Clip and stretch guard rails increase safety for scaffolders

Problem: Saffolders, the men who erect scaffolds, have no such protection until they erect it. Harnesses give some protection but they do not prevent falls, only arresting them. Because harnesses usually have to be attached to scaffolding at foot level, the majority of fatal falls occur below 5m, where harnesses are ineffective. Furthermore, harnesses restrict movement, both reducing productivity and preventing users from getting quickly out of the way of objects falling from above. Solution: Glasgow company, Turner Access, has developed an ingenious product called PlusGard. It consists of a pair of telescopic guard rails attached to two vertical members. The vertical members are attached to vertical scaffolding elements by hooks with pin closures. The pins are activated by knobs at the end of the vertical members. The telescopic nature of the guard rails is such that one vertical member can be left attached to the scaffold, while the other is lifted or lowered to the next level prior to attachment, after which the first member may be lifted or lowered. Geometry requires that the guard rail has to be able to lengthen while this is done. Once in place, the normal guard rail can be attached, leaving the PlusGard to be lifted further up, or lowered down. The equipment sets are made of corrosion proof aluminium and can be quickly broken down for transportation in easy to carry packs. Applications: Any kind of scaffolding construction, whether used indoors in a factory our outdoors on a construction site. The ideas are applicable to worker protection in a wide range of environments and are covered by patents pending. TS Turner Access