SHEQWs Newsletter September

Contents
3. What we could do better
Utilising Vacuum Excavators
4. Press recognition
Press recognition for H&S excellence
5. In the Courts
Looking at latest environmental
prosecution
6. Topic of the Month
Managing Dust & Air Quality
8. In the spotlight
Look at how Blythe Road achieved
Health, Safety, Environment & Customer
excellence
10. What’s been happening
We look at how Waltan saved local
wildlife and how the occupational health
team are enhancing awareness
12. Cygnus Firefly
We look at how one project reduced
carbon and costs through a hybrid
generator
15. SMB reporting
Latest SHE statistics
16. Safety alerts
Latest safety alerts for dissemination
What we
could do better
Utilising Vacuum
Excavators
What is a Vacuum Excavator?
A vacuum excavator is a high power suction system used
to excavate soils directly into a machine as opposed to
traditional methods of machinery and hand held tools.
Almost 200m of insertion work can be excavated in
one day, whilst maintaining a clean tidy site, pedestrian
access and 2 way traffic.
It is typically a safe means of excavating for new and
around existing underground utilities in any ground
conditions, but has a wide variety of other applications.
Why use it?
• Reduces the risk of damaging utilities and underground
assets
• Reduces excavation sizes by up to a third compared to
use of a mini-digger – reducing disposal costs and lorry
movements (costs and carbon footprint)
• No excess spoil- no danger of contamination into surface waters
or drains
• Increased productivity due to reduced manual handling
• Self-contained which can tip up to 12m3 in one area, creating a
cleaner environment
• Increased operational safety due to less need for access and
egress
• Less manual effort, avoidance of strains and sprains to
operatives.
• Faster and more efficient excavation compared to traditional
manual methods – projects are completed far quicker which
results in minimal disruption to the customer, members of the
public, and the environment.
• Minimised damage to tree roots as the vacuum can remove the
ground between them
• Reduction of grab loader time on site, minimising disruption to
customers and local traffic and significant reduction in third party
damages.
Page 2 | August 2016 SHEWQ Newsletter
SHEWQ Newsletter
August 2016 | Page 3