News and Updates

Safety specialist Arco has launched its own range of working at height equipment, designed and developed with experts from its safety services division, along with its fall protection manufacturing partners.

The new range introduces an own brand offering to add to the wide selection of fall protection equipment Arco already offers from some of the biggest brands in the safety industry.

The range features 17 products, including safety harnesses; anchorage slings; arrest, restraint and positioning lanyards; and self-retracting blocks, all designed to keep workers safe when carrying out tasks at height and in confined spaces.

The harnesses and lanyard are used together to prevent accidents when there is a risk of a fall from any height. The self-retracting blocks are designed for lower-height applications, instantly locking on impact to prevent falls.

Arco Professional Safety Services experts are already using the new equipment in the field and when delivering training courses at the company's five safety centres across the UK.

Mike Clayton, technical lead for working at height at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"The new Arco working at height equipment range has been designed, developed with help from our own experts to bring total assurance and quality to the safety products market.

"Arco leads the market in working at height expertise with our joined-up safety solutions tailoring the perfect combination of products and services.

"Bringing our own working at height product range to the market furthers this offering, with another avenue for our core purpose, keeping people at work safe."

Falling from height is the most common cause of death in the workplace, accounting for 36% of fatal injuries in 2023/24, according to recent HSE statistics¹.

As a trusted safety provider with 140 years of experience, Arco offers working at height equipment for sale and hire, as well as safety solutions such as consultancy, training and equipment maintenance services through its Arco Professional Safety Services division.

See the new Arco working at height equipment range

Find out more about Arco Professional Safety Services' working at height solutions

¹HSE statistics: https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm.

Arco has landed two contracts, worth a total of almost £200,000, to supply PPE and workwear in the education and waste sectors.

After a competitive tender process, the University of Huddersfield awarded Arco a contract to supply its PPE and uniforms for the next two years. The deal, worth around £80,000, also has potential of extension for up to three additional years.

Arco, the UK's leading safety supplier, secured the contract based on the price and quality of its product offering, as well as assurances of continued stock availability. In addition, Arco was able to provide a number of specific products not offered by other suppliers.

The bid was also supported by positive references from a number of UK universities that Arco has worked with for several years.

In the waste sector, Arco has secured a contract worth more than £110,000 to supply PPE and workwear to a major energy-from-waste (EfW) operator.

Energy from waste plays a valuable part in the UK's circular economy and waste management solutions, aligning with Arco's commitment to sustainability and being a responsible choice of safety partner.

EfW facilities are governed by some of the world's strictest environmental regulations, and required to meet or exceed stringent standards on emissions controls.

See Arco's full range of safety products

A dozen hardy hikers from Arco have completed a 25km trek through the Peak District to raise funds for the UK's leading mental health charity.

Six members of the Hull-based safety company's executive team, along with six internal sales managers, took part in the Peak District Ultra Challenge on Saturday, in support of the Mental Health Foundation.

The two teams set off from Bakewell basecamp and walked a 25km loop, taking in some of Derbyshire's stunning scenery and sights, including Chatsworth House.

With "true team spirit" on show, the exec team completed the challenge in just over five hours, with the sales team finishing in six hours and 20 minutes.

Jimmy Wright, internal regional sales manager at Arco, said:

"We came into the challenge not knowing what to expect. This was a test that was both physically and mentally challenging.

"We went through the mill, but it didn't dampen our spirits. We had some music playing and were singing and dancing right until the end.

"I'm so proud of the team, I can't really put it into words. I would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who has donated and sent messages of support to us; it definitely helped us get through this challenge."

In total, the teams have so far raised more than £8,400 from the Peak District challenge. Anyone who wants to donate can do so via the links below:

• Exec team (JustGiving)
• Internal sales (JustGiving)

Di Hopper, chief people officer at Arco, said:

"It was amazing to be out walking for such a well-known and important charity as the Mental Health Foundation.

"We filled the five hours with some great team-building chats, plenty of banter and lots of fun. It was worth the physical pain we all felt for the following 48 hours!

"We talked about how, by getting out and working on our physical fitness, while embracing the countryside, the fresh air and the atmosphere of the event, we really felt we were contributing to our own mental wellbeing, while raising money to help others with theirs.

"But the most rewarding part was knowing how much money we had raised and how many individuals we can reach indirectly, helping them get support when they need it."

As part of its partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, Arco is also donating 10% of profits from sales of its own brand hard hats to the charity.

The charity partnership is part of Arco's commitment to creating social value in communities across the UK and overseas.

Find out more about Arco's corporate social responsibility initiatives.

With the eyes of the world on Wimbledon, the experts at Arco Professional Safety Services have been working to ensure the safety of people working behind the scenes.

Arco has been providing fall protection services and working at height training for the Championships since 2019, helping to ensure the safety of maintenance and cleaning staff, camera and lighting crews, and others working in areas where there is a risk of falling.

For the past five years, Arco's team of working at height specialists have been instrumental in installing and annually testing and recertifying vital fall protection systems at the world-famous All England Club, including on Centre Court and Courts 1 and 2.

In preparation for this year's tournament, Arco has meticulously inspected around a dozen different fall protection assets, including RoofSafe and 3M horizontal lifeline systems, Soll Pivitloc ladder systems, fall arrest anchor points, fixed ladders, and self-retracting lifeline fall arrest blocks.

Arco's highly skilled trainers have also provided training in rooftop safety and rescue from height, allowing the Wimbledon team to safely access the court roofs to maintain lighting banners and other equipment. Workers have to be retrained in rescue from height every year and rooftop safety every three years.

Matthew Glass, fall protection manager at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"By testing and certifying the fall protection systems and providing essential work at height training, Arco plays an important role in the smooth and safe operation of the Wimbledon championships.

"With our support, the Wimbledon team can focus on delivering a world-class sporting event, knowing that Arco, the Experts in Safety, are helping them meet the highest safety standards."

Arco Professional Safety Services provide consultancy, training, services and equipment to manage the most complex and high-risk, hazardous scenarios

Find out more at arcoservices.co.uk

Working at height specialists from Arco Professional Safety Services have installed vital safety systems on a thrilling new rollercoaster at the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort.

The £10m Minifigure Speedway is the UK's first LEGO duelling rollercoaster, featuring cars that race to the end of a dynamic dual track before racing in reverse back to the start, reaching speeds of up to 35mph.

Arco worked with park operator Merlin Entertainments and ride manufacturer Zierer on the design, fabrication and installation of horizontal and inclined cable systems designed to provide reliable fall protection for LEGOLAND maintenance staff.

The fall protection solutions allow workers to safely conduct daily inspections, carry out essential repairs, and manage reactive tasks, including the safe evacuation of guests if necessary.

Matthew Glass, fall protection manager at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"We are proud to bring our working at height expertise to another exciting new rollercoaster, continuing our long-standing partnership with Merlin Entertainments.

"We are proud to have played a role in bringing this new experience to life for Legoland Windsor Resort, helping to ensure the ride is not only exciting but also meets the highest standards of safety.

"The fall protection systems will ensure workers can carry out their duties with confidence, knowing they are secured by a system that allows them to move freely and safely when working at height."

The inclined cable systems installed by Arco, supplied by MSA Latchways, are specifically designed to provide reliable fall protection for people working on sloped structures, including rollercoasters. In the event of a slip or fall, the BridgeLatch guided-type fall arresters lock on immediately, preventing a potential accident.

Stephen Cassidy, health, safety & security director at LEGOLAND Windsor, said:

"We have worked with Arco professional specialists on many projects at LEGOLAND Windsor as the safety of our workforce is paramount.

"Arco have provided robust ergonomic solutions for performing planned and reactive working at height maintenance operations and we continue to work with Arco for best practice guidance and for the maintenance and inspection of our fall prevention and arrest systems".

Falls from height are the most common cause of fatality and serious injury in the workplace, so fall protection is vitally important.

Arco Professional Safety Services' fall protection solutions help ensure the safety of workers and prevent accidents when working at height.

Find out more about Arco's fall protection solutions