Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Dick Scroop
A question about putting them up and taking them down at the end of the season. Anybody got any experience of this. At a school I work with this has in the past been done by dropping the posts into the holes and then fixing the crossbar in place working from steps of inadequate height. I have some thoughts on this - subject to getting some more information from the school but does anybody out there have any actual experience of it. Or failing that at least some ideas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Raymond Rapp
I would have thought a decent couple of step-ladders should do the trick, one at each end...
Ray
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Bob Shillabeer
I hope we are not going to talk about risk assessments and work at height Regulations here. How many sets of post are you talking about. There are two sets for each pitch that's four posts and two cross bars for each. Providing there is a safe system to raise the posts it matters not how they are secured. What matters is that they don't fall on hit someone when they are being raised or when they are in position -risk area one - the fitting of the crossbar again may result in them hitting someone - risk area two - get my reasoning. Make sure those who are putting them up know what to do and how to do it and of course keep spectators away when doing it. The use of suitable step ladders is important make sure they are the right size.
Simple really.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Dick Scroop
Thanks for those responses. Clearly in relation to fitting the crossbar to the erected posts the use of stepladders of suitable height is one option, and certainly the easiest to achieve, for a short duration task infrequently carried out. But see the thread below re: fitting of smoke alarms. Quite apart from the HSE position raising the possibility of an Improvement Notice in that case where the feet of the person carrying out the task would probably be no more than two feet off the ground in most instances it does also highlight the hierarchy of control with steps/ladders at the bottom. In the case of the rugby posts there is a risk of falling a significant height (eight to ten feet) and the ground surface may not be as firm, flat and level as you would like.
My inclination at the moment is to go for a step ladder approach with the possible additional measure of securing the top of the steps to the post (because you will be manipulating a load at the side of the ladder hence a risk of them falling sideways). What are your thoughts on also providing fall protection for the individual via a harness attached to the post?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Bob Shillabeer
Let's get real. Are you suggesting you have fall arresters etc for one person lifting a crossbar and fitting a bolt through a hole??? I've read the thread about the smoke detectors but lets get real here. The HSe inspector is either new and flexing his muscles a bit or there is more to it than comes across in the thread. I have had dealings with HSE/HMRI inspectors and they do these sorts of things for a purpose not just on a whim. The rugby post thing needs someone to hold the step ladder, someone to pass the crossbar up and one to put the bolt through. Let's not get the thing out of proportion and again give the knockers room or grist to point a finger at those silly safety people again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Chris Pope
The institute of groundsmanship can advise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Darren J Fraser
Please excuse my ignorance, but would it not be possible to fit the crossbar in place, and then ask the local council to lift the completed assembly into position using a tractor or a local construction/hire company with an off road forklift, and reversing the process at the end of the season, or alternatively, once up, leave in place?
Thereby removing the need to work on ladders or any other type of access at height equipment, therefore removing any risk of falling.
The old way, when I was at school (in excess of 20 years ago) was for the rugby team to assist with the building and installing of the posts. The crossbar was fitted into place on the ground, ropes where then looped around the crossbar, the post bottoms lined up with the holes in the ground, and then everyone grabbed onto the ropes and pulled into position.....not perfect but it worked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Dick Scroop
Thanks Chris, I will follow up the Institute of Groundsmen lead. Darren's two suggestions would both work in other circumstances abd I had considered them. In this case the oldest pupils in the School are 13 and so using them to pull up the assembled post is not on. And, being a private school well out in the sticks neither the council or a local contractor are an option. But there is the possibility of a local farmer, may follow that up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.