Rolling the excess net to make it fit means a group of meshes and the border rope absorb the load. Meshes acting alone are unable to absorb the load and will tear. This creates weaknesses in the net and problems with rescue. 

How to set the correct sag 

Nets must be rigged with 5-10% sag (unlike the picture). This is for two reasons:- to ensure the faller doesn’t hit anything below the net AS WELL AS minimising the impact on the fallers body by guaranteeing a soft landing. Top Tip…….Under roll the excess of the net until you think the sag is correct. As you are about to connect the tie rope or attachment device; STOP. Release two meshes, then attach the tie rope or attachment device. This will achieve the perfect sag! 
 
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