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Morgan Est goes electronic with scaffolding inspections at Olympics site

To keep up with health and safety requirements, Morgan Est, trialled a new electronic system from Scafftag to streamline the process of inspecting and decommissioning its scaffolding structures on three Olympics sites in the south east of England.

The safety and efficiency improvements were so visible that the company has adopted it as a permanent feature and is looking at rolling out the system further across the company.

• To view a full PDF of this case study click here

Safetrak is a unique electronic system designed to transform safety, maintenance and identification activities into paperless, efficient and simplified processes and is made up of several integrated components:

• Scafftag visual tagging systems enclosing an ‘automatic identification’ chip (principally
  Radio Frequency Identification (RFID))
• Mobile computers
• Safetrak core software (planning and reporting function)
• Plug-in inspection software modules for managing specific equipment
  e.g. scaffolding, ladders, lifting equipment etc

A Scafftag visual tag is attached to each scaffolding structure. The electronic chip contained within each visual tag has a unique reference number to identify the specific structure. The unique structure references are entered into the Safetrak system and a current status report is created for each scaffolding structure.

Inspection routes are then planned using the core Safetrak software. These are downloaded to the mobile computers and given to the qualified scaffolders to take out with them in the field.

The mobile devices then guide qualified scaffolders through planned routes, identifying the correct location. By scanning the visual tags, the correct specific structure can be confirmed. The required inspection checks that must be made are then specified, either for a weekly inspection (pass/pass with observations or fail), or a handover.

This means that for a report to be generated, the qualified scaffolder physically needs to be at the correct structure and scan the visual tag. This eliminates the risk of vital information being forgotten between being onsite inspecting and returning back to the office to write up a report - or a report being created without a qualified scaffolder being present.

The results of the inspection are recorded onto the handheld devices. Once the handheld devices are returned the office the data can be downloaded and recorded in the core software. This centralises all of the information collected in the field, providing the relevant managers with the latest status and an audit trail for all of the scaffolding structures. Any non-compliances are identified immediately, allowing them to be dealt with instantly.

Since adopting the system on a trial basis, Morgan Est has seen a significant reduction in the time taken to carry out inspections and complete reports, as well as a decrease in the potential for human error.

For Morgan Est this is a hugely beneficial system for their customers. Sally Keill, Business Improvement Delivery Manager for Morgan Est explains: “Customers are able to access all of the relevant information instantly through the email that is automatically generated containing the scaffold register, which ensures that all the scaffolding structures conform to the legislation. Demonstrating value for money to our customers is very important to our business. Now we can show that our systems are as streamlined and effective as possible, whilst ensuring maximum safety compliance. It gives customers that extra piece of mind.”

The trial was so successful with Morgan Est that Sally entered the Safetrak system for an internal best practice award. It gained Highly Commended in the company’s internal Best Practice Awards October 2008 and runner up in the ‘collaboration’ category at the 2009 Supply Chain Conference Awards. Sally adds: “This was a fantastic achievement for a new technology project and we were really pleased. During the six month trial a thorough evaluation was carried out and an assessment was made as to whether we continued to work with the system. It was agreed that it would be of a benefit to the business and so we have now invested in the Safetrak system. “

Further information:

For information on the Safetrak system:
www.scafftag.com/safetrak
For specific information on Safetrak for scaffolding:
www.scafftag.com/safetrak-scaffolding
Tel: +44 (0)845 089 4060
Email: enquiries@scafftag.com