PROJECT OF THE MONTH
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Rope and Sling Specialists (RSS) is a national supplier of lifting and rigging equipment, supporting major UK civil engineering and infrastructure projects. Led by managing director Steve Hutin for over two decades, the company offers products for sale or hire, built on technical expertise and an unwavering commitment to safety. RSS combines decades of practical knowledge with innovative digital solutions
like the live365 compliance platform, simplifying equipment management throughout its operational life. This technology provides customers with digital certification, pre-use inspections and data analysis to strengthen compliance. However, RSS believes digital tools enhance – rather than replace – the critical engineering judgement of its experienced lifting specialists. Quality and safety are embedded in all operations, supported by ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications, alongside SafeContractor accreditation. RSS adheres to stringent industry standards, including LEEA, LOLER and FORS, offering full product traceability and non-destructive testing (NDT). By uniting trusted engineering expertise with intelligent digital platforms, RSS helps customers manage their lifting operations safely, efficiently and with total confidence.
understand how a test is planned and delivered safely. With a skills gap emerging across the industry, giving younger engineers supervised, practical experience is essential to developing the expertise we’ll need in the future.” Smith added that business across the Midlands
“Working alongside multiple contractors and planning suitable areas for test weights required a high level of coordination and technical expertise. It’s the kind of work we’re experienced in delivering, but the scale and complexity of this project made it especially rewarding.”
Bridging the skills gap The project also provided RSS with an opportunity to combine the expertise of its senior engineers with the development of the trainee engineering team. Working alongside experienced colleagues, trainees gained valuable hands-on exposure to the testing of a wide range of lifting equipment, while seeing first-hand how complex testing programmes are planned, coordinated and delivered on a major project. Bob McFarlane, engineering and compliance manager, and Danny Kelly, trainee engineering services division engineer, worked closely together throughout the programme, combining McFarlane’s extensive experience with Kelly’s developing expertise. Engineer Ian Spafford, who recently joined the business
in the region, also played a key role in the project’s success. An International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) PAL Card holder, he was responsible for safely manoeuvring mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) around the busy site. Smith said: “We immediately recognised the enfinium
Kelvin WTE contract as a valuable opportunity for knowledge transfer. Bob’s years of experience in testing cranes and large lifting beams, including developing innovative test setups, provided an ideal foundation for Danny to gain hands-on experience. “It’s not enough to explain the process – you need to be involved in the set-up, rigging, testing and recording to
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remains steady, with the company’s new Netherton branch performing broadly in line with expectations during its first seven months of trading. Establishing the facility has required significant investment in time, resources and infrastructure, but the focus is now firmly on growth, with the forthcoming launch of the industrial tools division set to add a further range of innovative hydraulic, lifting and material handling products and services to its regional offering.
Above left: The site presented logistical challenges due to restricted access.
Below, left to right: RSS’s Ian Spafford, engineer; Danny Kelly, trainee
engineering services division engineer; and Bob McFarlane, engineering and compliance manager.
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