A deteriorated asbestos roof posed a safety risk to workers at the One Steel pellet plant in Whyalla, Arrium called in McMahon Services to undertake the high-risk roof replacement.
Safety was the top priority for Arrium and McMahon Services, so the entire roof replacement exercise was completed utilising McMahon Services custom designed 130 tonne Crane Workbox. The Crane Workbox was built to allow asbestos technicians to safely remove asbestos cement material sheets when working at heights. The Workbox was suspended by the crane and allowed up to four personnel to work safely without having to stand on the roof. Our experienced roofing team wore harnesses attached to an inertia reel and removed the asbestos roof sheets while remaining on the working box platform.
Exclusion zones were implemented, sometimes on three levels of the six storey building to ensure that plant workers were kept safe at all times. Arrium was kept regularly informed of work movements to coordinate staff and maintain pellet plant operations.
The wind conditions at this high level and time of the year were a challenge for the roofing team, works were scheduled early in the day to get the most out of the calmer weather conditions and to ensure the safety of our personnel.
The team were also required to work around two emergency gas stacks, which had a 20 metre exclusion zone. Our personnel worked in close consultation with the client and it was decided that work on these areas of the roof should be completed at a later stage, during a cold shutdown.
The roofing team removed 3,980 square metres of asbestos roof sheeting and 598 square metres of wall cladding during the project, all of the deteriorated roof purlins, wall girts and wall cladding were removed and replaced as required.
One Steel and Arrium were highly impressed with the team’s innovative approach and strong attention to safety throughout the project, showcasing our ability to deliver high risk projects that present significant challenges.
