In Malta’s biggest harbor, a big electrification project is ongoing to energize cruise liners and cargo ships with clean electric energy instead of diesel fuel. For the intensive underwater works, contractor Pina Dalgıçlık İnşaat San and Trade is using an Atlas Copco handheld breaker and power pack. An ideal fit for the ultra-tough and unusual cable laying project.

Rock breaking projects on land are tough, but nothing your Atlas Copco handheld breaker can’t handle. Fracturing rocks underwater, on the other hand… now there’s a challenge of a much higher order. Just ask Pina Dalgıçlık İnşaat San and Trade (PDIST), a specialist underwater contractor based in Bakırköy, one of the oldest districts in Istanbul, Turkey.

The company is currently using Atlas Copco’s robust LH 390 pneumatic breaker for an intensive eight-month underwater electrical infrastructure project, as part of a wider effort to energize cruise liners and cargo ships across Turkey and Malta. The ‘Malta Medium Voltage Underwater Cable Laying’ project will enable vessels to plug into shoreside electricity to charge onboard systems while berthed at port, swapping out the need for fuel-dependency in place of clean electric.

Coupled with Atlas Copco’s LP 18-40PE Hydraulic Power Pack, the LH 390 handheld hydraulic breaker is being used to crush rocks beneath the water’s surface in order to prepare the area for underwater electric cables. On land, the LP 18-40PE Hydraulic Power Pack transmits power to drive the submerged LH 390 breaker unit, which is tasked with the demanding job of fragmenting rocks and dislodging them from the ground to forge a clear path for the cables, which will transmit electricity to allotted on-land charging ports.

The Atlas Copco LH 390 hydraulic breaker is designed for tough applications

While such a demanding application may land other air units in troubled waters, Atlas Copco’s LH 390 hydraulic unit has proven itself to be tough enough to take such a challenge in its stride. As one of the most powerful handheld breakers in the world, the titan LH 390 is designed to break anything, anywhere. Weighing 33 kg and offering 125 bar of pressure, its high pressure-to-weight ratio also means users can achieve optimal performance without compromising on portability.

The LH 390 handheld breaker is coated with premium water resistant, anti-corrosion and anti-rust paint, meaning it can be plunged in saline ocean water and remerge unscathed. Before use, the machine’s unparalleled robust design and high-quality components are also rigorously tested at Atlas Copco’s in-house testing facility, ensuring it is suitable to weather any storm.

Vibro-reduction technology

The PDIST team is required to physically dive underwater to power their tools, which is why it is important to not only have a breaker unit that is tough enough to crack rocks underwater, but also easy to manoeuvre and work with. Fortunately, Atlas Copco’s LH 390 handheld breaker’s slim design and lightweight design offers a smooth user experience.

“Mobility is one factor that is really critical to this operation; we are routinely diving into the water to remove rocks and debris from the seabed, then swimming back up to the surface again – all while operating and carrying our handheld breaker. The LH 390’s high power to weight ratio means we can get plenty done in a short space of time, improving our team’s productivity and enabling us to ‘crack’ on with our project with ease – pun intended”

Serdar Yaygili, General Manager from PDIST

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The new catalogue features all of Werner’s products and has been updated to include the recently launched Pro Plus Tower, as well as other new bestselling products including the LEANSAFE^® X3 and Adjustable & Linking PRO Platform.  

For over 100 years, the Werner brand has been revered across the industry for its broad product line and its commitment to placing safety at its fore. Its vast range of products have been designed with the user in mind, helping to make working at height safer and faster, whatever the job. 

The catalogue includes Werner’s entire portfolio of extension ladders; stepladders; roof ladders; fibreglass ladders; aluminium ladders; telescopic ladders; stepstools; work platforms; access towers; loft ladders, and lock-in accessories such as paint cups and utility buckets. 

Mark Robson, Product Manager at Werner, said: “Werner takes considerable pride in its continued investment in new products, markets and technologies. The Werner brand has achieved some exciting new developments and milestones over the past year, such as its 100-year anniversary and the launch of new innovative products such as the Pro Plus Tower, and we are excited to launch a new catalogue which reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation, and also its reputation as the number one choice for professionals.”  

Featuring product specifications, designated usage and key benefits, as well as explaining European safety standards, the catalogue is the ideal tool to assist professionals with choosing the most suitable working at height equipment for their professions.  

In addition to extensive information and guidance in the brochure, Werner’s recent campaign, Stepping Up to Ladder Safety, offers five individual guides highlighting how professionals can choose the right equipment for the job and how to undertake best practice when working at height.    

To view Werner’s new product catalogue, visit www.wernerco.com/uk/literature.  

To find out more about the products available from WernerCo, visit www.wernerco.co.uk 

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Powerday currently operates a fleet of over 70 vehicles, servicing construction clients across the south east. The two new Volvo electric vehicles will come into service in September and are expected to save more than 30 tonnes in CO₂ emissions per year. The new skip loaders will initially be based at the company’s Old Oak Sidings site, in north west London.

Transition to electric

The shift to using the electric skip loaders comes after Powerday launched its latest Sustainability Manifesto, which revealed its commitment to achieve net zero status by 2040.

The annual report outlines the company’s targets for the year, and reports on progress for the previous year, under five sustainability pillars: employees, community, carbon management, clients, and procurement. 

Powerday has been measuring its Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2020. It has set the 2040 net zero target – relative to a 2021 baseline – with interim goals of a 20% reduction in 2023, 35% by 2026 and 50% by 2030. The commitment has been registered with SME Climate Hub to count towards the UN Race to Net Zero.

A revolution in skip loading vehicles

Driven by a two-speed transmission, offering a smooth and comfortable driving experience, the Volvo’s electric’s power is handled by a unique traction control system developed to master even slippery surfaces, while different drive modes are available to set the desired performance, comfort, and energy usage levels.

Equipped with four batteries, it offers a range of approximately 190km and can be recharged in just 2.3 hours using the 150kW DC charger that has been installed at Powerday’s Old Oak Sidings site.

Chris Donnelly, Sales Director, Volvo Trucks commented:

“Powerday conducted trials last year when we first launched our fully electric skip loader demonstrator, installing infrastructure at its own cost for the trial to take place.  This showed immediate commitment and we were very grateful.

“The data following the trials was staggering. We had predicted returns of course from our Electric Range Simulator, however, the performance was far better than expected. We congratulate Powerday on its bold environmental targets and look forward to supporting them on its road to Net Zero.”

Edward Crossan, CEO, Powerday, added:

“In line with our net-zero roadmap, adopting these electric skip loaders into our fleet shows our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to cleaner air and environment in London.

“As a pioneer in the waste management industry, we proudly stand as the first company to embrace the future of sustainability. By investing in electric skip loaders, we lead the charge towards cleaner, greener solutions.”

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Sustainable cleaning plays a major role  in supporting a company’s overall sustainability goals. It creates a good brand image for your company, slashes energy costs, promotes green procurement as well as care for the planet and its people.

According to a 2021 consumer intelligence survey report by PwC, 76 percent of consumers are likely to stop buying from a brand that doesn’t practice sustainability. From the same report 84 percent of employees prefer to work for a company that cares for the environment. (¹)

One of the ways a facilities management team can boost sustainability efforts is to adopt a green cleaning strategy. Unfortunately, using traditional cleaning chemicals poses a health risk, whilst sustainable cleaning products will take greater care of your employees and the environment. The best way to clean green is to use a cleaning product that will biodegrade completely within a short time frame, within 28 days.

The way the products are packaged is also really important to think about. For commercial cleaning products these should be as concentrated as possible. For example, a multi-purpose 1.5 litre pouch uses 90 percent less plastic than a jerry can and makes 275 spray bottles, massively reducing the carbon footprint and plastic waste generated.

Recyclable components

Fitting products with trigger heads that are made from 33% PCR plastic with no metal parts, and are fully recyclable, as some of our products are, also helps with sustainability. Their use stops 7.5 tonnes of virgin plastic from entering the supply chain, with CO₂ emissions reduced by 13% and wastewater by 17%. Responsible sourcing of cardboard packaging also reduces our CO₂ emissions by 25%.

Another important factor to consider is the impact a product has on the user. Basically a green cleaning product should not be classified as an irritant to skin or corrosive  in its diluted state.

Sustainability high on the agenda

Sustainability is high up the agenda for businesses across most sectors, with environmental impact becoming a major driver in procurement decisions. This is sure to accelerate in a post pandemic world. In the liquid product cleaning industry, this is reflected in demand from customers and their distributors for chemical-free and plastic-free cleaning products. They are mindful of the fact most commercial cleaning products are in a ready-to-use format, increasing plastic waste and carbon footprints. Others contain traditional chemical actives which are unkind to the environment, while inhaling some chemical cleaning products is simply unhealthy, especially for cleaners using the products all day.

We’re on a mission to establish our company as the UK’s go-to sustainable brand offering a carbon neutral range of liquid cleaning products that will change the way Britain cleans. We’re looking to ensure that all our products are carbon neutral and sustainable inside the packaging, the way they’re packaged, the way they’re produced and the way they’re transported and stored.

All our products are designed with these goals in mind – and we like to think we’re leading by example, setting standards for the rest of the sustainable cleaning industry to follow.

https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consumer-intelligence-series/consumer-and-employee-esg-expectations.html

https://www.biovatehygienics.com/

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Established in 2010, Green Facilities Management is an eco-friendly commercial cleaning company providing reliable and innovative cleaning services to a range of businesses such as: offices and co-working spaces; retailers and restaurants; schools and education hubs; and museums and leisure centres.

One year ago, it began using the new Multiwash PRO scrubber-dryer from Truvox International.

We spoke to Green FM CEO, Manu Sareen, to discover why the company had chosen Multiwash PRO, and more about its relationship with Truvox.

“I first came across Truvox International and its original Multiwash machine about six years ago when we took over a retail cleaning contract and bought half a dozen machines,” says Manu Sareen. “They were reliable and delivered great results, but our current relationship with Truvox developed last year when we re-discovered the company and its newly released Multiwash PRO, which is considerably better and more efficient than other machines we were using.

Ease of use and sustainability

“Our mission is to provide and maintain a hygienic environment for staff and visitors at every location, boosting morale and productivity. One of the most important reasons to work with Truvox is to make life easier for our operatives, but we also know that we are working with a business where sustainability matters.

“The Multiwash PRO is so easy to use, works on all surfaces, and requires minimal training. It’s not as bulky as other scrubber-driers but at the same time it is robust and durable, and is easy to move from one place to another. The machine washes, scrubs and dries in a single pass, giving improved and unrivalled cleaning results – and leaves floors ready for staff and customers to walk on.

“The Multiwash PRO is effective when used with only water and no chemicals. However, the water in London is very hard and can leave mineral deposits on the floor, so we use a pH neutral detergent to cater for this problem.

“Another positive contribution to sustainability is the machine’s reliability. It needs less maintenance and engineer visits than other machines, so that helps reduce its carbon footprint.

“Green FM is proud to be an ethical and sustainable business, and Multiwash PRO and Truvox International are a great fit for us and our clients.

‘We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean’

“Since the pandemic, our clients and their customers expect to see us cleaning. Before, we were often expected to clean out-of-hours and behind-the-scenes, as if we weren’t even there! Now we can carry out cleaning in plain sight, and so the fact that Multiwash PRO also looks good and highly professional is another benefit.

“As part of our business, we offer a consultancy service for companies and FMs which have their own in-house cleaning facilities, and we are quick to recommend the use of Truvox machines,” says Manu Sareen.

“Green FM has been active in the cleaning industry for many years, so we know from experience which machines deliver the best results. We like technology and work with tech-savvy suppliers, and will only recommend the best. We only want to use the most innovative equipment, and I often say: ‘We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean’.”

https://www.truvox.com/our-products/scrubber-dryers

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As the leading supplier of hydraulic pile croppers across the world, National Pile Croppers (NPC) array has been in demand on large multi-site infrastructure projects for some time. The croppers have now found a particular niche on HS2 where a variety of contractors and civil engineering companies have used the UK manufactured and supported croppers to great success. As with any NPC product however, there is constant vigilance of where refinements can be made, with the needs of HS2 in particular leading to the revision of members of the NPC armoury.

Bigger, better and more powerful

With a project as big and as demanding as HS2, there has arisen a requirement for even larger more powerful pile croppers. “As we always work closely with our customers to ensure that they are getting the very best in hydraulic pile cropping, we soon identified a need for an even larger cropper,” says NPC director Lee Aston. This has led directly to the development of the new Quad XXL.

“We have a well-proven and existing range of Quad croppers that cover virtually any requirement, with our Quad XL 1000 cropper for one being designed to be used for the reduction of augured (round) piles up to 1050mm in diameter. As with the entire Quad range, it utilises four powerful and fully synchronised rams with specially designed blades to give a superb pile cut. The cropper will also hold the cut pile section safely for removal to a designated safe area. Best utilised on piles with ‘de-bonded’ reinforcement bars, it has proved to be the ideal solution when reducing contiguous and secant piled walls with spacing as close as 150mm. However, on some parts of HS2, the Quad XL although effective, needed to be super-sized to make it even more productive,” adds Lee.      

A beast of a machine

The new Quad XXL is a true cropping behemoth being designed and developed to deal with piles of between 900 and 1200m in size. Weighing in at a mighty 3,675kg, it is best used on an excavator of at least 31t in weight. “Although big, the new Quad XXL is still easy to use, and our experienced support staff are at hand from the initial order to the installation on site to make sure that customers get what they pay for.  Operation is still simple, with the cropper being lowered to the ideal height, with the jaws then being closed until pile sections ‘pop’ free. The broken pile section then can be easily removed for recycling to a dumper or a specified area.

“The feedback we’ve received has been beyond our expectations.  Our customers seem to want more and more of the Quad XXL as the targets and deadlines shorten on HS2. Despite its size and power, the new Quad XXL is as efficient as the other members of the Quad range, delivering an effective solution wherever it has been used,” conclude Lee Aston.

The new Quad XXL from National Pile Croppers is now available for hire or purchase throughout the UK and will be introduced globally in the coming months.

New Quad XXL technical specifications

• Pile Size: 900-1200 mm
• Weight: 3675 Kg
• Length: 2363 mm
• Width: 2363 mm
• Height: 2363 mm
• Excavator min size: 30 tonnes
• Max operating pressure: 275 bar
• Flow rate: 90-180 L/min

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As part of Speedy’s ‘Decade to Deliver’ strategy, it will publish a net-zero roadmap with clear steps to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 50% and Scope 3 emissions by 42% by 2030.

As a trusted and critical supplier of equipment and services to the construction and infrastructure markets, Speedy plays a leading role in ECO product evolution, forming close collaborations with partners to innovate and deliver first to market solutions designed to decarbonise traditional diesel products and reduce carbon emissions across the supply chain. 

Amelia Woodley, ESG Director, Speedy Hire said: “The announcement of Government support for the CO2nstructZero net-zero roadmap from Minister of State Nusrat Ghani on Monday 6th June is a welcomed critical step towards decarbonising the industry. It is important that the industry collaborates and agrees on concrete and actionable steps to drive the sustainable and technological ​revolution within the sector.  

“At Speedy, we are accelerating product innovation and decarbonisation solutions in collaboration with our partners, prioritising the long-term vision of sustained net-zero. This is why we have set Science Based Targets to bring us substantially closer to meeting The UK Government’s 2050 net-zero ambitions, in-line with the CO2nstructZero net-zero roadmap”.  

To learn more about Speedy, it’s work with suppliers and its net-zero targets visit: www.speedyservices.com/esg  

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BSIF analysis carried out last year showed that much of the PPE on the market fails to match up to the advertised protection.  

It completed tests on 127 non-member products, which included checking their compliance with relevant standards and testing whether they perform as claimed. Only 18 (15%) of these products were fully compliant. This means 108 products (85%) failed to meet the regulatory criteria, many of which are still for sale to unsuspecting users. 

The findings around non-member products contrast with the results of tests on products supplied by BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers, whose products are tested annually as part of the scheme’s audit process. Of 387 tests completed on Registered Safety Suppliers’ products, 332 (86%) passed immediately, and of the 55 (14%) that initially did not meet the test criteria, all issues were subsequently resolved.

The new BSIF PPE checklist has been created to help specifiers and users ensure that PPE complies with the law and conforms to PPE Regulation 2016/425. It presents a series of questions to ask when purchasing PPE, which are divided into sections for ease of use: Product Markings, Required Documentation, Product Condition, and Storage.  

Examples of questions included in the checklist are: 

• Does the PPE have a UKCA, UKNI or CE Mark applied to it?

• Was the PPE issued with User Instructions included?

• Is there a Declaration of Conformity with the PPE

• Is the PPE clean, undamaged and suitable for use?

• Was the PPE stored correctly, according to the User Instructions?

If any questions present cause for concern, users are advised to seek support and guidance from their company’s health & safety advisor and the manufacturer of the PPE. The BSIF can also provide general guidance.

BSIF CEO Alan Murray says: “This checklist is a reminder that while anyone can sell safety, you shouldn’t buy safety from just anyone. Failing to check your PPE is fit for purpose could leave you or your employees, for whom you have a duty of care, vulnerable and unprotected, and also expose your organisation to the risk of prosecution. The easiest way to check your PPE is compliant is by only buying from a Registered Safety Supplier.”  

The checklist can be downloaded for free at: Check-your-PPE.pdf (bsif.co.uk) 

 The BSIF also offers an‘Is it Genuine – Certification Checklist’ that providesfurther advice on how to check if the supporting documentation for your PPE is genuine and what to do if you are concerned. It can be downloaded athttps://www.bsif.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Is-it-Genuine-2023.pdf

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As one of the largest suppliers of security fencing in the UK, CLD Systems offer tailored, trusted and durable security solutions to protect environments such as data centres, schools, transport hubs, manufacturing warehouses, high-profile sporting venues, open spaces, and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sites.

Its latest product launch is the RiseMaster HE Barrier, a fully autonomous, off-grid, solar powered, automatic boom arm barrier system. The system is  available in both surface mount version – free standing and rapidly deployable – as well as a permanent version.

Ideal for settings such as secure compounds, construction sites and events that require vehicular control, the product has been designed with sustainability in mind and features primary and secondary photovoltaic panels, eliminating the need for the installation of road crossing control cabling. The barrier system not only offers a more environmentally friendly option thanks to being completely solar powered, but also reduces carbon emissions due to no groundworks being required during installation. The RiseMaster offers off grid solar autonomy 24/7, 365 days a year and zero carbon emissions over a 10-year life cycle. It can be delivered with a full charge, utilising 100% renewable energy from the CLD factory.

The RiseMaster can power auxiliary third party equipment such as intercoms, radio transmitters and other equipment, and is fully compliant with Safety Force Test Compliant to EN 12453:2017. Its barrier arm features an inbuilt red and green traffic light LED system to indicate when it is safe to enter or exit. It is also available with photocells to ensure accurate presence detection. The RiseMaster’s continuous flanged post is made from high strength steel for added durability and longevity.

Its FenceSafe battery container allows static equilibrium of the system and housing of the batteries to be combined within the same container, providing users with a convenient and efficient solution for managing and securing its battery whilst reducing the amount of space required.  

Like many CLD solutions, the RiseMaster is available on a rental basis, offering flexible on ground physical security that can be quickly and easily commissioned and removed to leave no trace. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity this also reduces the number of physical tools required. CLD operates from a range of sites in the UK to also ensure guaranteed available stock to meet short lead time requirements.

Russel Wells, Director of CLD Systems, comments: “Our products embrace the latest in innovative technology with sophisticated control systems to ensure the highest level of security and sustainability. The RiseMaster Barrier offers customers a tailored, easy to install solution which has been designed with British and European safety regulations in mind.”

For more information on CLD Systems, please visit: www.cld-systems.com

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Almost every one of the 3,000 business executives in a survey reported by the influential magazine Forbes believed their companies lacked the capability to address major changes. *

That doesn’t come as a surprise to Tom Burgess, Managing Director of international specialist Triathlon Battery Solutions: “Making major changes can be disruptive. The bigger the change, the greater the risk, both for the organisation and the individual instigating it.

“It’s one of the key reasons why our award-winning new QUASAR battery is proving so successful. Businesses currently operating either IC engine or traditional lead acid powered trucks can make massive cost savings and improvements to productivity – at low or no risk.”

Here’s why.

QUASAR provides a clean, no-compromise answer for organisations looking to switch away from diesel to a greener alternative (without sacrificing any power or go-anywhere performance).

Developed to excel in the most demanding applications – including prolonged operation in extremely low temperatures with no power drop-off – QUASAR really comes into its own in heavy duty and multi-shift operations.

For those wishing to replace or upgrade lead acid battery fleets, QUASAR is a total game-changer. It offers 25% greater run-time than traditional batteries, and typically delivers additional shifts. Full re-charge times are slashed by 50% and to keep you working even longer, QUASAR batteries can be opportunity charged.

“QUASAR represents a much smaller step than committing to lithium-ion whilst offering almost all the same benefits,” explains Tom Burgess. “Not only is QUASAR cheaper than lithium-ion but it is potentially less disruptive, as some premises do not have the necessary power supply to sustain the high loads required for large numbers of recharging points… or can only achieve it at significant additional cost.”

Perhaps the biggest bonus at the outset is the reduction in capital costs. Switching from traditional lead acid to QUASAR means fewer batteries and fewer chargers (plus all the associated equipment). Along with significantly lower capital investment, it also frees up additional valuable space.

Tom Burgess adds: “As part of a world-leading organisation offering every type of battery technology, I believe QUASAR offers distinct advantages over both lithium-ion and traditional lead acid. Perhaps most important of all though, the benefits can be achieved with little or no disruption or risk.”

To find out more aboutQUASAR, call 0161 6699180 or visit www.triathlon-batteries.co.uk/enhanced-lead-acid-batteries/

*https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathymillerperkins/2022/01/06/report-shows-anxious-leaders-in-2022-here-is-how-to-address-culture-fears/?sh=7e5cc28b28b7

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