A Mini Guide To ConCEPS: What Is It And How Does It Work?
ConCEPS: Container Collective Edge Protection System (ConCEPS) is a system designed to prevent falls from the top of shipping containers. Here is a brief guide to what you need to know about them.
The Principle Behind ConCEPS
There are many reasons why staff in different industries might need to access the tops of shipping containers. For example, they may need to maintain equipment such as air conditioning, fit exhausts when the container is used as an energy centre, lash cars when on top of containers in the shipping environment, install event lighting, get access for cutting limbs off trees etc.
A standard shipping container is 8’6” in height (about 2.6M) and a “high cube” shipping container is 9’6” in height (about 2.9M). This means that for both legal and ethical reasons, employers need to be sure that they have robust fall-from-height protection.
Traditional fall protection solutions are designed to arrest people in the process of falling. There is certainly value in these systems but ideally, they should be a backup plan rather than the main plan. The main plan should be focused on preventing falls from heights in the first place. This is why ConCEPS was developed.
The Basics Of ConCEPS
In very simple terms, ConCEPS creates a barrier around the top of shipping containers. This means that if anyone falls on the top of the container, they are highly unlikely to go over its edge.
The basic ConCEPS system comprises four posts that are positioned at the four corners of a shipping container. These are connected with fall protection ratchet straps at the upper and intermediate levels. There is also an access gate that provides a single point of entry through the barrier.
The posts (15kg)can be fitted from a ladder by one person, they can be locked, by rotating the safety lock before climbing onto the top of the container, the person can then climb onto the container once clipping their harness onto the post, so that they rotate the secondary lock, providing greater safety.
For 10’ and 20’ shipping containers, this is all that’s required. For 40’ shipping containers, there are two additional intermediate posts that should be placed in the middle of the long sides. These intermediate poles are attached to each other using rectangular boxes and bolted. The intermediate posts ensure that the ratchet straps retain the necessary level of tautness.
There is also an optional three-piece post that hooks into the top container lug and locks into the bottom container lug. This can be used in situations when access to the edge is restricted, for example, due to installed plant machinery.
Why Invest In ConCEPS
The obvious benefit of investing in ConCEPS is better safety at work. This in itself is a significant benefit, especially considering the potential legal ramifications of safety breaches. There are, however, many other business reasons for investing in ConCEPS. Here are some of the main ones.
Increased productivity: Productivity often increases in line with focus. Using ConCEPS allows employees to focus on the task in hand, rather than dividing their attention between the task and their safety. ConCEPS is Collective edge protection meaning that more than 1 person can access the top of the container.
Cost savings: The upfront cost of investing in ConCEPS can often be recouped by the savings acquired when using it. For example, improving workplace safety reduces your exposure to the cost of safety breaches. Also it saves on costs of hiring cranes etc to connect harnesses to, and in that situation only 2 operatives can use the hook as an anchor point.
Improved morale: Safe, efficient workplaces are typically much better places to work than unsafe and/or inefficient ones. This means that staff morale is likely to be much higher. Staff are therefore likely to stay in post for longer and also to recommend their employer to other workers.
Better risk management: When you show staff that you are prepared to invest in health and safety, you send out a clear message that you take health and safety seriously. This encourages staff to report their concerns to you. You can therefore investigate and address them before they become major issues.
Reputational benefits: Modern customers often pay close attention to how a business operates and are increasingly likely to factor this information into their buying decisions. This means that having a strong track record on safety can open up business opportunities.
To find out more about ConCEPS and how they can help your lifting processes, please get in touch with SHEARFORCE today!
