G & M Safe Deck is a light weight working platform that has been used widely within the industry since 2011.
All installations are carried out by our highly trained and professional erectors. Where supplied on a hire basis, its simple erection procedures make for easy installation. We can
also provide safety deck training for your own installers if required.
Our safety decking is the original and best on the market. It has been designed to be safe, swift and simple to install. The film below shows this in action.
It shows how our decking is 75% faster than scaffolding or birdcages for construction.
To install or strike the G&M Safe Deck System you will need your PPE to do so safely. PPE required:
Hard hat
Steel toe cap boots
High vis-vest/jacket
Gloves
Safety eyewear
There are 5 components:
Safe deck panel
Safe deck leg
Safe deck base
Safe deck securing pin
Cam / securing strap
All components must be inspected prior to install and free from defects. It is the installers responsibility to ensure no defective components are used. Defective components should be quarantined and removed from site to prevent further use.
Panels, base and head plates must be secured with a securing pin. Legs must be plumb, slight deviation to avoid a soil pipe is acceptable.
For larger obstructions extra legs must be used. Where used cam / securing straps must be pulled tight, cam / securing straps keep the platform secure within the structure and prevent any lateral movement.
There must be no gaps that exceed 100mm panel edge to wall. The G&M Safe Deck System must be contained within a suitable structure i.e. blockwork that has been built to the correct height, tied in with the mortar cured not green.
When complete the G&M Safe Deck System must be inspected by the installer prior to a handover certificate being issued. The installation should also be inspected by the person authorised by the client to sign the handover to ensure the platform is safe and free from defect. Both parties must sign the handover certificate.
Impressed by G&M Safe Deck? Why not give us a call or drop us an email for a UK wide quote? Do you want to find a G&M Safe deck installer near you? Use the interactive map.
At our approved FASET training centre, (Middlewich, Cheshire) we offer a range of training courses for Platform Decking and Safety Netting.
Working at height training courses are essential for ensuring the safety of individuals who are required to work in elevated positions, such as construction workers, maintenance personnel etc. These courses aim to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out tasks at heights in a safe and responsible manner.
In the United Kingdom, where safety regulations are stringent, working at height training is particularly crucial. Participants learn how to identify potential hazards and how to implement control measures effectively. Compliance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 is vital, and these courses ensure that individuals and organisations adhere to these regulations, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. By investing in working at height training courses, businesses not only enhance safety but also demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their employees.
This FASET course covers the inspection planning, management and practical issues surrounding the correct use of Platform Decking on site. ThE course also gives basic information on where Platform Decking systems fall under the various Categories in BS5975, enabling managers to better understand where Platform Decking Systems have a bearing on their role and the level of design required for different types of Platform Decking Systems and the supporting structure.
16 May 2024
18 July 2024
14th Aug 2024
Enquire Now about Working At Height Training
For more information about any of our courses including upcoming course dates and bookings, contact our training team.
Thanks to clients Taylor Wimpey for putting together this great installation video of our G&M Modular Access Platform (M.A.P.) system in action on one of their top house building sites.
It shows step by step the simple installation and dismantling of the G&M Modular Access Platform.
Our Modular Access Platform (M.A.P.) system has been purpose designed and developed by our experienced in house experts to provide a secure platform over various size voids to prevent falls whilst also providing access for operatives and materials. Suitable for use in a wide range of construction environments it is ideally suited as a cover and hatch for stairwell voids.
The system features include:
Flush fitting to reduce trips
Versatile – telescopic beams enable use in voids ranging from 2 – 4 meters in length and of any width
Lightweight modular design for quick and easy installation
To find out more please get in touch to speak to one of our experts.
In business for over 20 years and supplying industry leading safety decking since 2011, G&M are pleased to be going from strength to strength in 2023. Despite forecasts earlier in the year of a slump in house building (House building set to slump in England, warns trade body) we have been busier than ever this year.
Recently we saw 600m2 of safety Decking go out of the door on hire for 6 months to new sites in Shropshire and Stoke on Trent.
More and more of our G&M Hatch system is flooding out onto construction sites across the UK – helping to make the construction industry safer, one project at a time.
Low level platform decking system
Innovators in Construction Site Safety & Efficiency
We are still finding time to continue to be innovators. G&M are always looking for ways to improve construction site safety and efficiency when working at heights – even when those heights are not very high. Following successful trials of our low level decking system earlier in 2023 Redrow Homes have now invested in this System.
Customer Service at its Best
We know that the key to our success is looking after our customers and customer service is at the heart of what we do. Last month we were also pleased to help a customer who was let down at short notice. G&M stepped in to provide decking for 4 sites to start in Halewood, Prescot, Widnes and St Helens, with over 700 hundred houses in total. The safety decking for this project was all sorted for the customer within 2 hours!
Safety Decking at Wincham Brook, Northwich
Aerial views of G&M Safety Decking in action at Wincham Brook in Northwich (July 2023).
At G&M we specialise in the design, supply, installation and testing of a wide range of fall arrest products and systems in line with current legislation to ensure site personnel are safe when working at height. We also offer a comprehensive training programme to ensure site personnel are competent when working at height.
Whatever your working at height requirements don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Leading House Builder Persimmon Homes is requiring recognised training for all installers of platform decking on their sites.
In April 2023 we were proud to welcome all from Persimmon Homes to our purpose built dedicated training facility training facility in Cheshire for their 1st FASET Platform Decking for Managers Course.
The course was run in conjunction with FASET – the established trade association and training body for the safety netting and temporary safety systems industry read more.
Persimmon Homes based in York is one of the UK’s premier housebuilding companies. They are leading the way in site safety by bringing in new competency requirements for safety decking contractors. By the start of next year Persimmon Homes are requiring all installers of platform decking on their sites to hold FASET CSCS Blue cards for installing platform decking. The CSCS Card scheme provides the Site Manager with quantifiable proof of training and assessment. They are also looking for installation companies to hold the FASET SSiP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) audit certificate to demonstrate corporate competence.
We have also since welcomed mangers from Wain Homes, Morris Homes and TJM Projects on the FASET Platform Decking for Managers Course and looking forward to welcoming more in the coming months.
Platform Decking, why do people call it crash decking?
Why do people use the words crash decking? what is safe about a crash?
The term crash decking implies there is going to be some kind of impact, crash or fall from height. As can be seen below, definitions of the word “crash” do not describe accurately what Platform Decking is and it’s function. Platform Decking is the correct term for a group of proprietary safety systems. Used in the construction industry to provide collective fall prevention and a safe working platform.
Crash Decking?
What does Crash mean?
crash – verb
verb: crash; 3rd person present: crashes; past tense: crashed; present participle: crashing
So – Smash into. Collide with. Be in collision with. Hit. Strike. Ram. Smack into. Slam into, Bang into. Cannon into. Plough into. Run into. Smash. Wreck. Bump.
History of the word crash
In the 1800’s “Crash” was a little used word, probably down to the fact the main mode of transport back then was either walking or riding horses and then horse drawn carriages. In 1885 Karl Benz, who only a few years earlier invented and patented the first internal combustion engine built his first Motorwagen. Motor Vehicles then become widely available to the public in 1908 when the Ford Motor Company released the Model T. Interestingly for the word “crash” it is around this time when “crash” took a sharp upwards turn. Consequently becoming a more widely used term to describe what happens when 2 vehicles collide with each other. The increase continued until just before 1950 when there was a drop. Almost certainly due to the fact that the vast majority of men were involved in WW2 rather than driving their cars around. Following the 1950’s the use of “crash” steadily increased over the next 60 years to 2010. In 2019 the word “crash” is used to describe various unfortunate outcomes such as “the banking crash” just prior to 2010. “a car crash” “a plane crashed” in the case of a comedian who was not funny they would “crash and burn”. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 1.25 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes.
Use over time for: crash
So we hope this helps to explain how the word “crash” doesn’t really describe what a Platform Decking System is. G&M Safe Deck Ltd providing safe conditions for those persons who rely on Platform Decking to protect them whilst working at height.
Team G&M’s Training Centre Manager, Daniel Lewis stepped up to receive the award at the largest ever FASET AGM & Awards at Tewkesbury Park Hotel on November 24th, attended by 100+ delegates.
He said: “It’s a privilege to receive this FASET Award and a testament to all the hard work the G&M training team puts into up-skilling hundreds of construction workers and managers, every year. The M.A.P System was a big team effort across the group, we are delighted.”
G&M Group Managing Director, Mark Pickles added: “I am so proud of what our team achieves in our training facilities each year and this award goes a long way to recognising the huge commitment levels towards health and safety and training excellence, year on year. Thanks to all the team for their continued dedication and hard work.”
FASET MD Tony Seddon said: “The work of FASET members – sub-contracting and training – is often extremely challenging, complex and is far from simple. And we shouldn’t forget – what they do every day saves lives. And that fact cannot be understated.”
G&M Group launches the G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system –
Designed to dovetail with scaffolding – expanding their range of industry-leading working at height protection systems
The all-new working G&M platform hybrid connector has been designed to allow the standard system to be used with industry standard 48.3mm steel tube and fitting scaffolding or key clamp fittings – with G&M’s market leading Safe Deck panels fitting on top as the working platform.
The fast, safe and innovative G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is the one of the first systems of its kind to be brought to the UK construction sector – offering maximum versatility, ease of use and productivity on-site.
The G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is fully compatible with scaffold jacks or base plates. This enables a wide variety of bay configurations to suit project sizes and, like G&M Safe Deck itself, it is also another freestanding system solution allowing the mix of steel or plastic legs to be utilised, for maximum ease of use.
Fully compatible with existing base/head units and tested to load Class 4 to BS EN 12811-1, the G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is available for nationwide hire or purchase from the UK-wide G&M Group depots.
G&M Group Managing Director, Mark Pickles said:
“The G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is the next generation of our market-leading, highly cost-effective working platform system that’s taken the UK construction scene by storm. It offers quick and simple superior protection of site personnel whilst working at height and the ability to be able to dovetail with existing scaffold temporary works, safely and compliantly.”
“Along with G&M Safe Deck freestanding and our Modular Access Platform (MAP) system, this new hybrid system is the third major product launch since the pandemic and showcases the prolific safety innovation we offer our housebuilding, timber frame, scaffolding and other construction clients right across the country. It’s cost effective, quick and easy to use we are excited to launch it to our nationwide clients.”
The all-new G&M Safe Deck Hybrid system is available for hire and sale nationwide now.
For technical enquiries or to request a quotation, contact a member of our sales team on 01606 834 630 or office@gmsafedeck.co.uk. Bulk discounts are available.
Leading construction industry work at height safety training and temporary safety systems brand, G&M Group have created a brand new stairwell void cover and hatch system –MAP Modular Access Platform Safety System – in response to a series of costly industry accidents.
The all-new G&M MAP – Modular Access Platform – Safety System
Has been specifically designed for use in stair voids in residential and commercial construction projects; to avoid further injury and loss of life caused by a series of serious accidents in recent years.
Accident example:
In 2018, three bricklayers fell 2.5m onto a concrete floor, as a temporary stairwell cover gave way, leading to life changing injuries for all three and a £213,332 fine for a leading house builder. The HSE reported that the site did not have a robust enough system in place to ensure the temporary stairwell cover was clearly identified as a temporary working platform.
This is just one of several high personal and financial cost incidents in the UK construction scene alone, resulting in life changing work at height injuries and potentially even death.
And after a near miss on one of the housing sites involving their own operatives over a stairwell void, safety-driven work at height providing family firm, G&M, said enough was enough.
They have now used their product development skills – famous for bringing the market-leading G&M Safe Deck working platform and other top temporary safety systems to the market – to develop the all new G&M MAP Safety System.
G&M M.A.P Safety System:
Designed to be a safe, strong and stable platform over stair voids, the new G&M MAP System offers:
A unique flush fitting design, removing the tripping hazard caused with other stairwell covers that sit on top of the opening.
Savings on the waste and cost of installing sacrificial joists and flooring over stairwell openings.
A robust system that can be loaded to 2.0kN/m2.
Telescopic Joists: Typically three telescopic beams are screwed in place to support the decking panels. This ensures that the platform is securely fitted and level with the floor.
Use in a wide range of stairwell sizes from between 2-4m long and between any width. It is also suitable for use in L shaped stairwells and openings next to party walls are no problem as the system is recessed into the stairwell void.
Ability to be fixed in place to prevent accidental dislodgement or removal.
Easy installation – by one man in as little as 10 mins – within manual handling regulations.
An incorporated access hatch within the system – allowing all trades to access floors and allowing materials to be passed up with safety and ease.
The G&M MAP Safety System can be installed at the earliest stages of construction – directly after the joists and other load bearing members have been installed – and can then be used in conjunction with ladders or other temporary access stairs systems.
Additionally, access hatches in the platform can be configured as required to allow full or partial access for operative and materials, working alongside another key safety system product; G&M Safety Decking Hatch. And additional platform panels can also be easily removed to accommodate access for larger or irregularly shaped equipment or materials.
And the new, lightweight, modular G&M MAP Safety System offers incredible versatility, making it suitable for use and re-use on wide range of construction projects.
G&M Group Managing Director, Mark Pickles said:
“The MAP Safety System has been born out of an urgent need to stop accidents and injuries occurring on construction site temporary stairwells. People are going to be losing their lives and are already suffering horrible, life affecting injuries from unnecessary falls from height on building sites.”
“Even with all our decades of safety training and highly skilled operatives, we came close to having an accident on a site recently – so something had to be done.”
“The answer was to use our safety and construction know-how combined with our expertise in manufacturing temporary safety systems for work at height – creating a perfectly designed product to eliminate the risk of falling through a stairwell void.”
“G&M MAP System is the only multi configurable system that can be installed flush in to the stairwell void eliminating the use of sacrificial joist and beams. The standard telescopic beams can be installed into any sized void from 2.2-3.4m – by just one operative. And the G&M boards are then placed onto the beam flush to the floor eliminating any trip hazard and enabling any decking system to be installed on top. It’s a brilliantly safe design that is cost-effective and easy to install.”
“Other hatch system products are available on the market for this fall from height issue, but G&M’s system is stronger, safer and more advanced, needs no back prop for strength or board spacers for unevenness (as G&M system is more robust and sits flush to the floor) and has the highest load class. And crucially, rival systems sit between 50 and 70mm above the floor height, causing trip hazards – the main cause of accidents and injuries in scaffolding and work at height.”
The G&M Group is a family run business that has supplied the construction industry with a wide range of fall arrest systems and products since 2001 under the trusted names of G&M Safety Netting Ltd and G&M Safe Deck to ensure your site personnel are safe from the start of the job until completion.
Passionate about safety, they introduced G&M Safe Deck to the construction industry in 2011, the original orange system, and it has since earned the reputation for being the strongest and most versatile product on the market. With our head office in Cheshire and a depot in Manchester and Coventry we are ideally located to provide a cost-effective nationwide service.
FASET-approved training centre in Cheshire available to book for a wide range of courses.
For technical enquiries or to request a quotation, contact a member of our sales team on 01606 834 630 or office@gmsafedeck.co.uk. Bulk discounts are available.
G&M Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary and Launches G&M Group
Leading construction industry work at height safety training and temporary safety systems brand, G&M Safety Netting Ltd/G&M Safe Deck have re-branded – launching G&M Group – in the year the company marks its 20th year in business.
Established in 2001-2 by founders Geoffrey Irlam and Managing Director Mark Pickles, the G&M Group – known (and still trading) as G&M Safety Netting Ltd and G&M Safe Deck – is still a family-run business today; delivering quality safety training and safety enhancing products to the UK construction sector’s main contractors nationwide.
Based at Middlewich in Cheshire – where there is now a state-of-the-art training facility in place offering a wide range of FASET and other courses to riggers, deckers and managers alike – the firm has grown to now have operational centres in the midlands and South West, serving the construction, house-building, timber-frame and other sectors country-wide.
The decision to re-brand to G&M Group has come as the business is set to launch a series of innovative new products in their 20th anniversary year, which will boost their existing offerings of G&M Safe Deck, G&M safety netting, stair towers, edge protection, rope access and other leading work at height safety products.
G&M Group Managing Director, Mark Pickles said: “The launch of the G&M Group brand is a fantastic way to celebrate two busy, successful decades of trade within the construction sector. We are so lucky to have kept some of original team members – including Sean Barber who has worked with G&M from the beginning – and to have such a great team of people in the office training centre and on-site installing. WE are a great team offering the best products, training and customer service.
“And with three new safety enhancing, time and money saving products about to launch in 2022, the future looks bright for the G&M Group and our many valued customers. Here’s to the next 20 years!”
For technical enquiries or to request a quotation, contact a member of our sales team on 01606 834 630 or office@gmsafedeck.co.uk. Bulk discounts are available.
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