Renaker Case Study: Enhancing Site Manager Competence in Working at Height

Case Study Client: Renaker

Course Delivered: Level 2 Managers Working at Height

Training Provider: Leading Edge Safety

Trainee Rating: ★★★★★

Client Feedback: “This was a great course that I fully enjoyed as it had a lot of depth.”

Background

Renaker is one of the UK’s leading high-rise residential developers, renowned for bringing iconic projects to life throughout Manchester and the North West.

Given the complexity of these projects, working at height is a routine necessity and ranks among the most hazardous activities on site. That’s where site managers come in, they are crucial in making sure that all work at height is not only planned but also supervised and carried out safely.

Understanding how vital it is to equip their management team with specialised skills, Renaker teamed up with Leading Edge Safety to offer the Level 2 Managers Working at Height course.

The Challenge

Although Renaker already had a strong safety culture, the business identified a gap. Building on their proven capabilities in site operations, the managers are enhancing their well-established site management skills through targeted training in height safety laws and compliance.

Some of the skills included in this refresh included; choosing the right equipment, conducting inspections, and implementing safe working systems. Additionally, it was essential to standardise how risk assessments were handled, method statements, and rescue planning.

This training aimed to build greater confidence in supervising their teams and ensuring that safety standards were rigorously enforced.

The Training Solution

The Level 2 Managers Working at Height course is a full-day programme that combines classroom-based theory with practical exercises and scenario. For Renaker, the training was tailored to reflect the high-rise environment in which their managers operate.

Key Areas of Learning

Legislation and Responsibilities: A thorough examination of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, along with guidance from the HSE and relevant British Standards, ensures that managers grasp both their legal obligations and ethical duties.

Hierarchy of Control: Learn to implement a systematic approach that minimises risks, starting from avoiding work at height whenever possible, to effectively using height safety systems.

Equipment and Systems: Engage in practical training with essential equipment such as harnesses, lifelines, lanyards, inertia reels, anchorage systems, and tool tethering. Focus on correct handling, understanding limitations, and maintenance practices.

Harness Training and Kit Inspections: Receive guidance on how to choose, adjust, and inspect harnesses, along with insights into best practices for storing equipment and conducting pre-use checks.

Dropped Object Prevention: Discover practical methods for tool tethering and strategies to prevent materials from falling on-site.

Rescue Planning: Get insights on effective rescue procedures, including techniques for lowering and raising individuals, addressing suspension trauma, and weaving realistic rescue plans into risk assessments.

Risk Assessments and Method Statements: Participate in hands-on workshops where managers create real-world documents, enhancing their skills in planning, documenting, and communicating safe work systems.

Scenario-Based Application: Engage in group activities that let managers tackle construction-specific challenges directly, reinforcing their knowledge and boosting their confidence.

Outcomes

The course successfully met its goals and produced noticeable outcomes for Renaker.

Boosted Skills and Confidence: Managers walked away from the course with a richer understanding of technical aspects and a newfound assurance in planning and overseeing work at heights.

Enhanced Safety Planning: Risk assessments and method statements were made more thorough, consistent, and compliant across various projects.

Improved Equipment Management: Managers sharpened their abilities in selecting, inspecting, and maintaining equipment, ensuring that their teams use safe and appropriate PPE.

Increased Rescue Readiness: Rescue planning has now become a standard part of project documentation, instilling confidence in both managers and workers that risks are managed effectively.

Strengthened Safety Culture: The training has reinforced Renaker’s proactive safety culture, showing employees that management is dedicated to safeguarding their wellbeing.

Client Feedback

The feedback from the Renaker managers who participated was incredibly positive, and the course earned a fantastic five-star rating.

One site manager summed up the experience perfectly:

“This was a great course that I fully enjoyed as it had a lot of depth.”

Conclusion

By investing in the Level 2 Managers Working at Height course, Renaker has strengthened its ability to manage one of the most significant risks in construction. The training provided its managers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to lead safe practices on site. It not only ensures compliance with regulations but also fosters a workplace culture where safety is paramount.

By committing to the ongoing development of its management team, Renaker not only protects its employees but also safeguards its reputation as an industry leader in both construction quality and safety standards.