U-shaped mats help boost safety on site
February 1st 2006

Totty Construction has expanded the use of fall arrest air mats on its £4.7 million project to construct a new Express by Holiday Inn in Leeds. The contractor uses the mats in an innovative configuration at the Clarence Dock redevelopment to prevent falls from height when materials are unloaded.

By fixing the mats together into a 'u' shape, it has created a vehicle docking system, enabling operatives to unload materials from wagons safely and efficiently. Dr David Resendez, group health & safety manager, says: "Off site manufacture represents a major element of this project and from the outset we looked into a robust fall arrest system that would protect workers from falls from height during unloading procedures.

"As a passive system, the innovative use of existing technology enables the protection to be in place immediately the wagon arrives on site, without the need for workers to use harness-based arrest systems."