New scaffold system for offshore operations
The new PlusGard scaffolding system is designed to improve offshore safety and reduce associated operating costs.
It's custom designed for offshore use and provides a dynamic scaffolding enclosure with flexible and easy-to-use telescopic tubes. The company says its new system offers a safer working environment for scaffolders operating at height, specifically over a platform's side or below deck.
As well as helping improve safety, PlusGard helps reduce operating costs associated with scaffolding installation and removal. Traditional over-the-side scaffolding work, the firm notes, requires a fast rescue craft to stand by as a contingency for potential recovery at sea; however, the safe enclosure provided by the PlusGard system eliminates this need, the firm points out.
On efficiency, the company says, "Traditionally we were only able to erect and dismantle scaffolding when a boat was available to stand by, and as boats can only come alongside a platform during daylight hours, this limited the time we were able to spend on a job, especially in the winter months. Furthermore, a rescue vessel's operating envelope is restricted by wind conditions and sea states, meaning activity outside of the agreed safe working parameters has to stop.
"With the PlusGard system we are able to work full daylight hours and be less affected by weather conditions."
The system was recently used on Apache Corp.'s Delta platform in the UK North Sea Forties field to provide access to a cooling water medium pipe work, generating savings for the operator, the scaffold firm says. Using the new system, scaffolders were able to work productively for 6 continuous days without the need for a standby boat. During the project, the scaffolding system was moved between levels eight times without incident, the firm reports.
Source: RBG Ltd., Norfolk House, Petmedden Rd., Dyce, Aberdeen, UK AB21 0DP.
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