Two of the biggest names in working at height safety have come together here in the UK. Morris Material Handling - one of the country's leading cranes, hoists and materials handling equipment manufacturers - has established a strategic partnership with Bacou-Dalloz, the world's number one player in the field of fall arrest/protection systems and personal protection equipment (PPE).

Under the terms of the new partnership agreement, Morris Material Handling will be promoting Söll Fall Protection Systems and Miller personal protective equipment from Bacou-Dalloz through its well-known Morris Institute and nationwide network of Service Centres. Morris Material Handling technicians have already been fully trained in the design, installation and maintenance of Bacou-Dalloz systems and equipment, and have already begun working on a number of installations around the country.

Morris Material Handling is also due to announce its introduction of a one-day intensive and rigorous height safety and rescue course for its team technicians and service centre managers that will be carried out at a specially designed and bespoke training area located within the premises of its Loughborough head office. The course will also be designed for all Morris customers who work at height.

"This is not only a natural progression for Morris Material Handling, it gives our customers the opportunity to deal with two of the most reputable companies in the industry: high quality systems and equipment can now be supplied and installed by a single supplier anywhere in the UK," states Pat Campbell, Operations Director Maintenance Services at Morris Material Handling.

Also serving to strengthen the significance of the partnership is the Work at Height Regulations that came into force in April. As Pat Campbell adds: "The new regulations not only serve to bring us inline with the rest of the EEC, they have also increased awareness across all industry sectors of the importance of protecting employees who operate in potentially dangerous height situations. It is our aim to ensure that personnel employed by our customers receive the ultimate in protection when working at heights, and by working with such a world leading brand such Bacou-Dalloz, we will be able to achieve this."

Whilst Morris Material Handling will initially focus on promoting the new service to customers within the major crane and gantry market, the company also intends to extend the service to customers operating in all of its key vertical markets.

In relation to working at height systems installations, Morris will be supporting Bacou-Dalloz's permanent fall arrest systems - the Söll Xenon Horizontal Lifeline System and Söll GlideLoc Safe Climbing System. The Söll Xenon Horizontal Lifeline can meet all requirements for fixed safety systems, combining a secure anchorage with excellent mobility, for any type of work at height. It is the perfect tool for engineers, contractors and architects to provide secure access on new buildings or industrial sites. Permanently installed on buildings, towers, masts etc, the GlideLoc Safe Climbing System comprises a guided type fall arrester, vertical and horizontal guide rails or fall protection ladders, and a variety of brackets and accessories that adapt the system to most structural profiles.

Morris Material Handling will also be actively promoting a comprehensive range of Miller PPE equipment, such as Miller Duraflex, Miller Manyards, Miller Lanyards, and Miller Falcon fall blocks.

A spokesperson for Bacou-Dalloz concluded by saying: "We are delighted to have joined forces with such a prominent name in the cranes, hoists and materials handling equipment market. Morris has an excellent reputation for technical capability and the Morris Institute is revered by many leading companies here in the UK. We look forward to working together to create a new force in working at height safety.