SWL lift "nightmare" of safety processes
13/05/2010
Unique software system developed by NSIG member
Safe operation of lifting equipment in the UK and internationally has been underpinned by a unique software system developed by a Scottish Highland-based business.
Management of complex inspection and certification programmes for onshore and offshore lifting equipment – often involving hundreds or thousands of components in different sites – is a challenging requirement for businesses to avoid accidents or expensive ‘downtime.’
Now Safety, Welding & Lifting (International) Ltd (SWL) of Invergordon in Easter Ross have launched an online management system which integrates the inspection, load testing and certification processes and provides early warning of future inspection or testing dates.
Developed over 12 months with external software specialists, the new WEBCERT system eliminates staff intensive paper-based monitoring activities, the need for hard copy certificates, cumbersome storage facilities and the potential loss of valuable documentation.
“If parts of an organisation’s certification process break down, key equipment for a current project may be scrapped, quarantined or, at worst, put to use without a legal, in-date certificate, with major implications for time, money and critically for safety ,” said David Wilson of SWL.
“WEBCERT overcomes the logistical nightmare of maintaining tightly-regulated lifting and safety equipment and monitors thousands of components, irrespective of who supplied the goods or certification services, on sites across the country or the world.”
The system also provides an instant Health and Safety Audit trail and has already won about a dozen subscribers, including Orkney Ferries, energy-related businesses Norpower and NES Engineering of Easter Ross, engineering company MTDS of Caithness, and logistics support and crane hire business Port Services Group, whose operations include Invergordon and Aberdeen.
SWL, who specialise in inspection, testing and supplying safety, welding and lifting equipment, started-up in 1994 as part of the Isleburn group. It was bought-out as an independent company in 2008 by current managing director David Stephen, following the Global Energy Group’s takeover of Isleburn, and increased its turnover by about 30 per cent to £1.27 million in its first year of operation.
The company supplies businesses in industries including oil and gas, renewables, marine and civil engineering, construction, forestry, fish farming and waste services, across Scotland, the UK and Europe.