Page 105 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Page 1 of 3

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 042

J Brown / S Martin – 18 May 2007

Adequate Fixings

There was recently a near miss on a BP site caused by an Xmo Strata sub contract team that
hadn’t installed the canopy fascia as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. There were no
injuries or property damage, primarily because our team were vigilant, were de-branding a
closed site and had an element of good fortune. Given slightly different circumstances the
outcome could have been much different. The incident was investigated and the root cause
was determined that the original installation team lacked the skill / capability to carry out the
installation and had improper motivation to carry out the task. Lack of supervision could also
be attributed, however, we must be able trust all our employees / sub-contractors to work
unsupervised on occasions.

As a result of the investigation (using photos and statements) the contractor involved has now
been de-listed from our approved suppliers list with immediate effect.

Any sign installed is designed to withstand all expected weather conditions in the country that
it is installed; this can only be guaranteed if the correct type and number of fixings are used
for each component, in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

LADDER RAILS – If these are being fixed to a steel canopy then a Fine Thread Steel Tek
should only be used and at least 2 per vertical section fixed as close to the top as possible
and as low as possible but still allowing the panel to be fitted correctly.
If they are being fixed to an Aluminium clad canopy then Course Thread Ali Teks should be
used and again the correct amounts of fixings used and never leave a gap in ladder rails,
always fit so that the flashing is all the way around the canopy.
Under no circumstances should they be fixed to timber, if you identify timber fascias on the
canopy stop work immediately and inform your supervisor.

Most 2400mm BP panels will be aluminium and therefore you should use the Course Thread
Ali Tek and again with the minimum of 3 per panel fixed at 25mm from each end then
centered. If the ladder rail is steel then the Fine Thread Steel Tek should be used.

Remember – keep this guide if you need to!

Ali to ali = ali,
Ali to steel = steel,
Steel to ali = ali,
Steel to steel = steel.