BSIF Highly Commended Product Innovation Awards

Brilliant Ideas: The Hole System

Launched in June 2016, the system was developed to address a number of issues. There is often a need to drill holes into the underside of concrete floors to allow false ceiling, pipework and services to be hung. Frequently precast hollow core floor beams need to be drilled to release water trapped in the cores. To drill these holes usually requires the operative to set up a tower scaffold, climb up it and using an electric drill, drill the holes above their head. Whilst drilling the holes the operative is exposed to HAVS from the vibration of the drill and electric shocks from the water coming out of the cores.

The water in the cores mixes with the concrete dust forming a very high alkaline liquid. When weep hole drilling takes place this liquid sprays out over the drilling operative, often causing chemical burns and skin irritation. The drilling operative can get repetitive strain and shoulder damage from constantly pushing the drill
upwards, as it is a very arduous job. In addition silica dust falls directly onto the operative's face, body and clothes exposing the operative to a high amount of hazardous silica dust even when the drilling has finished.

All this hazardous work is undertaken whilst working at height. The operative is constantly climbing up and down the scaffold tower, moving the awkward heavy tower to new locations and rebuilding it to mark and drill the holes.

Brilliant Ideas looked at this problem and came up with its patented "Hole System". This system consists of a lightweight telescopic pole with a foot pedal cam and interchangeable heads for marking, drilling, raw plugging and filling holes, all from ground level. A hole can be drilled by placing a standard SDS drill into the holder with in built vacuum cup. The drill speed is controlled by a handle further down the pole. To drill the hole, line the drill up to the pre marked pen mark, accelerate the drill by squeezing the handle at the operative's waist height which in turn pulls down on the drill's trigger. The drill will be raised upwards when the operative places his foot on the foot pedal cam. Any dust created by the drilling process will be captured at source and directed into a vacuum cleaner. The innovative concept totally removes the dangers of working at height.

The product does not use cutting edge technology or miracle new materials but it is a practical design which combines several off the shelf parts combined with some simple engineered parts to form a unique easy to use and maintain product. There is no doubt that the system brings massive improvements in occupational health and safety by allowing holes to be marked, drilled, raw plugged and filled from the safety of the floor whilst saving time setting up and repeatedly climbing up and down tower scaffolds. Going forward there is no reason why numerous new attachments cannot be developed to allow other trades to work safer.

It is hard to quantify how many accidents have been prevented but there is no disputing the fact that the Hole System removes many of the short and long term hazards associated with drilling soffit holes.

JSP: Visilite Helmet

Introduced in November 2016, the VisiLite Helmet Illumination System was developed by JSP’s research and development team as a method of increasing worker visibility without dazzling colleagues in close proximity. Designed for individuals who are at risk of being struck by moving vehicles or who are working in low light conditions and need to be seen, when just wearing high visibility clothing is not enough, the VisiLite is said to be the perfect solution for workers on construction sites, trackside, mining, quarrying, highways and utilities.

Using fibre optic technology the VisiLite offers a new innovative solution which takes worker visibility on site to a higher level of safety, the VisiLite is designed to easily be retrofitted to the JSP range of Evo safety helmets. According to JSP, it offers a unique solution not offered by any other Helmet manufacturer.

The VisiLite has a unique fibre optic lighting system and tough ABS casing making it highly durable to withstand knocks and scrapes. It offers three lighting modes – static, fast flash or slow flash to suit the user’s needs and is visible up to 50M. LED lights shine low level light down the fibre optic which is refracted by the engraved logos on the flexible optic strip. The unit is USB rechargeable, comes with a Micro USB cable and can be charged whilst fitted to the helmet thus making it a sustainable solution. VisiLite is splash proof making it suitable for use in wet weather conditions. It has an operating temperature range of: 50 to -10°C.

The VisiLite has brought new fibre optic lighting technology that can be worn in almost all working conditions to a piece of mandatory critical PPE worn on the head every day. It has almost certainly improved Health and Safety working practices on site, wearers already understand the need to wear a hard hat and now with this simple add on lighting system that fits onto a piece of safety equipment that is already being worn every day, employees and employers can help to ensure the safety of their workers and avoid a potential incident at work.

JSP believes that individuals who are wearing VisiLite are immediately at less risk of accidents or worse. Feedback from construction site workers has been very positive as they now feel more visible on site from dusk till dawn or in bad weather conditions. Several large principle contractors have already adopted the VisiLite helmet illumination system for their sites and endorse it the system as best practice.