Dual-functionality for fall arrest and goods lifting within utility shafts
CLIENT
DATE
March 2023
LOCATION
Elmshorn, Germany
PRODUCTs
with IKAR HRA 18 & IKAR HRA Adapter
The dual-functional PORTAGANTRY RAPIDE was the ideal solution for utility supplier Stadtweke Elmshorn. They required fall protection for at least 2 workers who need to enter shafts via fixed ladders while also needing to lift and carefully replace 400kg pumps.
The background
Stadtwerke Elmshorn are a regional utility supplier, who distribute gas, electricity, water and heat for residential and commercial use in Elmshorn and the surrounding areas. They need to ensure when working on-site that their employees can work safely within their 30 shafts and wells in the city. Their duties can include inspections, maintenance work and pump replacement, sometimes with the use of a tanker truck. Sites are visited regularly and can include cordoned off asphalted areas, in the open air, in garages, grassy terrain as well as urban areas.
The challenge
When on location, Stadtwerke Elmshorn needed to ensure that any dangers to their team entering the shafts were thought of and reduced. Such dangers included, employees falling into the shaft, gases being released, and they needed to secure the members of the team who would be descending into the shaft via the fixed ladder as well as without a ladder.
The solution would need to be able to secure at least 2 people with the correct protective equipment. It also needed to be able to load winches and HRA safety devices to act as a rescue device for any existing people possibly trapped in the shafts. They already had fall arrest devices from IKAR, so the system needed to be compatible with those.
As well as fall protection, the system needed to be able to lift pumps weighing up to 400kg whilst being able to place the pumps down cleanly. It also needed to be usable on different surfaces and different sites whilst being transportable and only requiring a maximum of 2 people to set it up.
The SOLUTION
Helge Bremer from Kuehling & Co GmbH recommended REID’s PORTAGANTRY RAPIDE, specifically the PGRS23 with a 2.3m beam. This system weighs only 38kg and is easily portable whilst also being able to lift goods up to 400kg and provide fall arrest capacity for two people, making it ideal for Stadtwerke Elmshorn’s needs. The system accommodates existing protective equipment from IKAR, and the lockable castors enable movement while lifting pumps.
The PORTAGANTRY RAPIDE is easily adjustable, making it a perfect fit for a variety of work sites. With the ability to accommodate two people at once, the system is ideal for teams working in tight spaces. The system is also designed to provide maximum protection for each individual worker. With the help of the winch and height safety device, workers can easily secure themselves in place, ensuring that they are safe and stable while working.
The feedback
The is easy to set up and fits into our vehicles, so it is transportable in terms of weight. It is also compatible with our existing IKAR equipment and fits over all the shafts we work in.” - Manuel Vogler, Stadtwerke Elmshorn