Donaldson Timber Engineering offers new SafeWell for reusable stairwell protection

A timber stairwell protection kit that is adjustable and can be reused has been launched by Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE) to increase its health and safety product offering.

SafeWell, as the new product is called, follows on from DTE’s introduction of its SafeStep product, and has been designed to remove the risk of working at height when using first and/or second floor joists as a platform during the build process.

The company says the patent-pending SafeWell is suitable for use on all standard house types with a straight flight of stairs, and provides a cost-effective solution providing safety for workers and added value for the builder. Unlike the disposable stairwell protection kits currently on the market, SafeWell can be used multiple times – making it less expensive per use and reducing the cost of waste disposal on site.

As the main beam and components can be used 10 times, the cost saving per development is substantial. Based on a 50 plot scheme, SafeWell saves builders more than £1,000 on materials, as well as 1.5 tonnes of waste on site, the company claims.

SafeWell is created by fixing a main beam to the flooring system with hangers and extending a notched Kerto beam across the required length of the stairwell. Supporting beams are positioned within the well to line through with the flooring system beams, allowing for various covers, including chipboard, to be used. As SafeWell is installed using the same methods as existing stairwell protection kits, carpenters and builders will already know how to use the system, allowing for efficient speed of build with no need for additional training.

Jonathan Fellingham, managing director of DTE, said: “More than half of all fatal injuries in the construction industry are a result of falls from height, so over the past two years we’ve invested in working on products which can reduce the risks associated with working at height.

“Experience has proven that simple solutions are often the best, so we took a commonly used product and made it more economical using straightforward timber innovation. It has an unquestionable edge over the competition with its ease of installation and use, cost effectiveness, and waste reduction.”