Rope Access Solutions - Case Studies

Client:   Corus Colours

Location: Shotton, Deeside

Incident: Smoke Contamination

                       Because of the complicated coating processes employed by Corus that require dust free surfaces and the big demand for the product BELFOR were instructed to urgently decontaminate the full structure of the building and all the services.
Due to the complexity of the building services layout and the limitations on floor access the decontamination was carried out using a variety of working at height techniques. These included mobile elevated work platforms (cherry pickers, scissor lifts etc), scaffold towers and scaffolding. It was realised that a combination of these access methods allowed the decontamination to be carried out to the majority of the structure however approximately 10% of the contaminated surfaces were deemed inaccessible with ‘traditional’ access techniques.

After intensive discussions BELFOR convinced Corus engineers that utilising rope access techniques was a viable option to decontaminate the ‘inaccessible’ areas in terms of health and safety, price and most importantly time. A programme of work was drawn up and all the relevant health and safety documentation was compiled. Using industry approved climbing techniques operatives were able to manoeuvre around the roof structure and access all remaining areas of the structure and services. The Corus engineers were so impressed with the ability and technical know-how of the rope access team they approved additional works beyond the initial work scope including advice on internal working at height issues and production line maintenance.

Paul Bates: Production Manager, Corus Colours,

"This was a very difficult job, and BELFOR were professional and self motivated and rope access was a quick and efficient solutions package." "There were areas of the job where it was not possible to erect scaffolding and so rope access was the solution provided and all in all hundreds of thousands of pounds was saved in time and material costs (i.e. scaffolding)" "BELFOR Were pro-active and demonstrated good knowledge, experience, guidance and reassurance" "it is vital to 'Corus colours' that all surfaces are clean in order for the application process and BELFOR fulfilled those standards as well as the high health and safety standards set"

Paul was so impressed with the work BELFOR did during this job he has asked us back to do some general decontamination work in the factory in difficult to access places.