Construction Industry - Frequently Asked Questions

Q.   Do you conduct training courses on operational construction sites?

Yes.  SpanSet Instructors travel nationwide conducting a wide range of construction related training courses.  SpanSet also have a number of training centres throughout the UK.

Training in the natural work environment often has many advantages: 

• Structures at dedicated training sites can’t always replicate site – a 90m tower crane for example. 
• It can be far more convenient for the Instructor to travel to site rather than the workforce travel to a centre. 
• Instructors can also provide additional advice and guidance regarding work at height practices and procedures whilst training on the customer's site.

Q.  What training courses do SpanSet offer to rescue a crane operator stranded at the top of say a 70m tower crane?

The Safety Harness Rescue Course - Gotcha CRD  is a course designed to ensure operatives are fully trained to use the Gotcha CRD Kit to rescue an unconscious casualty, or evacuate themselves, from a tower crane or similar structure.  Course details here.

The unique, SpanSet Gotcha CRD (Controlled Rate Descent) Rescue Kit is user friendly as it comes preassembled and lowers the crane operator down at a controlled rate.

Q.  How can we safely install a temporary edge protection system?

For construction workers needing to gain access to say the edge of a concrete slab on a tower block using work restraint techniques, SpanSet offer a patented Horizontal Restraint Line system together with the training on how to use it safely.

Temporary Horizontal Anchorage Line for Work Restraint and Fall Arrest applications.

• Adjusts to a maximum working length of 20m.
• Wear indicator built into the webbing for ease of inspection.
• Integral storage bag for transport and stowage of excess webbing.
• Supplied with clear user instructions.
• Individually serial numbered certification for traceability.
• CE approved to EN795 Class C.

Work Restraint Training Course A practical course intended for those who use work restraint techniques to prevent falls from height when working near un-protected edges.

Q. What safe access and rescue training courses do you provide for the Scaffolding industry?

SpanSet offer a wide range of Training courses at our purpose built facility near Middlewich, Cheshire. 

• Our Safety Harness and Basic Fall Protection Training courses which include Safety Harness Theory  and  Safety Harness Practical Training are some of our most popular, especially within the scaffold industry.  Excellent training to ensure scaffolders can safely work at height. (Our Safety Harness Theory Training is also available online via live instructor led webinar).
• Safety Harness Rescue Course (using the original Gotch Rescue Kit).  Essential training for use of the original Gotcha Rescue Kit. This course is designed to provide workers with all the necessary skills to operate both safely and efficiently when faced with what can be a stressful situation.   On completion of training, operatives will be able to use the kit in a variety of locations, to rescue and recover a casualty who has fallen from a platform. 

Q. I'm a Construction Site Manager overseeing a large workforce who are using safety harnesses and lanyards. What training course would you recommend to help me better understand my responsibilities?

Our popular Management of Work at Height course is ideal, originally developed by SpanSet over 20 years ago and regularly updated.  

This theory based course is designed for managers and supervisors of workers who use basic personal fall protection equipment (PFPE), focusing on the planning and organising of work at height and rescue.  

It is also available online as a Webinar – saving travel and time away from site. 

Management of Work at Height Training (also available via Webinar).

Q. Apart from offering construction workers training in inspecting their own PFPE, do SpanSet offer an Inspection Service?

Yes we do.  SpanSet have for many years provided trusted independent Inspection Services to a wide range of companies from smaller businesses to long term contracts with multinationals.  We are passionate about developing strong working relationships with our customers, helping them maintain excellent safety records.  Safety - it's what we do. 

Our professional and knowledgeable Inspection Team have extensive industry experience in a wide range of sectors including Construction.   

Equipment Inspection, Testing and Asset Management is all about worker safety.  SpanSet offer a range of Inspection Services to keep a workforce safe - from Inspection On Demand to a Fully Managed Inspection Service or a Subscription Service for those requirements in between. 

Q.   How can SpanSet help us with safe lifting on site?

SpanSet design and manufacture a wide range of Lifting and Height safety products to keep construction workers safe when lifting items on site.

Examples include: 

Safe Lifting Kit – our unique and ever popular Safe Lift Kit allows workers to transport small, mixed loads to the top of structures.  The SLK features an auto lock function, protecting workers and equipment below the bag should the person pulling the lifting rope accidentally let go.  Available in different heights from 50m to 180m, cost effective and lightweight.

Grabba Bag – ideal when used in conjunction with the SLK, the unique grabba bag is waterproof, has a secure closure and is certified for lifting.  Can be used in a ‘daisy chain’, lifting with one bag under another.

Scaffgrip - designed to provide a convenient method of lifting scaffold tubes and boards in complete safety. Scaffgrip Lifting Slings have a Safe Working Load of 30Kg making them suitable to lift all standard wooden scaffold boards and steel scaffold tubes.

SpanSet developed the synthetic sling market over 50 years ago so lifting slings are part of our heritage.  We offer a comprehensive range of lifting slings, all backed by SpanSet’s knowledge and expertise.

Examples particularly relevant to the Construction Industry include:

Secutex – unique webslings, with an 'anti cut' coating, ideal for lifting sharp steel and glass.

Powerflex - Advanced Webslings with Anti Abrasion PowerFlex coating and In-built edge protection. Ideal for lifting harsher material such as concrete pipes. Lighter weight than using chains and less likely to cause damage to item being lifted.

Spectra Slings - Competitively priced general lifting roundslings and webslings from 1 to 5 tonnes.