G&M Safe Deck is the only plastic system that can be installed without the need for a structure to contain it. The addition of a simple adapter enables this unique feature.
7.5kN Loading Capacity
We have now tested for an increased loading capacity on the platform. Tested by a UKAS accredited test centre to withstand a loading of 7.5kN.
Why choose G&M Safe Deck
In comparison to systems constructed of steel. The G&M Safe Deck System has a proven life expectancy of at least 10 years. This has been proven by testing panels taken from our contracting stock that are 10 years old. The testing was successful and the old panels performed as well as a new one would. G&M Safe Deck is by far the most rigorously tested plastic system available on the market anywhere in the world.
G&M Safe Deck Ltd & G&M Safety Netting Ltd take a great deal of pride in the quality of the products we provide. Our mission is to provide safe working conditions for operatives who work at height or require safe means of access to work at height. Consequently, we can design and install quality Temporary Safety Systems for the construction industry and anywhere else. We aim to provide quality temporary safety systems that protect your employees and help you to provide safe systems of work compliant with the Work at Height Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
“We chose G&M Safe Deck over other systems because their testing and manufacturing quality is excellent, moreover we can build our scaffolding through the decking, this unique feature was a massive factor in choosing the G&M Safe Deck System”
G&M Safe Deck Ltd are proud to announce we are now an approved group supplier for Temporary Safety Systems and safety products. We are currently supplying the G&M Safe Deck System and access hatch into Taylor Wimpey projects in the North West and neighbouring counties.
As an approved group supplier we are currently working with Taylor Wimpey to develop a new product that is set to revolutionise safe access.
G&M Safe Deck Ltd both supply and install the G&M Safe Deck System and related products into the construction industry and House Building sector. Our products are available for hire and sale. Training on our products is available for all customers, ranging from product awareness to certificated courses and CSCS cards for installers.
Bookings for the FASET Platform Decking Webinar are being taken now! Click the button or image below to book the Webinar and gain access to free information on Platform Decking / Crash Decking systems.
After 2 years of development we are proud to announce a new innovation. A free standing crash deck.
Free Standing Crash Deck – Why?
In 2018 and 2019 we exhibited the Safe Deck system at the safety and health expo. We received a lot of positive feedback from the visitors to the show. In the main visitors to our stand were impressed with the G&M Safe Deck system and commented how much more versatile it would be if it was freestanding. As a result of this feedback, we went into R&D and started the process of designing a component that would enable the safe deck to free stand. After several prototypes and some small modifications to existing components we are successful.
The new component fits onto either end of a leg tube, this makes a brace. The brace connects the base plate to the head plate across 2 panels. Consequently, turning a square into 2 triangles. This works because triangles are the strongest shape and are rigid, meaning there is no need for a supporting structure to contain the deck. With a completely free standing platform edge protection would need to be incorporated to enable safe access.
FREE STANDING CRASH DECK – BENEFITS
No need for a structure to contain the safe deck
Build your structure around the deck
Tube & fit Edge Protection easily fitted
Standalone working platform
Elevated temporary walkways
Temporary access platforms for wagon loading and off loading.
Event staging
Void infill
Lightweight
External or Internal access
Non conductive for use in rail or utilities
Non-slip surface
Loadable to 2kN/m2
Resistant to chemicals and UV
Tested by a UKAS accredited test centre
The only free standing plastic system
G&M Safe Deck is the only plastic freestanding system currently available anywhere in the UK. Consequently, we can provide a deck that a structure can be built around. As a result, the risk of internal falls is eliminated at the start. So everybody has a safe area to work in.
For more information, a quote, hire or sales. Contact us.
FASET is the trade association and training governing body for the temporary safety systems industry. FASET is a non-profit organisation. Member companies make up the association and have a direct input into it.
FASET is growing in membership, now at over 50 members. FASET is an accredited member of SSiP and is therefore mutually recognised with other health and safety assessment schemes. As a result, principal contractors recognise the benefits of using member companies for their works. Subsequently with increasing regularity principal contractors specify FASET members and FASET trained operatives. This is a result of the rigorous and thorough audit. As a consequence prospective members are audited on their management of H&S, their equipment and staff. So to become a member the audit must be passed. As a result, membership will be approved by the board of directors.
The use of FASET Trained operatives does not guarantee they are a FASET Member company. Check here.
What does FASET do?
FASET as an organisation sets industry standards and good practice. Members have a direct input into the association. Consequently all members are invited to send representatives to the Health, Safety & Technical meetings. As a result members work collectively to create guidance documents that are free to all. Guidance can be downloaded from the FASET website.
The guidance developed provides a source of information for contractors and provides understanding of the industry for clients and principal contractors. Members with specialist knowledge and skills help to make up the various specialist committees working within the association.
FASET provides and administers the Safety Net Rigger Training scheme in partnership with CITB and CSCS. As a result, this scheme is the accepted route for wannabe net riggers to get qualified. So to become a qualified rigger, the Net Riggers course must be attended. Subsequently trainees learn skills and the underpinning knowledge needed to move into on the job training. This period of rigging time spent under the supervision of a blue carded rigger gives the trainee the experience they need to enrol on to he NVQ. Delivered by assessors attached to the National Specialist Accredited Centre at CITB. Assessors are industry experts and have verifiable experience and history in the Safety Net rigging industry.
Following feedback received at the Safety & Health Expo 2019 we have engaged in new load testing. Some visitors to the Safety & Health Expo who visited our stand asked us if the system could potentially take more loading than we currently have tested for. We always knew that we could with an additional support increase the loading capacity for the system. We have now undergone additional load testing. This has backed up what we already knew with test data from a UKAS accredited test centre.
What is Load testing?
Load testing involves applying loads to a component to ascertain what load it can take before and when it fails. All company’s that offer products that provide a working platform, a place of work or access or egress to or from a place of work must be able to demonstrate the equipment in use can safely take all the foreseeable loads it has been designed for.
New load testing – what we tested
We tested an 9 year old Safe Deck panel from the original production run of 1500 panels. We are not surprised to see that it performed as well as a brand new panel and withstood all the tests it was subjected to. The panel received a load of 7.5kN prior to failure. Also tested was an half panel of an similar age. This panel was tested along the cut edge which is the weakest edge. The half panel was able to take a load of 3kN at the weakest point without any support under the cut edge. It is standard practice for an installer to install an additional support under any cut edge. This is what we tested next…..
We tested a brand new Safe Deck panel. Consequently we applied a load with a centrally positioned support resulted in a massive increase to the load capacity of the 1m x 1m Safe Deck panel. Unbelievably it was able to reach a load of 16kN over a 50mm2 plate with out giving way! Adding an additional support centrally massively increases the working load far beyond what we thought it would.
So, what can it take?
G&M Safe Deck as a reputable company has to consider the way the system will be used by operatives. We aim to do this by applying a reasonable safety factor to any stated load capacity. This is likely to be 50% of the maximum applied load.
Delivered by G&M Safety Netting Ltd. Focuses on crash deck inspection and management. Platform Decking is provided by Scaffold Installers and FASET Members. G&M Safe Deck and other Systems are covered within the course. Consequently, the system components are covered by the syllabus as well as limitations and temporary works.
Platform Decking or Crash Decks as they are more popularly known are fast becoming the most popular way of providing access to work at height. As a result roofers, bricklayers and joiners utilise these systems to work safely at height. Consequently, this FASET course covers the inspection planning, management and practical issues surrounding the correct use of crash deck’s on site.
What do they do?
Platform Decking systems form a safe working platform and fall prevention system. These systems are primarily used in the house building sector. Historically contractors have relied on soft landing systems to protect their workers. This has led to house builders using, by default, systems that allow a fall to happen. The work at height regs have always required that falls be prevented where possible in preference to the use of fall arrest systems. Consequently systems that allow a fall to happen sit further down the hierarchy of control measures than platform decking systems do. As a result increasing numbers of house builders have altered their practice and moved over to crash deck systems.
Job Roles that benefit from Crash deck Inspection training
This course is for site/project managers, supervisors, health & safety professionals, principal designers and Temporary Works Coordinators / Supervisors / Designers.
Crash Deck inspection course – Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course. Candidates will know how to plan for and manage the safe installation of platform decking. Subsequently, they will understand what to expect from a contractor before work starts. As a result they will be able to identify competence, faults, resultant issues and specify remedial solutions.
Crash Deck Inspection – Why & When
Inspection of working platforms is a statutory requirement of the WAH regs. It is a clients responsibility to inspect at regular intervals. Consequently competent inspection must take place.
Platform Decking Systems are safety critical. So those persons who control work above these systems need to be able to inspect. This is so they will know if the crash deck is safe to access or not, both prior to and following handover. As a result, competence in inspection is a key aspect of using crash deck system.
Crash Deck inspection – When?
Every 7 days
After adverse weather conditions
At handover
After any alterations (New Handover)
After any circumstances that may render the system unfit for continued use (Falls of persons, debris, materials etc)
For more information or to book a course. Contact us.
G&M Safe deck business opportunities have never been greater. house builders are moving away from bean bags and traditional bird cage scaffolds. As a result there is a gap that needs to be filled. So, why not fill it? Invest in a G&M Safe Deck system and your future business.
If you are a scaffolding contractor working within the house building sector, an exciting new business opportunity exist for you. Amongst the major house builders G&M Safe Deck is a preferred system and is a standard solution for safe working & access at height. With more new sites opening up in the Midlands, Cambridgeshire, and South Wales the need for local G&M Safe Deck installers is growing. Consequently the opportunity for new business has never been greater.
Why should I invest in G&M Safe Deck?
G&M Safe Deck has been rigorously tested. We have the necessary testing data to back our claims. Consequently we can ensure you the system is robust and can stand up to many years of use in site conditions day in day out. We are the only manufacturer of plastic decking that has tested panels that are over 9 years old. As a result we can prove older panels perform as well as a brand new one.
G&M Safe Deck is the only available crash decking system that you can build a scaffold through. This unique feature of the Safe Deck panel enable you to leave the system in place. So when the need arises for a party wall scaffold you can just build it through the deck. Consequently the workspace remains safe and there is no need to strip out the decking and re-install following a scaffold install. Consequently principal contractors can see the benefits of the G&M Safe Deck system over other similar systems.
There is also no need to prop the floors following an G&M Safe Deck install as the system is lightweight. The panel is the heaviest part and is just over 10kg. Therefore considerable time and cost can be saved by using our system.
The team at G&M Safe Deck / Safety Netting Ltd have many years of experience in the Temporary Safety Systems industry. Consequently we can provide you with the right start when investing in one of our systems. Our FASET trainer literally wrote the training course, so be rest assured we can support you all the way. Our sales manager is also an industry expert and had over 16 years of experience in the industry so can advise you on the options available from hire to sale and training.
Do I need training?
Yes training is required. We can provide CSCS carded training through our FASET Training centre. Consequently there is no need to train your scaffolders! Save your CISRS card holders for the façade scaffolding and train their labourers. This way your scaffolders can install the façade scaffold whilst the labourers install the decking. As a result everybody is earning you money!
We are excited to be launching a new product in the G&M Safe Deck range of products – G&M Safe deck storage
G&M Safe Deck Stillages are now available for hire, sale or as part of a purchase of the G&M Safe Deck System. We have 2 different stillages available. We have designed a stillage that can accept 26 panels stored in 2 stacks of 13 panels side by side. Consequently, your operatives can store the panels safely without having to reach up to stack panels 25 high on a pallet as previously. The other is designed to accept 56 built legs. They are also designed to be stacked together.
Why stillages?
Storage and handling of bulk amounts of equipment has long been an issue. This is due to the need to palletise and secure the equipment safely for transport and lifting. Plant machinery such as forklifts, both standard and telescopic cannot move unsecured loads. Subsequently, your operatives spend time on loading pallets, banding or strapping the loads so they remain stable. As a result, cost in time and materials can be significant.
G&M Safe Deck Stillages
As you can see the stillages enable the safe loading and unloading of the Safe Deck components for transport and lifting by mechanical lifting aids. Ideally sized to enable their placement onto loading bays in the house build setting.
The stillages are handmade in the UK and are a steel welded construction that will serve you for many years of moving, handling and storing the G&M Safe Deck System.
For more information or to purchase Stillages. contact us
The G&M Safe Deck Access Hatch is now available. Our hatch is designed to be used as an access point through the floor in a housing unit. The hatch is easy to use and install. It can be situated where the floor is going to be cut out to install the staircase. This way the hatch does not cause any problems with the progression of the build.
Why use a Safe Deck Access Hatch?
Our hatch is designed for operatives to gain access to the upper floor levels. Traditionally, access was restricted due to the fact the staircase is not yet installed. Consequently operatives who required access on to upper floor levels were often left to find their own way in! This ultimately has led to unsafe acts taking place. In addition, poorly constructed and installed hatches were used which sadly has led to accidents happening. As a result some accidents have resulted in the victims receiving, in some cases, life changing injuries. This is as a result of falling through inadequately supported floors and unsuitable improvised hatches.
The Safe Deck Access Hatch fits between 2 joists. As a result there is no need to make significant alterations. Consequently the hatch can be situated where the stair case will be installed. As a result minimal remedial works are necessary when the staircase is installed.
What do the Work at Height Regulations Say?
Listed below are the relevant points. To read the full regulations please visit here.
Reg 8) Every employer shall ensure that, in the case of—(b) A Working Platform – Part 1 of Schedule 3 is complied with.
Part 1 of Schedule 3 (Requirements for all working platforms) states: –
In this schedule “Supporting structure” means any structure used for the purposes of supporting a working platform and includes any plant used for that purpose.
Any surface upon which any supporting structure rests shall be stable, of sufficient strength and of suitable composition safely to support the supporting structure, the working platform and any loading intended to be placed on the working platform.
Any supporting structure shall.
(A) be suitable and of sufficient strength and rigidity for the purpose for which it is being used. (C) in other cases, be prevented from slipping by secure attachment to the bearing surface or to another structure, provision of an effective anti-slip device or by other means of equivalent effectiveness. (D) be stable while being erected, used and dismantled. (E) when altered or modified, be so altered or modified as to ensure that it remains stable.
Stability of working platforms – A working platform shall.
(A) be suitable and of sufficient strength and rigidity for the purpose or purposes for which it is intended to be used or is being used. (B) be so erected and used as to ensure that its components do not become accidentally displaced so as to endanger any person. (C) when altered or modified, be so altered or modified as to ensure that it remains stable.
Safety on working platforms. A working platform shall.
(A) be of sufficient dimensions to permit the safe passage of persons and the safe use of any plant or materials required to be used and to provide a safe working area having regard to the work being carried out there. (B) possess a suitable surface and, in particular, be so constructed that the surface of the working platform has no gap. (i) through which a person could fall (ii) through which any material or object could fall and injure a person. or (iii) giving rise to other risk of injury to any person, unless measures have been taken to protect persons against such risk. (C) be so erected and used, and maintained in such condition, as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable. (i) the risk of slipping or tripping. Or (ii) any person being caught between the working platform and any adjacent structure.
Loading.
A working platform and any supporting structure shall not be loaded so as to give rise to a risk of collapse or to any deformation which could affect its safe use.
Reg 9) – Fragile Surfaces
Every employer shall ensure that no person at work passes across or near, or works on, from or near, a fragile surface where it is reasonably practicable to carry out work safely and under appropriate ergonomic conditions without his doing so.
Where it is not reasonably practicable to carry out work safely and under appropriate ergonomic conditions without passing across or near, or working on, from or near, a fragile surface, every employer shall. (a) ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that suitable and sufficient platforms, coverings, guard rails or similar means of support or protection are provided and used so that any foreseeable loading is supported by such supports or borne by such protection.
So what does all that actually mean?
So basically, any floor surface (working platform) that is used for the purpose of supporting a working platform (decking) or for person to work from (whilst installing, altering or dismantling decking) must be suitable and safe for the persons working there and any loading they will apply to it. Poorly supported hatches and floor coverings constitute a fragile surface. Consequently the W@H regs require persons be prevented from accessing such areas. If they have to, then suitable and safe platforms (decking), coverings (Safe Deck Access Hatch) or edge protection must be used.
If you would like more information, a quote or a sales call. Please contact us.
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As you can see the stillages enable the safe loading and unloading of the Safe Deck components for transport and lifting by mechanical lifting aids. Ideally sized to enable their placement onto loading bays in the house build setting.
