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Structural Metal Decks is one of the UK’s leading composite flooring specialists.They both manufacture and install their own metal profiles. As part of the installation of SMD products, the staff of SMD’s Contracts Department often have to work in hazardous environments. SMD installations make use of safety nets to protect their staff and use riggers trained and approved by the Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training (FASET) association.

Part of the FASET code of practice is to use safety nets rigged and handled in conformance with British Standard BSEN1263-2 which requires regular testing of safety nets to ensure their continued suitability for use.To help manage this, SMD decided on an approach to inspecting safety nets that used RFID tags attached to each net. The tags could be read electronically, providing information about each safety net and the checks it has been subjected to.

Using the information, SMD controls the usage of nets and ensures that only nets that have been safety checked are allowed out to sites.

CoreRFID was selected to develop and deliver the management application, RFID tags and readers, initially to handle the safety management of 500 nets.

Safety Management Using PDC

The SMD solution is being delivered by CoreRFID using the PDC™ application. PDC (Portable Data Collector) is a customisable package that is used for asset management and health and safety applications across a number of industries. PDC allows information to be collected from electronic tags on a compact hand held computer. The information can then be transmitted in real time or at the end of the day over GPRS or wi-fi links to the PDC server to update a database of the items tagged. Information on each tagged item can be accessed via a web interface making it easy to implement the system and simple to provide access to a wide range of devices from a wide range of locations.

“The CoreRFID solution works successfully in our environment and gives us an easy way to manage net safety.” Craig Galway, SMD Contracts Director

CoreRFID are providing high frequency RFID tags that are attached with cable ties to the safety nets. Identity codes on the tags allow the system to record the date of manufacture, when and where it was last stored, which jobs it has been used on and the safety checks carried out on it, including those needed for compliance with the BS EN 1263-2 standard.

Tags are read using an easy to use, Microsoft Windows Mobile software application that runs on a Motorola Symbol MC35 handheld computer. The MC35 is equipped with a Wireless Dynamics RFID reader that fits into the SD slot of the computer. The MC35 and reader are held in a rugged, water and impact resistant housing that allows them to stand up to the rigours of use on construction sites and in the SMD warehouse.

Using the reader, safety nets are checked into store at the end of a job. The need for any safety checks needed before the net is to go out again is highlighted. Nets are also checked out of stores and onto sites. From this it is possible to know the whereabouts of each safety net and how long it has been in use and exposed to UV light which is one of the main causes of potential deterioration in the strength of netting.

CoreRFID customised the PDC application to meet SMD’s requirements, creating customer specific screens for the MC35 based application and implementing data tables suitable for safety net tracking as part of the web based server system.

CoreRFID provided project management for the installation and support the operation of the software system.

The Benefits

SMD’s RFID based safety system provides:

• Improved staff safety by removing the risk of nets failing.
• Reduced effort in checking the requirement for scheduled safety testing.
• Data can be collected as nets are checked in and out of storage.
• System highlights the whereabouts of each net and provides a history of its usage.
• Remove the risks of projects being delayed as a result of nets not being available for use.

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