The company is set to take its fall- prevention anchor devices and safe access systems to professionals who work at heights
Statistics from the International Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) indicate that in 2008, the average number of hours that were spent at heights, courtesy of rope access, totalled to 26,850; which is an increase of about five percent as compared to 2007. IRATA further indicates that the total number of accidents/incidents that were related to rope access amounted to 99 in 2008; up from the 82 that were recorded in 2007, dictating a 21 percent increase.
Against this background, it should be noted that whereas the trend in rope access is gradually going up; the introduction of more stringent precautionary measures and equipment, while working at heights, is still a gaining requirement.
Present in the Middle East for more than two years, and with a corporate message of separating people from hazards’, Kee Safety, a global supplier of bespoke safety systems for fall- prevention anchor devices and safe access systems; is set to introduce its safety solutions to the regional cleaning and facilities management industries.
Clean Middle East talked to Steve Willson, the commercial manager of Kee Safety in the UAE, and while discussing the motive behind this move, he said: “The general requirement globally on an open flat roof is to install a ‘Collective Protection’ system such as Kee Guard, which provides a free standing barrier protecting personnel accessing the roof area. Due to architectural differences in the Middle East, a visible barrier may not be possible and so our range of Kee Anchor products offers a very discreet solution. All around the GCC you can see marvelous structures which, whilst aesthetically pleasing, can sometimes pose problems for rope access professionals or people trying to access difficult facades. Again KeeAnchor and Kee I-Bolt products are designed to offer technical solutions at affordable prices”.Asked about the viability of Kee Safety’s solutions to the region, Steve said that this technology has been employed by leading facilities management companies in Europe and the USA, and he therefore believes the Middle East can benefit from these solutions as well.
In the UK our products have been highly sought after by players on the FM front, like the facilities management division of Atkins, Balfour Beatty building management & services, and the facilities management division of Carillion. In Germany, this technology is being used by more than seven major building management firms, including Bayer FM, HSG FM and Wisag FM; and BEI International, Kaufman Engineered Solutions and George M. Brown & Associates, in the USA.” he added.
Product range
The company offers a wide range of safety systems which include Kee Anchor safety solutions for a portable deadweight anchor like Weightanka, Wireanka and Accessanka; as well as Kee I-Bolt solutions, which features the removable Keyanka i-bolts and permanent Ringanka portfolio suitable for use in brick, concrete, masonry and steel. The company’s i-bolt solution offers a comprehensive selection of Class A1 Safety Anchors designed to offer effective fall arrest protection for high level window and façade cleaners or other building maintenance operatives from an ‘open window’
position. Independently tested at the National Engineering Laboratory (NEL), Ringanka and Keyanka products conform to Class A1 EN 795, BS 7883 and ISO 14567 and are CE approved to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive.
Keyanka and Ringanka
Keyanka is a removable unobtrusive safety eyebolt used in prestigious buildings or where no permanent anchor may be visible (like in hotel rooms). The eyebolt uses a permanently installed stainless steel grade 316 anchor socket which is concealed by a flush fitting white plastic cover which blends in with most interior designs. The operator, equipped with the Keyanka eyebolt at the end of their lanyard, uses a simple ‘key’ action with sprung locking movement, to provide a fast and very safe attachment. The eyebolt is able to rotate 180o whilst still attached to the socket to provide the best orientation in the event of a fall arrest situation, and can only be removed by five simple, separate but deliberate, sequential movements.
Ringanka, on the other hand, is a more permanent safety i-bolt, which can only be removed for periodic inspection. This bolt can be installed externally or internally within the building, where workers attach a lanyard and safety harness to ensure safe access and personal protection in the event of an accidental slip or fall. Available in polished stainless steel, galvanised or plastic-coated finish, the safety eyebolts can be securely fitted to different building materials such as brick, concrete masonry and steel. They come with knurled inserts and resin capsules to allow easy installation and removal.
Weightanka
This is a mobile, deadweight anchor devise designed for use on roofs up to five degrees pitch, where the absence of guardrails or permanent anchor devices would otherwise preclude safe means of access. Weightanka is the first Class E’ anchor device to be approved for use on all roof surfaces which are wet and also for use downhill on metal clad roofs (subject to the addition of two extra weights). It utilises a central pedestal (attachment point) which raises the height at which arrest force is applied, thus reducing the distance the anchor device moves during a fall-arrest incident.
Accessanka
Accessanka is designed as an accessory to Weightanka, to provide a portable anchor device for rope access workers, allowing them to work safely in accordance with BS7985, the ‘Code of Practice for the Use of Rope Access Methods for Industrial Purposes’. It does not penetrate the roof, is suitable for most flat roof surfaces and requires no attachments to structural members. When correctly installed, the system is extremely stable and does not migrate across the roof surface either in normal use or when arresting the fall of both a worker and rescuer, in case of an incident. With a maximum holding capacity of up to 200kg Accessanka conforms to Class B & E EN 795, BS 7883 & ISO 14567; and can be best used on flat roofs where access is needed for cleaning façades, windows or in case of any other maintenance requirement.
Wireanka
This is a system of deadweight anchor devices designed to support ‘Class C’ horizontal, flexible safety lines to EN 795. It is intended for use on flat roofs, in temporary situations or where penetration of the roof surfaces is not a preferred option. Wireanka is the first deadweight anchor to have been tested and approved for fall-arrest use with “Class C’ systems to EN 795.
Benefits
Compared to using cradle systems, Kee Safety’s portable deadweight anchor solution has a low cost initial outlay, inexpensive maintenance and one unit can be moved easily to several positions. Also, the entire installation poses no damage to the roof or structure.
