A Hyundai forklift truck had a helping hand in the construction of one of the UK’s temporary Nightingale hospitals, which were set up to help in the fight against Covid-19.
Nottingham-based security barrier manufacturer, Hardstaff Barriers, a division of Hill and Smith Ltd, expanded its fleet last year with two new Hyundai 80D-9 diesel counterbalance forklifts.
Hardstaff recently supplied hostile vehicle mitigation protection to the NHS Nightingale Covid-19 support hospital in Harrogate, through its government framework. One of the company’s Hyundai forklift trucks helped unload the kit from the three delivery HGVs and placing in situ ready for installation.
The NHS Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber is a 500-bed facility, which was converted from Harrogate’s Convention Centre in under three weeks. The hospital was officially opened by 100-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore in a virtual ceremony.
A supporting infrastructure was built within the curtilage of the convention centre. Due to its proximity to the main road, a solution was required to protect the new installations from errant or hostile vehicles. Hardstaff Barriers provided a gated linear solution to protect the infrastructure. The business installed two HVM swing arm gates and 30 metres of concrete Quick Moveable Barrier (QMB).
Wes Baker, fleet and operational support manager at Hardstaff Barriers said, “The Hyundai material handling fork truck assisted with the loading and unloading of the HGVs. Since we purchased the two Hyundai’s, as part of our fleet expansion, the trucks have been put through their paces on some high-level HVM security projects. The machines have proved to be both robust and reliable.
“The Hyundai was chosen after trials with it and its competitors and was found to be the best-matched machine for the Hardstaff operation. The machine is short for an 8t machine making it more manoeuvrable in tight spaces which is something we encounter often.”
Hardstaff specified some additional safety features for the new forklift trucks including additional high-level mast lights and low-level lights, a reversing safety camera, overhead high voltage cable detectors, Chapter 8 chevrons and extra reflective markings.
