Case Studies
Confectionary Plant (Near to Sheffield)
The problem:
The client was looking for their new semi-automated line utilising a range of fencing and interlocks to be risk assessed in line with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).
The depth of the work needed to take into account the appropriateness of interlocks on the interlocking guards to be of the correct standard for the level of the risk.
The assessments also had to deal with quite a sensitive area around some of the older packing machines which were difficult to achieve the level of protection legally expected by todays standard.
The eventual solution of adapting the equipment while the addition of some simple guards combined to create a much safer work environment, to the satisfaction of the client.
Wooden Fence Manufacturers (Nottingham)
The problem:
Client worried over explosion risks from creation of wood dust. Following the Bosley wood mill explosion and fire, most likely, the client contacted Sustainable Solutions with regards to assessing their ageing wood dust extraction machines drawing wood dust from the saws and routers in their factory.
The housekeeping conditions in the factory were extraordinarily good, reducing the possibility of a devastating secondary explosion as happened at the Bosley Mill.
However, most of the equipment was indeed old. Despite this the level of protection was not compromised as most of the electric motors, driving the extraction fans were sited outside of the dangerous dusty environments and not in ATEX rated zones.
However, two of the pieces of equipment were a threat and as such, the only worthwhile solution in this case was to retro-fit two new motors to the required ATEX standard.
The client has now drastically reduced the risks of a dust explosion.
Cereal Factory (South Derbyshire)
The problem:
A large cereal factory had identified they had a confined space problem.
The client was well aware that they had approximately 60 confined spaces at their site, but they had no idea where they all were (unbelievable but true).
After spending some time with the engineering department, checking a range of process flow charts followed by a detailed survey of the site, Sustainable Solutions were confident that they had located all of the confined spaces and completed an assessment of each one.
As a result, the client now has a location chart in their permit issuing office with every confined space identified. Numeric identification is now also attached to the entrance of each confined space out on site.
The possibilities for visiting contractors to now be in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong equipment have now diminished to a much lower level. The client is not losing any more sleep over this particular problem.
Steel Fabricator (North East of England)
The problem:
The client of a busy construction yard had a free-for-all with vehicle movements on their goods in bay. Materials from a number of suppliers were allowed on site to be unloaded by gantry cranes at the same time as forklift trucks were being used to move all items either to the stores area or to the fab shops. There were pedestrians and personal cars passing through the area.
Sustainable Solutions carried out three days of observations and came up with a plan to extend the yard on one side into a derelict area, allowing room for the development and planning of a one way system for vehicles to be unloaded safely, then use a turning banjo to return back through the only entrance and exit to the site. The gatehouse was better informed as to how to control and direct all vehicles coming to site.
A lay down area was created for all incoming goods vehicles. The plans were drawn up and the American backers to the project approve a £¾ million transport improvement plan to deal with the problem. Work is currently underway to solve this problem and massively reduce the risk.
