SpanSet, a leader in height safety training, has unveiled its new Gotcha Rescuer Helmet Badge at its Training Centre.
The launch, with valued partners from ALTRAD present to mark the occasion, underscores the company’s commitment to workplace safety, particularly in environments where fall arrest harnesses and lanyards are in use.
Pete Ward, Managing Director of SpanSet, highlighted the practical thinking behind the badges: “In the workplace, if accidents occur, we need to be prepared to act quickly. Seeing a first aid helmet sticker for the first time was a lightbulb moment for me. It made perfect sense—not only can you spot first aiders more easily, but you start to remember who they are, just in case. The same logic applies to rescue from height. For those using fall arrest systems, knowing who the trained rescuers are is crucial.”
The Gotcha range of rescue kits by SpanSet already stands out on site, akin to fire extinguishers or first aid kits. The new badges serve a similar purpose by making trained rescuers easily identifiable, reinforcing safety protocols and ensuring readiness in emergencies.
SpanSet’s collaboration with ALTRAD has been instrumental in this initiative. Technical specialists Chris James and Simon Mitchell have visited over twenty ALTRAD sites, advising on best practices for height rescue preparedness. Inviting ALTRAD to the badge launch was a natural extension of these visits, celebrating a shared commitment to safety.
At the launch event, six ALTRAD scaffolders completed their GOTCHA2 training and became the first recipients of the new Gotcha Rescuer Helmet Badge. These badges will help colleagues quickly identify trained rescuers on site, ensuring swift action when needed.
Steve Ingle, Technical Authority for Scaffolding and Temporary Works at ALTRAD, praised the initiative: “It was great to be back at SpanSet and to be a part of this important initiative. The Gotcha Rescue Badge launch will benefit teams on the ground and provide peace of mind to ALTRAD clients. Our longstanding relationship with SpanSet and the support they provide are paramount to achieving the highest safety standards.”
Dean Butler, HSEQ Advisor at ALTRAD, also expressed gratitude: “Thank you for accommodating us last Thursday and being such amazing hosts. The idea behind the stickers on helmets to clearly identify who’s been trained is brilliant. It was a brilliant day, well received by our scaffolders involved, and we look forward to seeing the pictures and video footage from the day. We will continue to use SpanSet as we trust you as the experts.”
Pete Ward concluded by congratulating the ALTRAD Gotcha Rescuers and reiterating SpanSet’s commitment to safety: “We are passionate about developing strong working relationships with our customers, helping them maintain excellent safety records. Safety—it’s what we do.”
The Gotcha Rescuer Helmet Badge is available to anyone who has completed their SpanSet Rescue Training within the last twelve months.
More info here: https://www.spanset.com/uk-en/section/current/gotcha-badge-launch
