The workshops, which are being held at the Derby Conference Centre on November 1, and hosted by the FPS' Derek Egan of Remedy Geotechics, will take the attendees through the spreadsheet, explaining how to best use it to inform the design of the working platform. With rig overturns a continued risk to the sector, the FPS is keen to ensure the spreadsheet's correct use and reinforce the knowledge that may have lapsed over time since the spreadsheet's first introduction.

For example, feedback has shown that design engineers and those in the employ of temporary works departments of main contractors, may not take into account the fact that a different hammer is being used on the rig to the one that is standard, or they may not have thought about what happens when a rig is operated in different modes, FPS noted.

Speaking about the workshops, Alasdair Henderson, chair of the FPS said: "Rig overturns are now a rare occurrence due to the industry's adoption of the FPS guidance and working platform certificate. However, it is important that we continue to do everything we can to ensure these incidents never happen and an improved understanding of the calculations required for rig bearing pressures is part of this. The workshop is essential attendance for anyone tasked with working platform design - from our own members through to those employed by main contractors in temporary works departments."