With the death of Trevor Fennell, the work at height industry has lost one its most respected, knowledgeable and popular figures.
For more than 30 years Trevor dedicated his career to advancing safety, standards and best practice in the UK temporary and permanent façade access industry, first as a senior director of several major access companies, and latterly as the secretary of SAEMA, the Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association.
Through his Chesterfield-based consultancy, Fentech Access Consultancy & Training Services Ltd, he was also instrumental in the design of innovative access solutions for a number of iconic UK buildings.
His experience and expertise was much in demand and he was a key contributor – through various official committees – to the development of UK and European product and safety standards.
Trevor was also an enthusiastic and committed supporter of the work and role of the Access Industry Forum (AIF) and played a major part in its creation and subsequent contribution to height safety.
His philosophy is perhaps best summarised in a quote from SHP Online: “It’s essential that projects are carried out to the highest standards in accordance with established best practice. Standards need to be fully understood and complied with in order to keep operatives safe.”
“There can be no room for complacency when they are suspended hundreds of metres above the ground.”
The member organisations of the AIF are deeply saddened by his loss and send their condolences to his wife, Barbara, and family.
As one AIF colleague commented: “Trevor was a real gentleman who made his mark on his industry. He will be sadly missed.”
