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Fri March 29 2024

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Safety alert for piling contractors

29 Jan 14 The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) has issued a safety alert warning of the dangers of setting up rigs on poor working platforms.

The consequence of a poor platform
The consequence of a poor platform

The warning follows a number of reports from its members that they are being asked by clients to work on inadequate platforms.

FPS chairman Jim De Waele said: “It is concerning that as the economy improves, FPS members are increasingly arriving on-site only to be met with a poor, or even no working platform, and this is extremely worrying.”

Thirteen years ago FPS members passed a resolution agreeing not to start work on any site unless a properly completed ‘working platform certificate’ had been issued. 

“Since then, thankfully, the number of incidences of rig instability involving FPS members has declined significantly,” Mr De Waele said. 

“However, now that we are witnessing an upturn in work, we must not forget the lessons of the past. We feel it right to raise awareness of this important and extremely safety critical issue, to the wider piling community and not just within the membership.  We would also urge clients and principal contractors tempted to cut corners with such a safety critical area to consider the implications and to not put pressure on the piling contractor to work under such circumstances.”

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