Arco Professional Safety Services has officially launched its safety competition series, ACE (Arco Challenge Event), pushing safety knowledge to the limit by bringing training to life with challenges that mimic real-life scenarios.

The events, located at Arco’s Safety Centres, see teams put through a variety of safety exercises while a team of assessors keep watch and grade each scenario as it unfolds.

Similar to other well-known European rescue events such as Grimp Day and Rope Rescue Day, Arco Challenge Events are designed to encourage collaboration with other teams, build a sense of camaraderie and allow for friendly competition while learning new skills and testing old ones.

The inaugural ACE competition took place in October, focusing on Rope Access challenges that tested teams against each other and the clock, on Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) syllabus tasks such as rescue techniques, access solutions and rigging.

Six teams took part in the event, with Paul Hardman and Bruce Kemp claiming first place, taking home prizes worth over £1,000, including an IRATA training course, premium work-at-height products and an exclusive event goody bag.

Bruce also topped the individual leaderboard in the ascent rescue challenge, sponsored by Safehold, with a time of three minutes and 16 seconds, winning a rescue harness.

Jack Ball, training and consultancy team leader at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “The event was a huge success. The ethos of the event to share knowledge, collaborate with other like-minded technicians, and of course the friendly competition, couldn’t have been upheld any more than it was.

“Every team was keen to take part and learn from others, and this has definitely cemented the desire to host more of these challenge events, so watch this space.

Because of the skill level necessary for the event, each team member was required to be an IRATA-qualified technician, including one qualified to IRATA level 3.

At the closing awards ceremony, Paul Hardman and Bruce Kemp were named Arco Challenge Event Rope Access Champions, a title that will be competed for again in next year’s rope access challenge event. After the success of the first competition, Arco plans to continue the ACE series into 2025. Further events will challenge experts in other areas of health and safety, such as working in confined spaces.

This first ACE rope access competition was sponsored by Safehold, Guardian, Skylotec, Never Let Go, Petzl, Rock Exoctica and Edelrid.

Find out more about our IRATA rope access training.

(Picture credit: Arco Professional Safety Services – Bartek Biela/Rich Amor-Wilkes/Russell Edwards)

Bruce Kemp

Arco, the UK and Ireland’s leading safety company, welcomed MSP Fiona Hyslop to its industry-leading Linlithgow Safety Centre this week.

Are you ready to put your skills to the test and rise above the competition? We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new Arco Challenge Event competitions, held at our Safety Centres. These events will bring your training to life, offering real-world scenarios that push your expertise to the limit while fostering teamwork, camaraderie, and a bit of friendly competition!

First Up: Rope Access Competition

Date: Saturday, 19th October 2024

Location: Arco Professional Safety Services, Unit 5, Raleigh Hall Industrial Estate, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6JL

Times:

8:30 AM – Arrival

9:00 AM – Briefing & First Scenario

12:00 PM – Lunch

4:30 PM – Awards & Closing Ceremony

What to Expect:

Throughout the day, teams will face a series of five tasks designed to replicate real-life rescue, rigging, and access scenarios. Your performance will be closely observed and graded by our expert assessors, leading up to the ultimate showdown where one team will be crowned the Arco Challenge Event Rope Access Champions of 2024!

Participation Details:

Teams: Up to 12 teams of two people

Eligibility: All participants must be IRATA technicians, with at least one team member holding an IRATA Level 3 certification

Entry Fee: £50 per team

Extras: Lunch provided & goody bags for all participants

Prizes:

1st place – 2 x Free spaces on an IRATA course, the title of Arco Challenge Event Rope Access Champions and bragging rights for a year!

2nd place – 2 x 50% off spaces on an IRATA course

All other participants will receive 10% off their next IRATA course.

How to Sign Up:

Think you’ve got what it takes? Don’t miss your chance to compete – register your team today!

Sign Up Here

Sponsor this Arco Challenge Event!

Showcase your brand by sponsoring the Arco Challenge Event. Gain visibility with prime branding opportunities – display banners, supply equipment, donate prizes, secure space in our networking area, or include items in goody bags.

Interested? Contact jack.ball@arcoservices.co.uk to get involved and support this exciting event!

GRILLON SAFETY ALERT: REQUEST FOR INSPECTION

Petzl requests the inspection of certain GRILLON products following the detection of ropes mounted incorrectly in the rope adjuster of recently produced GRILLON products. In such a case, the product does not perform its blocking function, which can result in a risk of injury. Please immediately stop sales and use of GRILLON products manufactured between October and December 2023, and follow the inspection procedure described below.

Please follow this link  for detailed instructions and advice

Product recalls and safety alerts Petzl requests the inspection of certain GRILLON products

• lost hillwalkers
• missing persons suffering from mental health or dementia
• injured persons who are in a location which is not easily accessible to the emergency services
• persons who are injured and need carrying to safety
• persons cut off due to flooding and many more

URGENT

Request for inspection of ASTRO and CANYON GUIDE harnesses following the detection of a defect on the gated opening attachment point of an ASTRO harness. Due to the risk of unintentional opening of this attachment point, which could result in a life-threatening situation, we ask you to stop any use of these harnesses and to carry out immediately the following inspection.

PLEASE GOTO PETZL WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION BELOW

Link to website for full details: Product recalls and safety alerts Call for inspection for the ASTRO and CANYON GUIDE harnesses – Petzl United Kingdom

Arco Professional Safety Services, the UK’s leading safety products and services provider, is expanding its equipment hire capabilities nationwide with new funding into four fully stocked hire centres in key locations across the UK.

The expansion of hire products will enable customers to access a wider range of hire equipment from leading specialist suppliers, including quality-assured confined space, gas detection, respiratory protective and other fall arrest prevention equipment. All hire orders will be available direct from the Arco Bracknell, Doncaster, Linlithgow and Warrington Safety Centres or can be ordered and collected at local Arco stores via a new collection service.

Arco offers two types of hire solutions, standard hire, for short term requirements with a minimum contract of one week that can be extended as needed and contract hire that is offered for longer terms, up to five years, that also includes inspection, servicing and maintenance of equipment during the hire term.

Alongside this expanded hire proposition, customers can also purchase any of the equipment from Arco’s range of safety products should they require a permanent solution.

Gareth Liptrot, Hire & Maintenance Manager, Arco Professional Safety Services said: “As experts in safety, we are committed to providing a joined-up approach for customers offering accessible, high-quality equipment that can be acquired in the most convenient way.

“Our increased investment in hire stock at our nationwide Safety Centres and our new store collection service demonstrates our commitment to improving customer convenience and will enable greater access to quality stock and ease of service for any job our customers are undertaking.”

To find out more about Arco’s comprehensive hire offering, visit: https://www.arcoservices.co.uk/equipment/equipment-hire

UK’s leading safety services company begins offering new option to its Rooftop Worker Scheme training course approved by the Mast & Tower Safety (MATS) Group and accredited by Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR).

Arco Professional Safety Services has created an industry approved blended learning option to an existing working at height training course. The course aims to provide delegates with the skills and experience required to safely access flat roofs in protected and unprotected areas. The blended option allows delegates of the course to complete the educational section of the course online, previously the entire course had to be completed in-person in a structured one-day session.

This blended learning version of the Rooftop Worker Scheme provides a flexible learning approach with bespoke integrated virtual reality exercises. It is also more cost effective than the traditional course at a 20% reduced rate while offering the same quality of learning, experience and certification.

As a blended learning course, participants will be required to complete seven online modules and a practical training and assessment session at one of four possible sites. The online portion of the course has training material that can be accessed by delegates as often as required. Once completed, candidates have 90 days to attend a practical assessment at one of Arco’s state of the art Safety Centres in Stafford, Bracknell, Trafford or Linlithgow (Scotland).

Topics covered in the Rooftop Worker Scheme syllabus include:

• Legislation for working at height
• Risk assessment awareness
• Rooftop hazards and control measures
• PPE – pre use checks and fitting harness, helmet, fall arrest and work positioning lanyards
• Safe use of portable ladders
• Edge protection
• Horizontal and vertical systems (fixed and temporary)
• Climbing techniques using harnesses, lanyards, and fixed systems
• Awareness of emergency procedures

Falls from height continued to be the number one cause of work-related deaths in 2023 according to the latest statistics from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Steve Dawson, Manager – Working at Height Training at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “When it comes to working from height, regard for safety is paramount. We’re proud to be able to offer this brand-new training course carefully designed with the considerations to keep people safe when working on rooftops.

As industry leaders in working at height practices, Arco understands the necessity to provide these learning opportunities with specialist support to ensure the safety of workers where it matters most.”

This course is designed for all personnel that are required to access flat roof areas using a variety of access systems and harness-based fall protection equipment during their duties. The Rooftop Worker Scheme certificate will be valid for three years upon completion of the course.

To find out more about this course, see upcoming course dates and to enquire about booking, visit: https://www.arcoservices.co.uk/training/course-finder/working-at-height-training/rooftop-safety-training/rooftop-safety-blended-learning

UK’s leading safety company will showcase responsible ranges and joined-up safety solutions at the NEC in Birmingham

Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, will be exhibiting at this year’s Health & Safety Event, scheduled to take place from the 30^th April to 2^nd May at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The event takes place during a momentous year for both Arco and the health and safety industry, coinciding with the 50^th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and Arco’s 140^th anniversary.

Arco’s interactive exhibition can be found in Hall 4, Stand 4/G100 and has been designed to take visitors on a journey through the hierarchy of control, emphasising the importance of a joined-up approach to safety management. With a focus on consultancy, training, expert advice, compliance and sustainability, Arco aims to demonstrate its unparalleled safety expertise.

Visitors to the Arco stand can expect immersive experiences, including virtual reality demonstrations where they will be placed in realistic environments, highlighting hazards within working at height and confined spaces. The stand will also showcase Arco’s award-winning Responsible hi-vis and Responsible workwear product ranges, as well as its product-assurance process and independent UKAS-accredited laboratory.

Ahead of the event, Arco has been shortlisted in four categories for the 2024 Safety and Health Excellence Awards. Arco is nominated for: BSIF Product Innovation Award Safety Product Category (Non-PPE), Campaign of the Year, Distributor of the Year and Marketing Campaign of the Year, as well as sponsoring and judging this year’s inaugural Sustainable Company of the Year award. The winners will be announced during the award ceremony that will take place on the second night of the three-day Health & Safety Event.

Gareth Wray, Marketing Director at Arco, commented: “We are thoroughly excited to be attending The Health & Safety Event during such a special year for Arco and the industry. We have gone above and beyond to create a truly engaging experience for visitors, showcasing our expertise not only in sourcing and delivering quality and compliant products, but in driving forward sustainable practices and offering joined-up safety solutions.

“We look forward to interacting with the many attendees and sharing our expertise to drive positive change in safety practices.”

View Arco’s joined-up approach to safety management and our responsible approach to sustainability.

A team of fearless work-at-height trainers from Arco Professional Safety Services have taken second place in a gruelling rope rescue competition.

The Prusik Rope Rescue Event 2024, held at the Avonmouth Dock in Bristol on May 18, featured nine teams from around the UK taking part in rescue challenges while sharing knowledge and learning in technical rope rescue.

The Arco team, made up of work-at-height trainers Rob Messenger, Jack Ball, Peter Hancock, Nat Smart, Bartek Biela and Ian Moss, faced stiff competition, including teams from emergency services and other private rescue providers.

Each team had to pass three rescue “evolutions”, facing challenging scenarios such as rescuing a casualty from a narrow walkway suspended at the end of a shipping crane.

The teams had 60 minutes to complete each evolution. If a team declared they could not manage the rescue, the clock stopped and it became a training exercise, with the assessor coaching the team through the rescue.

Rob Messenger, Arco’s team leader on the day, said: “When the teams assembled on the quayside, it quickly became apparent they were all highly capable and well-drilled in technical rope rescue.

“Prior to each rescue, the team leader was given four minutes to brief the team on the scenario, rules, or restrictions.

“We decided that, when our briefing time was up and the rescue time started, we would not rush away, but instead confirm understanding and then conduct the rescue.”

Putting their skills and expertise to the test and passing all three challenges, the Arco team were overjoyed to be named overall runners-up.

The top three teams were awarded a kit bag donated by Never Let Go.

Rob said the event was great for the team’s continuing professional development, as their technical rescue knowledge and expertise was bolstered with lessons learnt.

He said: “We spoke to many of the other teams, looking at how they used their equipment and how we have rigged ours.

“Our product knowledge was improved too, with workshops provided by the suppliers and distributors. Some of the innovations had a clear role within some of our customers’ workplaces.

“When we were announced as second place, we were chuffed to bits. It really felt that our efforts and personal time spent training had been rewarded.”

Arco Professional Safety Services’ complete range of workplace environment solutions includes comprehensive management of working at height challenges.

Arco’s expert trainers ensure people have the proper preparation to do their jobs safely, catering for most industry sectors.

Their working at height training expertise includes:

• Rooftop safety
• Telecoms climber
• Rescue from height
• Fall protection
• Industrial rope access
• Ladder safety
• Rail
• Warehouse safety

For more information, visit arcoservices.co.uk