The Game-Changing Benefits of ConCEPS in the Maritime Industry
The maritime environment is a dangerous one. That’s why it has to operate to the highest safety standards. A key part of operating safely is minimising exposure to risk. This is where ConCEPS can help.
Importance Of Safety In Maritime Industry
All employers have a duty of care towards their employees. This is not just a legal requirement. It’s also an ethical one and a matter of good business sense.
Firstly, employers with a good safety record find it easier to recruit and retain staff than those who don’t. Secondly, operating safely tends to be more cost-effective than taking risks and cutting costs and corners on these imperative aspects (e.g. safe operators have lower insurance costs). Thirdly, managing safety well is reassuring for (potential) customers and upkeep of company reputation.
Understanding Fall Risks
Falling is one of the most common risks in all working environments. The severity of the risk typically increases in line with the worker’s height off the ground.
That said, even falls from ground level can have severe consequences, especially if the worker lands badly. The top of a shipping container is over 8 feet (2.5M) off the ground. This is more than enough to be considered a serious risk.
ConCEPS And Fall Arrest
ConCEPS stands for Container Collective Edge Protection System. In essence, ConCEPS is a convenient, simple and affordable way to create a physical barrier around the edge of a shipping container (of between 10 and 40 feet in length).
This barrier eliminates the risk of falling. It therefore means that if you were wearing any fall protection safety equipment this becomes your secondary protection measure rather than your primary one.
Safe, Versatile And Customisable Design
Unlike regular construction fall protection equipment, ConCEPS has been designed specifically with the needs of the maritime freight industry in mind.
The core system consists of four corner posts and two intermediate posts. (For 10-foot and 20-foot shipping containers, the four corner posts are sufficient.). Upper- and intermediate-level fall-prevention ratchet straps are also included, along with an access gate (this replaces the fourth post).
ConCEPS can also provide a three-piece post. This is used when access to the edge is restricted (e.g. by installed plant). The 3-piece post hooks into the top lug of the container and locks into the bottom lug. These posts can be fitted by one person at ground level thereby reducing the need to access the top of the container for installation.
Business Benefits Of Using ConCEPS
The headline benefit of using ConCEPS is safety. There are, however, further business benefits to investing in the system.
Here are three of the main ones:
- Ability to maximise use of space
In the maritime freight industry, space is money so it’s vital to make the best possible use of all the space on your site. If your staff can access the tops of shipping containers safely, then the whole of the container can be used for storage.
Alternatively, the top can be used to house equipment that needs regular maintenance (e.g. air conditioning) in the case when the container is used as a portable energy centre. Again, this helps to maximise the value of the space.
- More efficient operations
Maximising safety tends to make operations more efficient as higher safety means a lower accident rate. This means fewer disruptions to business operations.
Using ConCEPS however, takes this further. When your workers have the benefits of a ConCEPS system, they can work safely, quickly and confidently. This means employers get maximum benefit from a worker’s time.
- Improved morale
When employers invest in ConCEPS they make it easier for people to do their job safely. That creates a more pleasant working experience and, hence, improves morale. This makes it easier to retain existing workers. It also encourages them to recommend the employer to others.
Find Out More
To find out more about our ConCEPS fall protection and how it can help you, please get in touch with us today!
