Hinkley Point C (HPC) is the first nuclear power station to be built in the United Kingdom for a generation. SafeSmart Access UK visited Hinkley Point C and held an exhibition for Zero Harm Week.
At SafeSmart we believe harm of any kind is always preventable. SafeSmart UK brought a range of products, educating attendees about best practices when working at heights and getting hands-on with a wide array of SafeSmart products.
SafeSmart Access: Zero Harm Week
SafeSmart has been supporting BYLOR and contractors on Hinkley point C as the main provider of non-scaffold temporary access solutions for the last 7 years. In August, NNB (New Nuclear Build) reached out to SafeSmart to headline and showcase our capabilities at their Zero Harm Week event on site at Hinkley Point C, Somerset.
Engineers, supervisors, managers, and various staff from every aspect of the site came together to immerse themselves with the new innovations that SafeSmart had to offer. Everyone got firsthand experience on how their work processes could be expedited and simplified without compromising safety.
We received great interest and feedback across the board with interactions ranging from product functionality, to how SafeSmart products and services could assist with current and future projects.
SafeSmart Products Implemented on the Hinkley Point C Power Station Build
The EasyRaise Height Adjustable Platform and AdaptaSpan Modular Spanning system were two solutions that have been implemented onto the worksite and have since positively impacted the project, due to the minimal design work and speedy installation method required when implementing these products on site.
EasyRaise has been utilised in several site applications, most notably for steel fixings. The flexible height adjustment and light weight design allowed steel fixers to continue their work on a falsework deck without having to alter its design to accommodate a heavy MEWP, which would have required further training to operate.
AdaptaPanel has been used in various facets of the project, ranging from walkways for hard-to-reach areas to being used within a scaffold structure to span areas, which would have traditionally taken scaffolders and designers several weeks to design and construct.
BYLOR has shown a proactive attitude to introducing innovations when working at heights. Due to the nature of the project, the amount of personnel on site and strict deadlines, it has been imperative for BYLOR to ensure they are doing everything to uphold high safety standards and meet strict deadlines. The SafeSmart range of products are designed to increase worker efficiency, expedite project timeline, and put safety at the forefront of your project.
Contractor Testimonials
“We had a problem here at Hinkley Point C with access over pipework and concrete lines. Wooden steps were being put in place which are not in the Bylor procedures and condemned by the safety team. I contacted Tristan Ellis from SafeSmart for some advice and he suggested the use of their modular stepovers. Tristan came to site and did a display on all SafeSmart Access Systems. The modular stepovers are now in use throughout the site and have made an enormous improvement in safety standards. Tristan has a very professional and positive attitude towards any access queries that we have on site. He is willing to help and suggest improvements whenever I contact him. He is also willing to carry out training on any repair issues for stairs and safe loaders.”
John Daly
Scaffolding Construction Manager
Bylor
“SafeSmart have brought to this project the latest innovations regarding work at height solutions, which currently is our highest risk here on this site.”
James Theime
Lead H&S Advisor
NNB
“I’m pleased to share my experience with Safesmart as an approved provider of non-scaffolding access equipment on Hinkley Point C construction site. Their unwavering commitment to safety and efficiency has greatly enhanced our operations. With their advanced access solutions, we’ve been able to ensure strict compliance with the site working at height standards, mitigating potential risks. SafeSmart’s dedication to innovation and their exceptional customer support, both on and off site make them invaluable members of the HPC Way Community of best practice for working at height, regularly engaging in the forum to provide both expertise and innovative solutions to the challenges we face around working at height on site.”
Alexander Kirk BEng (Hons)
Scaffold Technical Lead / Working at Height Lead Construction Delivery Group with NNB
Hinkley Point C Nuclear New Build, EDF Energy
“SafeSmart AdjustaStairs are very convenient, very light to use, very durable and we use this right across the site, so SafeSmart all the way!”
Lance Johnson
NI1 Construction Scaffold Manager
Bylor
