Working at Extreme Height

With Scaffolding operations at heights of 200m above the London skyline, GKR Scaffolding employ teams of highly experienced personnel and utilises advanced scaffolding designs to allow us to build such incredible structures safely in high risk environments.

Working at extreme heights, brings a set of increased risks which GKR have assessed and developed innovative procedures and control measures to virtually eliminate the risk of persons falling and and materials falling during the erecting and subsequent dismantle phases. In conjunction with the GKR developed Eliminate couplers, we have designed and implemented temporary working platforms as well as tethering solutions for every single component that is used to construct this impressive scaffold.

Detailed planning by the team is a key focus at GKR. We have developed our risk assessments to the point where we include other factors that could present a risk to our teams, this includes wind conditions, which working at such extremes can create a particular problem. With the use of a dedicated weather monitoring station, we are able to proactively monitor weather conditions which are also validated by the use of handheld devices at the working areas. Before commencing work, a pre-task specific safe start briefing is undertaken by the projects contracts manager which details the areas of work and re-iterates the task specific safety procedures which include our 'Buddy Checks' in which each team member undertakes a visual inspection of all the safety equipment being used, this ensures that all safety measures are in place before commencing work.

Every team working at height is led by an experienced Advanced Scaffolder with SSSTS or SMSTS qualifications to ensure that the strict protocols and procedures are followed at all times. All of the scaffolding teams working at height are specially selected based on their experience and commitment to safe working standards as well as the relevant qualifications. Standard practice for GKR is to conduct

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The client and principal contractor places a high degree of responsibility upon GKR to ensure that we carry out our works to the highest standards possible and also to ensure that our work is carried out in a safe manner as per our defined control procedures. GKR actively supervise and monitor the works to ensure a safe condition is provided throughout, not only to protect others but also the wellbeing of our own team.

Working at extreme heights does take a particular mind set and GKR ensure that only those that are capable of dealing with the demands are selected for the high-level external phases of work. GKR require any scaffolders working for them to carry out a safety critical fit for work medical to ensure that there are no significant factors that could affect their safety or that of their colleagues or others working on site or in the public domain.

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With the type of work being carried out, we cannot expect the same output of work as say, a traditional construction site, this is due to the extreme risks involved when working around ?200 metres above ground. GKR will never put pressure on our team to work unsafely to push progress, this includes working in high winds and other conditions that could affect safety. One of the implemented plans to assist in progression of work was the use of a dedicated night team to deliver and distribute materials throughout the building so that the day shift teams had all of the necessary materials to hand, this involves effective communication and planning between the customers onsite logistic team, the GKR yard and other trades on site to ensure a smooth flow of work to keep the project momentum on track.

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