Accompanying image shows two of the Custom Consoles MDesk Technical HA technical control desks newly completed for the Milford Haven Port Authority.
Custom Consoles announces the completion of technical control desks and related furniture for the Milford Haven Port Authority. The UK's leading energy port, Milford Haven is a busy shipping gateway handling liquid, bulk, break bulk and heavy lift cargoes from its western UK site. A twice daily freight and passenger ferry connects the UK and Ireland.
The project forms part of an upgrade to the port’s main control suite. It includes two Vessel Traffic Service operator consoles plus a supervisor’s console, each from the MDesk Technical HA series, as well as partitions, storage units, monitor display mounting arms, in-desk and under-desk LED lighting and power distribution, and 24/7 chairs. Also provided were a map table plus storage units for reference and procedures manuals and charts.
“Our MDesk-Technical heavy-duty workstations were developed for exactly this type of application,” says Neil Reed, managing director at Custom Consoles. “A distinguishing feature of the HA series is height adjustability which allows staff to set the desktop level to their personal preference including the option of sitting or standing. The desktop can be varied in height from 66 cm to 125 cm above floor level. Electrically motorised, its total lifting capacity is 400 kg.”
“Over the past two decades there has been increasing evidence to support the practical and wellbeing benefits of stand-up office working,” says Fraser Turvey, marine duty officer, Milford Haven Vessel Traffic Service. “Users of such equipment report increased energy levels, circulation and concentration among the myriad of benefits and it is an easy way for employers to help impede the onset of some common musculoskeletal and postural issues. Combine shift working, long hours and seated office-based work and you have the perfect storm for ill health.
“We are delighted to now have the capability to stand as we work. This will undoubtedly improve the health of every team member who chooses to use the stand-up facility. Not only are we getting the musculoskeletal benefits of standing but from early monitoring we are now capable of a massive 50% increase in NEAT (Non-exercise activity thermogenesis during an 11 hour day shift. This means that our shifts are now involving only in the region of 25% less movement than our days off. The health benefits both short and long term cannot be understated.
“The desks themselves are solid and the colours as chosen are aesthetically pleasing. They make the whole control room look more professional for 2024. The larger surface area has allowed us to allocate additional working screens for more efficient working and the curved wrap-around design has created an involving workstation.
“An unexpected benefit has been the ability to use the desks and computer screens in the standing configuration to block out direct sunlight that is often not sufficiently dampened by the control room window blinds. This is more prevalent during sunny winter days with low sun. Thank you Custom Consoles!”
“Each of the VTS control desks is a wing-shaped unit with five video monitor screens in a horizontal array mounted along the rear edge,” details Gary Fuller, Custom Consoles’ sales manager. “A 45 centimetre high vertical panel on the left and right sides of the worktop allows each operator to concentrate fully on harbour traffic movement and related information relayed via the monitor displays. LED lighting panels below both VTS desks provide floor-level illumination, allowing night-duty staff to operate with minimal distraction. Work surface illumination is also provided from individual task lamps attached directly to the desk. The supervisor’s desk is of similar design but extending into a corner location.”
MDesk-Technical HA conforms to Custom Consoles' high standard of engineering and robust construction, ensuring a long working lifetime as well as easy repair in the event of excessive wear or accidental damage. All desks in the series are constructed from CDF carcasses with Marmoleum or laminate work surfaces, edged in a matching PVC. The base section incorporates two 3U-high 19 inch racking sections behind access panels.
Like standard versions of MDesk-Technical, the HA model is available with side panels as well as wider pedestals capable of accommodating PCs or integral key-lockable storage cabinets. Free-standing 19 inch desktop pods can be specified at the time of order or added later.
Cable management is implemented across all Custom Consoles desks and monitor walls. Multiple monitor mounting points are provided along the rear of the work surface. Cables are routed to the desktop cable trays via two energy chains and fed to the work surface through cable ports. Mobile devices can be charged by a desktop induction pad. LED lighting illuminates the front of the base legs and PC enclosures.
MDesk-Technical and MDesk-Technical HA are designed to meet ISO9241 part 5, ISO11064 parts 3 and 4 EN527 part 1.
Custom Consoles (https://www.customconsoles.co.uk) designs and manufactures project-specific and modular broadcast, process-control and security furniture. Its product range includes motorised and fixed-height desks and equipment housings. The company operates from a UK-based production facility equipped with 3D computer-aided-design facilities and computer-controlled cutting machinery. These resources provide the dual benefits of precise quality control and prompt delivery times. Custom Consoles' clients include governmental and corporate organisations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.
