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Safety, Ergonomics and Innovation: The perfect equation that translates into high-performance solutions on site

Apr 22, 2016
ULMA accompanies each client from the start of every project until its final construction, studying the options for each site, designing the technical solution for formwork and scaffolding and providing the most suitable construction material, together with the safety systems that help to prevent possible incidents during the construction on site.

Innovation, safety and ergonomics are present in all formwork and scaffolding systems for construction developed by ULMA and translate into solutions that guarantee high efficiency on site.

ULMA has security systems certified by reputable companies, such as GSV, AENOR and AIDICO that guarantee the collective protection of workers on site, providing working platforms for wall and column formwork, access stairs to different areas of work, scaffolding and foot bridges for work at height and perimeter protection systems (interior hollows or edge of slab).

Working Platforms

ULMA's latest innovations in safety include the development of the new SBU Safety Platform, that offers clients the guarantee of performing wall formwork jobs at different heights in complete safety. Its modular nature allows complete adjustment to the most diverse geometries and its great advantage lies in the option for it to be assembled on the ground and be lifted together with the whole set of formwork panels and pipe braces to the upper floors, providing the worker with a high level of safety when working with formwork structures with the platform previously incorporated. Likewise, to work comfortably and safely with column formwork, ULMA offers the universal column platform compatible with ULMA's various column formwork systems and which includes the most noteworthy features of the new platform SBU.

Access staircases, handrails, walkways and scaffolding for working at a height

In regard to protection systems used in the construction or restoration of high-rise buildings, Modular Scaffolding BRIO certified according to European standard EN 12810-1/2 and EN 12811-1/2/3 offers solutions such as the creation of safe access stairs to different areas on site, public footbridges that allow the circulation of pedestrians without any type of risk, covers to provide a comfortable protected space for restoration work and maintenance and scaffolding towers that acquire the functionality of safe working platforms that can reach 12m in height.

Covering the façade by means of perimeter scaffolding is also a feature of collective protection substituting guardrails or nets, covering the entire perimeter of the work floor from the ground. This system incorporates working platforms with incorporated guardrail, non-slip platforms and a system with unintentional disengagement system that prevents accidental movement. 

Perimeter protection

ULMA's Safety Net Fan SARE is another collective slab edge protection system composed of a static structure and a polyamide net with UNE-EN 1263-1 certification and resistance tests. The SARE protection net has the annually renewed "Marca CV" certification from AIDICO, which verifies production process control and the quality system audit.

The construction of high-rise buildings requires safety systems such as the HWS perimeter safety screen based on the MK system that offers great flexibility and adaptation to all types of geometries and configurations. This stopend system has the objective of protecting the entire perimeter of the building under construction by avoiding items falling to the exterior by positioning protective screens both on the floor where the formwork is being implemented and on the two floors immediately below. As the site progresses in height, the screens go up in level, using a crane or a hydraulic system. This safety system also offers excellent protection against harsh weather and protects workers from the effects of vertigo provoked by looking down from a height.

ULMA also has perimeter working platforms such as BF-170 that are moved from one floor to another as the building grows in height and function as safe supports during the construction of formwork, fences or wall repairs. 

Innovative formwork systems that offer a high level of safety

In keeping with the criteria of profitability and safety, the innovation of ULMA products is reflected, for example, in the development of CC-4 slab formwork system, whose aluminium features provide lightness to the formwork. This system is characterised by rapid assembly and dismantling thanks to the drophead design that allows the formwork to descend to 15cm, facilitating the recovery of material without it falling to the ground, ensuring workers' safety and preventing materials being damaged. As part of the verified collective protection, this system includes the under slab safety net that eliminates the risk of falling to the floor below during the process of positioning the panels and boards.

Another formwork system developed by ULMA in keeping with their solid commitment to safety is the RKS Rail Climbing Formwork System, which permits formwork panels to be climbed without separating the structure from the wall, meaning that lifting work is carried out safely in any weather conditions. 

Each system developed by ULMA is accompanied by documentation such as user guides and technical assembly instructions that encourage correct, responsible and safe use by workers. These instructions are also complemented by regular training sessions run by the ULMA technical team on the use of formwork systems and scaffolding, both in the assembly process and their use on site.