Oliver Connel and Son Ltd. are civil engineering contractors who provide infrastructure for many sectors, one of which is rail.
Identifying the Challenge
During night track works in London, workers needed safe and efficient access from the platform to the tracks. Previously they have been walking to the end of the platform, which resulted in a lot of time lost.
OC&S contacted British portable height access maker SafeSmart Access for a solution.
Supplying the Solution: Fibreglass AdjustaStairs
SafeSmart had the answer in a standard-line product. Although for OC&S, it was a variation on their popular aluminium AdjustaStairs unit – a fibreglass AdjustaStairs option.
Available in a variance of sizes and step counts, AdjustaStairs feature length adjustability, collapsible handrails, and most importantly for OC&S, easy portability by hand. And given the dangers presented by an electrical environment such as that found in rail, the units were custom ordered in high quality non-conductive fibreglass construction. Also, the handrails allow the worker a free hand for carrying tools whilst easily balancing themselves.
The Result
Oliver Connell are so happy with the fibreglass AdjustaStairs units they have ordered another five sets; they have already seen improvements in efficiency and safety from the very first installation; they consider the product as an integral part of similar future projects.
SafeSmart’s Stefan Gould has seen an increase in demand for the fibreglass variant.
“Since fibreglass AdjustaStairs were released, the word has gotten around,” says Stefan. “We are now getting enquiries from everyone from electrical contractors to other companies in rail and light rail infrastructure. And with custom options for scaling higher heights, we are also seeing enquiries from the construction sector.”
“John Pop of Oliver Connell said that the stairs had saved the guys hours overall and were quick and easy to set up,” says Stefan. “And David Smith the health and safety officer is pushing for more efficiencies in safe access in view of making the guys on site safer as well as reducing precious man hours. And within days of the stairs being used for the first time, Network Rail saw Oliver Connell using them and complimented them on their drive for safety and efficiency.”
