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FACTOR OF SAFETY
Principal David Riches explains more about expertise in safety engineering and the design of fall protective measures .
Safety Squared is an independent safety engineering consultancy specialising in all aspects of fall protection and safety at height . This discipline covers the engineered protective measures that facilitate safe access and prevent falls from a height , including fallrestraint , fall-arrest , work-positioning , rope / suspended access , rescue , emergency-descent , powered climb-assist , walkways , stairways and ladders .
Q Please provide some background information regarding yourself and Safety Squared .
March 1995 , I opened an independent safety consultancy to serve all players in the fall protection market .
“ The advice Safety Squared provides is generally technical in nature and is based on a wealth of testing experience and research . Consultancy services are offered to companies who design and manufacture height safety and access equipment , and also companies whose staff work at height and need quality fall protection advice and equipment , including architects , safety officers and Government / MoD departments .”
“ I started my 28 year career in fall protection by falling 12 feet from a RAF Chinook helicopter onto the grass below and lived to tell the tale !
“ Upon leaving the RAF , I joined Barrow Hepburn Sala ( now Capital Safety ) as the Quality Manager at their Division near Caernarfon . During the first two years , I oversaw an average of 2 modifications or drawing changes every working day in a drive to improve product quality , reliability and production efficiency . I then became the Division Manager , finally being promoted to Technical Director with a range of remits including research and development ( R & D ). After leaving Barrow Hepburn , in
Q What is your scope of operation ?
“ We cover all industry sectors where people have to work at height during their everyday operations and who require protection from falling . This can include workers on electricity pylons , wind turbine towers , inside ships or submarines , on aircrafts , down mines , on cranes , on rooftops , or in factories or workshops . As we are a specialist service with unique knowledge and expertise , our services are utilised globally . We have worked or are currently working with clients in the U . S . A ., Japan , Singapore , Australia , Brazil , Equatorial Guinea , Europe and of course , the UK .” �
HSE INTERNATIONAL 17