Uniline Safety Systems

When CERN needed to comply with European Health & Safety legislation to protect people working at height, they contacted Uniline’s partner in France & Switzerland, Altius.

CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research and its primary function is finding out what the Universe is made of and how it works. CERN houses some of the world’s largest and most complex scientific equipment, including the ‘Large Hadron Collider’ which is being used to recreate conditions in the Universe just after ‘The Big Bang.’

Following detailed consultation to understand the needs of the customer, Altius, with Uniline’s support set about designing a range of comprehensive fall protection solutions for a number of areas of the CERN facility.

Uni-8 Systems, from Uniline’s MultiSafe range were installed extensively to enable the safe inspection and maintenance of overhead crane tracks, buzz bars and crane operating systems as well as important scientific equipment used in experiments and research projects.

The Uni-8 Systems provide continuous hands free access using a unique attachment device which by passes the systems intermediate support brackets. This enables the systems to span the long distances required by the customer, without the need for the workers to disconnect. This ensures the highest level of safety.

Due to the diverse nature of the CERN facility, systems were installed above the workers head wherever possible to minimize the consequences of a fall, but also in some cases at waist and foot level. Uniline were able to ensure that the design layouts proposed were safe using the companies Uniline for Windows software, which simulates the performance of the safety system and the effects on the worker in the event of a fall.

CERN selected Altius and Uniline due to the combination of; product quality and functionality, international project references, Altius’ experience as an installer and the high standards of technical expertise and customer service demonstrated by both companies.

The installation work, which included the design and fabrication of some custom structural anchors, was completed on time with minimal disruption to the facility.

Did you know? Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist at CERN invented the World Wide Web in 1989. To find out how it works visit; http://public.web.cern.ch/public/en/about/webwork-en.html