TAKE your hard hats off to the UK's leading independent steel fabricator which is harnessing innovative technology to protect its production workers.

The move by William Hare Ltd, based at Brandlesholme House in Brandlesholme Road, Bury, was prompted following a safety assessment which focused on staff operating cutting and drilling equipment. The company identified that the location of the equipment in booths separating them from other workers could pose a risk and delay first aid by vital seconds in the event of an accident or fall.

Now, the firm has adopted the SBES LifeSaver MICRO system which equips each of the machine operators with a personal wireless transmitter that automatically activates an audio and visual alarm system if the user tilts more than 45 degrees. It is capable of summoning help in the first vital seconds of a fall or the user becoming unconscious. The system can also be programmed to summon help via phone messages or pagers.

The key system represents an advanced refinement of safety systems that are given total priority at the California Works in Bury where the company's outstanding safety regime has previously earned a gold award from RoSPA.

General Manager of the works Bob McLellan explained: "The board of directors takes safety very seriously and insists on a policy of zero compromise in our working practices. Regardless of cost or other factors, safety always comes first. In fact, our chief executive officer (CEO) personally visits the workshops on a regular basis to ensure that the safety procedures are being followed.

"Our machine operators are not lone workers in the true sense of the term and our operating procedures ensure they are in contact with their colleagues every few minutes. But the booths where they work make it impossible to maintain constant visual contact and we wanted to ensure that in the event of an incident or injury, immediate assistance could be summoned. The SBES LifeSaver system does just that - activating an audio and visual alarm - and weve proved its effectiveness with regular tests."

William Hare is the UK's premier independent structural steelwork contractor serving the UK and overseas markets.

The company operates in all the major structural market sectors including oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceuticals, power, nuclear, civil, bridgework, airport, infrastructure, commercial and retail developments.