The survey, carried out by PMI, illustrated that the construction industry had achieved unexpected growth last year, proving that investors are still willing to put their money into construction despite the financial struggles being faced in Great Britain.

The survey showed that revenue from the construction industry had fallen from 53.2 % to 51.4%, which was far lower than the estimated 52.6% that had been predicted.

However, the part of the survey that looked at confidence within the industry found that those in the construction industry were more confident about future growth than they had been for the past eight months.

Data compiler at Markist and economist Sarah Bingham commented that the results of the survey could indicate that the UK is not in line for a double dip recession and that those in the industry could expect increased growth over the coming year.

Although growth in the construction sector, which accounts for 8% of the total economy in the UK, shrank slightly last year, the sector has been driven forward by civil engineering and house building activity.

However, this was not enough to sustain the creation of new jobs which caused employment within construction to stagnate.

Despite this, those questioned for the PMI survey contended that they were feeling optimistic about growth over 2012 and that continued work within the housing and civil engineering sectors would help keep the industry afloat.

Although there was a marked increase in the costs of raw materials and energy prices last year, this was slightly offset by a slower rate of inflation. It is hoped that the decreased inflation rates will help all sectors of the construction industry to grow, including companies providing construction materials, lifting gear hire and town planning.

Some economists are convinced that the construction industry survey presents a strong indication that the entire economy is not in fact headed for another economic downturn, but others are warning that another recession could still be in the pipeline.

There are many different types of lifting gear which require different safety testing methods. Before safety tests are carried out instruments used in heavy lifting are generally stripped and cleaned of all dirt and oil that they have accumulated since their last check.

This is normally done through industrial cleaning methods such as shot blasting or chemical cleaning which also removes paint to take machinery back to its original state. The type of cleaning method chosen depends on the fragility or size of the machinery being cleaned. For more delicate items shot blasting is not appropriate. Large items can be placed in a soak tank where chemicals gradually soak dirt and grime from the parts of the machinery. Smaller items can be placed in a type of metal laundry system or a polishing box, which is the normal method for cleaning chain.

It is very important that any machinery is thoroughly clean before checks and repairs are carried out as if it is not this can impair any maintenance that is carried out.

A repair company that deals with lifting gear will have highly trained staff who understand the rules and regulations surrounding cleaning and repairing lifting gear. They will also have access to a wide range of spare parts and other equipment to aid repair should they be needed.

Once any repair work and cleaning has been carried out machinery will then be thoroughly checked and tested to ensure safety. This can involve checking machinery for minute cracks or fractures or any flaws which could make the machinery less safe.

Any lifting gear will be measured against specific criteria to ensure that it meets all the necessary standards. Testers will also provide a thorough set of paperwork detailing all the safety tests that have been carried out and what the results of these tests were.

After all tests have been carried out and machinery has been deemed to be safe and in excellent working order it will be placed in the paint shop ready to be repainted and brought up to standard to be used again. Generally, any paint or finishing work will be undertaken by machine which gives the best result and ensures that each piece of machinery adheres to the highest standards of quality.

Most component parts need to be stripped and cleaned before they are repaired. This is carried out initially with chemical cleaning or shot blasting. This is the best way to remove any paint, grease or grime that has built up so a thorough inspection can take place.

The process for doing this will be different depending on the type of equipment that is being cleaned as some equipment is not ideal for shot blasting and may in fact be damaged by it.

Larger equipment is placed in long soak tanks, for smaller items there is a metal laundry system, whilst chain is cleaned in a polishing box.

Stripping and cleaning not only allows equipment to be examined in detail, but also improves the quality and result of repairs.

Reputable lifting gear repair services will offer a wide range of lifting gear repairs and will also have access to a large number of spare parts. Lifting gear repairs will be carried out by highly skilled professionals to ensure that all safety measures are fully met.

Lifting gear service will also incorporate inspection and testing. This is carried out after cleaning and repairs have taken place to ensure that equipment is working to the optimum level. In addition, all good companies should supply a detailed record of test and thorough examination.

Lifting gear service will also involve calibration and verification where lifting gear is measured against the standard to ensure that it is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Painting and finishing is the final part of the lifting gear service process. Equipment will be placed in a paint shop, the majority of which feature a runway system so items can be suspended and a roller conveyor for bigger and more cumbersome items.

Painting and finishing is carried out by machine which ensures that the finish is of the highest quality possible and extremely durable. All lifting gear can be colour coded and appropriately labelled after painting.

This represents just some of the activities that are carried out during lifting gear service. Servicing is an essential part of the life of any machinery and regular repair and servicing will ensure that all equipment is safe and that it lasts for as long as possible without needing to be fully replaced.

Building:

The building industry is one of the main industries which utilises lifting gear. Most building sites will house at least one crane that is utilised for lifting. In addition to cranes, various kinds of equipment like hoists and winches might also be utilised. In general, hoists and winches are utilised for getting weighty or bulky building equipment to the correct point during construction. This type of lifting gear can also be used to remove damaged or old materials. Additionally this type of equipment can also be used to construct scaffolding.

Oil and gas:

Oil and gas companies need lifting gear for the purposes of building and maintaining oil rigs and gas plants. Heavy gear, like equipment used for drilling is often utilised in the gas and oil industry and needs to be well maintained once it is put in place. As well as construction, lifting gear is also used to keep workers safe as it is essential for speedy evacuation should there be an emergency. For example for lowering lifeboats off oil rigs.

Mining:

In a similar vain to oil and gas companies, mining companies need to constantly utilise lifting gesr to get heavy industrial equipment from A to B. Lifting gear is also used to harness any coal or other materials that are mined and move them from one place to another. Different types of mining require different types of lifting gear. For instance, open cast mining utilises different means of removal than deep mining and so will utilise different types of lifting gear..

Transportation:

Transportation companies, in particular the rail industry, utilise lifting equipment frequently for various types of maintenance and construction work. Components that are used to build and maintain railways, such as ballast and sleepers, are extremely heavy and need industrial machinery to be moved around. Similarly, moving train carriages around requires heavy duty equipment that can easily lift several tonnes of weight to be utilised.

Metals:

The Metals industry, in particular the steel industry, utilises lifting gear to move extremely heavy items such as metal sheets from place to place. This means that lifting equipment used needs to be very accurate to ensure materials are placed carefully. The Steel industry needs lifting gear that can cope with several different demands as steel sheeting can be used for so many different purposes. In some cases, magnetic equipment is used.

Both manual and powered hoists are readily available. They normally come equipped with chain or wire rope and are suitable for use in several different types of job. Hand hoists can lift weights from between 500 kg to 50 tonnes and are lightweight and easy to use. You can also choose to hire lever hoists, scaffold hoists, electric chain hoists, air chain hoists, power operated wire rope hoists and builder’s hoists.

When deciding on which type of hoist to use you need to take into account the weight of what you will be lifting, the height it will need to be lifted to, whether the load is above or below ground and what length of pendant control you need.

Choosing the right type of winch to use can be difficult and there are several factors that need to be taken into account. Winches are available in both manual and powered versions and can range from lightweight, portable versions to more heavy duty, high speed models. They can also include winching accessories which enhance the performance of the winch.

Slings and loose gear can also be utilised when lifting heavy objects. Chain slings can be for more general use or have a specific purpose, such as pipe lifting and wheelbarrow lifting. They are available at various lengths and can lift various capacities of weight.

Materials handling machinery is designed to eliminate the need for manual handling in line with regulations which specify that manual handling of heavy goods is to be avoided wherever possible. Various manual handling equipment is available for hire such as Genie Superlifts,  booms, load plates, fork extensions and pipe cradles. Floor cranes can also be hired which are foldable, as well as counter balanced floor cranes.

If you are planning to hire lifting equipment then you need to ensure you are getting the right tools for the job. The best way to do this is to hire your equipment from a reputable company who will not only be able to provide you with the highest standard of tools but will also be able to give you all the correct advice on the equipment you are using.

So what are the different types of height safety equipment? Follow this quick guide to learn about the types of equipment you may encounter.

Fixed Permanent Ladders

Although moveable ladders can be used in construction and other industries to reach the heights of a building, it is often better in terms of safety and efficiency to have fixed permanent ladders installed. They are permanently attached to a building or structure making access to roofs and other higher areas a lot easier and more convenient. This makes building repairs and maintenance a lot easier. As the ladder is fixed it remains steady during ascent and descent making it safer to use. With particularly high ladders often feature a safety cage at the top.

Roof Hand Rails

Roof hand rails are often installed on the roofs of tall buildings to create a safer environment for workers as they provide something to grab onto when carrying out repair works on roofs. Most buildings of a certain height are now required to have hand rails installed on the roof.

Fall Arrestors

As the name suggests these pieces of equipment are designed to arrest a fall if it should happen. The equipment is intended to stop a fall from disabling or killing someone should an accident occur. People working at height are more vulnerable to accidents and any accident that does occur can be much more harmful and sometimes fatal. This is why fall arresting safety equipment must be used at all times when working at height. This is not only a sensible safety measure but also a requirement of the law. If you are working at height or have employees working at height you must ensure that all your height safety equipment meets the health and safety requirements laid out by the law.

Lanyards

These are flexible ropes, cords and wires worn on the body. They are intended to hold an object and keep it in sight. For example when working at heights the worker will need to keep tools and equipment close by them to avoid having to travel up and down a ladder several times. In addition the use of Lanyards ensure that if workers lose their grip on their tools at any time they will not fall to the ground and injure anyone passing below.

Read this quick handy guide to learn more about hoists and discover which is the right one for you.

1 Hand Chain Hoists

Hand Chain Hoists are modern and lightweight and can lift a range of weights from 500kg right up to 50 tonnes. The standard heights of lift include 3m, 6m, 12m and 18m. Hand Chain Hoists are lightweight and easy to handle and generally come equipped with grade 80-100 alloy load chain.

2 Lever Hoists

Lever Hoists are operated by a lever handle and are able to lift in all angled positions including upside down. They can be used for lifting, pulling, lashing or tensioning. They have an excellent strength to weight ratio and work well in most environments including extreme weather conditions.

3 Electric Chain Hoists

Electric Chain hoists vary depending on the capacity and voltage required. They are also available to suit various heights and weights or to be utilised above or below ground. They include heavy duty motors, adjustable brakes, emergency stop button and case hardened zinc plated chain.

4 Air Chain Hoists

Air chain hoists are available to suit different capacities and height of lift. They can also be purchased for above or below ground use and to be suitable for different lengths of pendant control. The standard height of lift includes 3m, 6m, 12m, 15m and 18m. This hoist has an excellent strength to weight ratio and is not susceptible to contamination, humidity or aggressive ingress.

5 Power Operated Wire Rope Hoists

These hoists are portable and powerful. In particular the Minifor range has a self -gripping system which provides grip on the wire in proportion to the weight of the load. This means that the wire is perfectly aligned to the pulley system. The length of the wire rope is also unlimited.

6 Scaffold Hoist

Scaffold hoists have a lightweight and compact design and feature automatic upper and lower limit switches. They have a dynamic and mechanical brake and top clamp assembly that is usable on all standard scaffold poles. They also feature an optional swing arm jib which fits directly to standard vertical scaffold poles.

7 Builders Hoists (Trestle Hoists)

Trestle Hoists feature a top limit switch and a three button pendant control. They have a low noise level and a robust heavy duty motor which make them ideal for continuous work.

Whilst the majority of falls occur in the construction industry, they do occur in other workplaces where people have been known to fall off roofs, ladders, through openings in floors or walls and from scaffolds.

If there is any possibility of your staff being exposed to the possibility of a dangerous or fatal fall then you need to provide training.

There are various health and safety procedures which must be followed with regards to supplying hand rails and guard rails and the wearing of hard hats, harnesses and other safety equipment.

A comprehensive training programme will teach you and your staff all about the correct health and safety procedures and equipment you need to utilise. It will also ensure all equipment is used correctly and any avoidable dangers are avoided.

Fall Protection Training should include:

Recognising Potential Workplace Hazards.

If you are responsible for safety in your workplace then you should carefully inspect all working areas and take note of any potential hazards. After deciding on potential risks you should try to minimise them as much as possible.

Fall Protection Training

All employees who use gall protection equipment should receive extensive training, Ensure that your staff understand how to use all safety equipment and have practiced using it. If your staff are using harnesses, Lanyards and other equipment they should receive training that qualifies them to inspect their equipment before they begin work. Training will also introduce them to working at height, which can be a very different experience from working at ground level.

Any fall protection training should also inform your staff about CE standards and test requirements and give staff an overview of legislation, regulations and codes of practice surrounding fall protection safety.

As well as the official training you and your staff should have, you need to encourage them to use their common sense and develop a strong sense of safety. It’s often when we let our guards down that accidents happen so encourage your staff to keep vigilant and always be aware of their own safety and the safety of those around them.

Roundslings

Roundslings are an endless loop of yarn which are covered by a woven tubular jacket. One advantage to round slings is that all of the load-bearing yarns are protected by this jacket. Round slings use polyester load yarns that are protected by a double wall, polyester cover. Sizes larger than this use an abrasion-resistant nylon, double wall jacket. All round sling jackets are color-coded along industry standards to indicate their capacity rating. While the standard configuration is endless, they are also available in eye & eye and braided styles.

Most roundslings have high strength, Aramid fibers for their load bearing yarns. These slings are the strongest and lightest slings in the world, with the lowest sling weight per capacity rating. Orange colored, double wall jackets for all sizes indicate that these slings have Aramid load bearing yarns. Tuff-Tags are standard on these, and all synthetic slings.

Wire Rope Slings

Wire Rope Slings are mainly found at construction sites because of their low cost and resistance to abrasion in construction work environments. High tensile strength steel wires are combined in various constructions to form ropes with specific characteristics. Standard constructions for slings are referred to as 6X19 or 6X36, designating the total number of wires being used. The greater the number of wires, the greater the flexibility and the lower the resistance to abrasion. Typical sling ropes use 6X19 in the smaller diameters and 6X37 at 1 ¼” diameter and larger.

Eye & Eye style slings are the most popular, but numerous end fittings are available to suit specific needs.

Chain Slings

The most appropriate type of sling that is used in extreme conditions where a normal sling would not last.  Typical environment would be foundries and steel mills.  Material used in chain slings is typically high strength alloy specific for the lifting industry.

• Never exceed the working load limit of a chain sling.
• All fittings and attachments must have a working load limit (WLL) equal to or greater than that of the chain; if not, the assembly must be rated at the WLL of the weakest component.
• Do not rest or drop load on chain.
• Eliminate all twists, knots or kinks before lifting.
• Do not point load hooks – load should be seated properly within throat opening and centered in bowl of the hook.
• Balance the load to avoid undue stress on one leg of multi-leg slings.
• Use pads around sharp corners.
• Do not use in acid solutions. Consult manufacturer for recommendations.
• If possible, avoid extreme temperatures (under 20 degrees F or over 350 degrees F).
• Temporary and permanent reductions to working load limits occur when chain slings are used at high temperatures.
• Return slings to manufacturer to ensure proper repair procedures are followed.
• Clean chain slings regularly since dirt and grit can cause wear at link bearing points.
• Protect chain from corrosion.
• Store chain slings in a clean, dry area, preferably by hanging on racks or A-frames; slings stored on floors are subject to abuse.