Projects
Roof Walkway System and Access Gantry Installation for a National Retailer in Plymouth
The Client
Our client is one of the UK’s largest retailers, operating an extensive network of stores and facilities across the country. With large commercial properties containing complex plant, mechanical and electrical equipment, safe and reliable access for maintenance teams is essential to keeping sites operational.
As a national Key Account for Heightsafe, the client has a longstanding relationship with our team, with a dedicated account and contracts team supporting their Work at Height requirements across multiple sites throughout the UK.
At this particular site in Lee Mill, near Plymouth, Heightsafe has delivered a number of Work at Height safety improvements over time, including the installation of more than 370 linear metres of perimeter guardrail, ground-based railing around delivery bay areas and several bespoke access gantries.
This latest project builds on that relationship, providing further improvements to safe access around critical plant and equipment.
The Brief
The latest project involved two work packages at the same site, with the objective of improving safe access to critical plant equipment and addressing existing hazards within the working environment.
Maintenance and operational personnel required reliable access to plant areas, while changes in level across the site created potential slip, trip and fall hazards. Heightsafe was tasked with designing and installing three bespoke access gantries and two large step units to provide safer, more practical routes around the equipment.
The project also required careful consideration of the installation methodology. Due to the size and weight of the steelwork, a mobile crane was required to safely lift the materials and fabricated sections to roof level. With the client operating a busy retail site, the works also needed to be carefully planned to minimise disruption and complete the installation efficiently.
The Solution
Heightsafe designed, supplied and installed three bespoke access gantries to provide secure and reliable access to critical plant equipment. The gantries form part of a wider roof walkway system, creating dedicated working platforms around the equipment, allowing maintenance and operational personnel to access the areas they need without having to negotiate unsuitable or potentially hazardous routes.
Two large step units were also installed to overcome changes in level across the site. These provide clearly defined and stable access between different elevations, removing existing trip hazards and improving the overall accessibility of the plant areas.
To facilitate the installation, a mobile crane was used to safely lift the required steelwork and materials onto roof level. Careful planning of the lifting operation reduced manual handling requirements and enabled the installation team to begin assembly promptly.
Following the successful lifting operation, Heightsafe’s experienced installation team completed the assembly and installation of all three gantries and two step units within an impressive five-day programme.
The bespoke nature of the systems allowed the new access equipment to be designed around the existing building, plant and site layout, creating practical access routes without compromising the ongoing operation of the facility.
The Outcome
The completed works have provided the client with a safer and more efficient means of accessing critical plant equipment, while addressing existing hazards across the site.
The three new plant access gantries provide dedicated and reliable platforms for maintenance and operational personnel, reducing the need to navigate difficult access routes and allowing essential inspection, servicing and maintenance activities to be carried out more safely.
The two large step units have also removed identified slip, trip and fall hazards associated with changes in level. By providing a stable and clearly defined route between different elevations, the new systems have improved accessibility and created a safer working environment for personnel using the plant areas.
This latest installation forms part of a much wider, ongoing relationship between Heightsafe and the client. As one of Heightsafe’s key national accounts, the client has a dedicated team who manage and support their Work at Height requirements across multiple sites. This provides continuity across projects and allows Heightsafe to develop an in-depth understanding of the client’s buildings, safety requirements and operational needs.
As part of this ongoing relationship, Heightsafe also carries out annual compliance testing and inspection of Work at Height systems across the client’s sites. Where inspections identify damaged, worn or non-compliant components, our team can provide the necessary remedial works, helping to keep systems safe, compliant and ready for use.
The wider site safety infrastructure has been developed through a number of projects and includes more than 370 linear metres of perimeter guardrail, ground-based railing around delivery bay areas and previously installed access gantries. This latest project adds further bespoke access infrastructure to an established Work at Height strategy, demonstrating how Heightsafe can support a key client through multiple projects and throughout the lifecycle of their safety systems.
By combining bespoke plant access systems, access gantries, roof walkway systems, step units, guardrail and ongoing compliance testing, Heightsafe provides a complete approach to Work at Height safety. The result is a safer, more accessible site that supports the client’s maintenance requirements while helping to reduce workplace hazards and maintain compliance over the long term.
FAQs
What are access gantries used for?
Access gantries provide dedicated, elevated walkways that give maintenance and operational personnel safe, reliable routes to reach plant and mechanical equipment without navigating hazardous or unsuitable areas.
How were the gantries installed at this site?
Due to the size and weight of the steelwork, a mobile crane was used to lift the fabricated gantry sections to roof level, with Heightsafe’s installation team completing assembly of all three gantries and two step units within a five-day programme.
What is a Modsafe access gantry?
Modsafe is Heightsafe’s range of bespoke access gantry, walkway and step unit products, designed around a site’s existing building, plant layout and specific access requirements.
Does Heightsafe provide ongoing support after installation?
Yes. Heightsafe carries out annual compliance testing and inspection of installed Work at Height systems, along with remedial works where components are found to be damaged, worn or non-compliant.
Contact Us
If your building has difficult or hazardous access to plant equipment, Heightsafe can design and install a bespoke plant access system tailored to your site.
From access gantries and platforms to step units, roof walkway systems, guardrails and complete roof safety systems, our experienced team can provide a solution that improves access, reduces risk and supports ongoing Work at Height compliance.
Heightsafe can also provide annual compliance testing, inspection and remedial works, helping ensure your Work at Height systems remain safe, compliant and fit for purpose throughout their lifecycle.
Contact the Heightsafe team on 020 3819 7199 or submit an enquiry here.
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