Job Specifics

• Pinnacle were contracted by Thales at the request of the Australian Navy to provide Standby Rescue provision for Thales employees. 
• 8 radar circuit boards on the HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Ballart II needed to be installed on the mast of the ships.

Specialist skills provided

• Standby Rescue Provision / Rope Access Technicians

Skillset required

• Standby rescue provision
• Provision of rescue plans and safe work method statements
• Installing equipment from a difficult access position 10-15 metres above a ship deck
• Rigging solid and reliable anchor systems
• Rigging access lines
• Rope management
• Diversion systems to redirect rope trajectories
• Selection and correct use of equipment

Pinnacle provided Thales with an experienced Stand by Rescue Team and rope access solutions. Our team comprised of 2 technicians who helped with the logistics in the installation of expensive communications equipment from a small platform some 10-15m above the deck of three Navy vessels.  The Radar circuit boards were heavy and costly, with each being worth $250,000 and 8 being installed on each boat. One panel on its own weighed 80kg, and with their delicate nature, systems needed to be used that would avoid them swinging in any way. 

The Pinnacle team set up a  rigging system to haul the panels into place and keep them from hitting anything during the process. This needed to be done as the permanent access line system that Thales had in place could not be used as it did not reach the installation area. It was a difficult job with many obstacles around the work area which would have made a rescue difficult. It was therefore decided if a rescue needed to be performed, it would be a full pick off rescue.

Pinnacle provides this as a regular service to Thales Australia for their Garden Point Operation.

Garden Island, located at Potts Point, Sydney, is the home port for major fleet units based on the East Coast of Australia and is a major marine engineering and refit centre for work undertaken by the Navy and Thales Australia. Thales Australia (formerly ADI Limited) is a primary defence contractor for the Australian Defence Force. The two main users of Garden Island are the Navy and Thales Australia and it is the main base for the Navy Fleet on Australia's East Coast. Thales Australia manages and operates a graving dock (dry dock), a floating dock and a range of ship engineering and maintenance facilities at Garden Island.

Thales Group is a large French multinational company that designs and builds electrical systems and provides services for the aerospace, defence and transportation markets internationally.

Job Specifics

• Contract for installation of Vector Foiltec's Texlon Roofing System at Perth Arena

Specialist skills provided

• Rope Access technicians

Skillset required

• Experience installing Texlon Roofing systems
• Rigging solid and reliable anchor systems
• Selection and correct use Equipment
• Descending skills using twin rope techniques
• Ascending skills using twin rope techniques
• Rope management
• Loop traverses
• Use of bosuns chairs (to avoid suspension intolerance)
• Diversion systems to redirect rope trajectories
• Handling of work tools and equipment during rope access
• Performing work tasks while supported by a rope suspension system

Pinnacle's experienced Rope Access Technicians were contracted to install Vector Foiltec's Texlon Roofing System as part of the design for a new Arena built in Perth. This massive project was in the final stages when the Texlon roofing was ready to be installed. When Pinnacle workers were finally able to access the site for the installation of the Texlon roofing system, there was a very fine timeline for works to be completed before the grand opening in November 2012. Due to our involvement installing the roofing system in numerous other projects in Australia and New Zealand (including Forsyth Barr Stadium NZ, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Energex, University of Adelaide), our technicians completed the contract in 2 months on time and within budget without any problems in time for the 10th November Grand Opening of the arena with a performance by Sir Elton John. Free tickets? Well, no unfortunately!

The Perth Arena is the first stage of the Perth City Link, a 13.5 hectare major urban renewal and redevelopment project which involves the sinking of the Fremantle Railway Line to link the Perth central business district directly with Northbridge The project, managed by Western Australian construction consortium BGC, has been wracked with cost and time blowouts beginning in 2007 and completing in late 2012, with initial estimates for both being unrealistic. The project's original $150 million estimate has blown out to $550 million upon the project's completion. The Perth Arena was jointly designed by architectural firms Ashton, Raggart and McDougall and Cameron Chisholm Nicol and its design is based on the Eternity Puzzle.

Pinnacle Height Safety are ARAA committee members and contributed to the following recommendation.
 

ARAA Technical Guidance Note 14.11.12

Rope Access | Appropriate Connection Points for Fall-Arrest (Back Up) Devices

Introduction
At the recent 2012 ARAA AGM it was reiterated to all attendees that the back-up device we use in our twin rope systems will, in the event of a main line failure, be arresting a free fall that is highly likely to be greater than 600mm. This is undeniable and implies that this device should then only be connected to a specified free-fall arrest point on a given full body harness.

A motion was placed and subsequently passed unanimously by 22 attendees, that the ARAA should endorse a change in practice stipulating that such backup devices should only be attached to the sternal or dorsal attachment points of a full-body harness (NB the ventral attachment point is not a rated free-fall attachment point on any of the harnesses used for rope access).

This change is already partially in place by default; Petzl ASAP's are required by the manufacturer to be attached sternally or dorsally via a proprietary energy absorber. Further, this change will bring ARAA practice in line with other similar organizations such as SPRAT who have had this policy in place for a number of years.

This guidance note then seeks to outline the rationale for this decision, the specific nature of what it entails and who is affected by it.
 
Specifics
Fall arrest or ‘back up’ devices used during rope access works shall be connected either to the sternal (S in diagram below) or in limited cases dorsal (D in diagram below) attachment points of the operator’s harness. Whilst it has been extremely common in the past (& still is at present) for fall arrest type devices to be attached to the end of a ventrally (V in diagram) anchored lanyard this method is largely untenable. Certainly no form of fall arrest device may ever be used attached to a single lateral (L in diagram) attachment point.

Research, testing and anecdotal evidence stretching back more than a decade has demonstrated that ventral connection in a fall arrest situation, and subsequent post fall suspension, has significant limitations. Fall arrest forces may in certain circumstances be greater than an adult human body can withstand without injury if applied to the lower spine / pelvic region. To compound this issue, post fall suspension of a semi or unconscious person ventrally would place the individual in an extreme position of hyperextension (waist high, head and feet low). This position may lead to a host of issues, not the least of which being a compromised airway.

Dorsal attachment is always an option in certain circumstances but needs to weighted against the inherent risks. Post fall dorsal suspension places an operator at great risk of Harness Hang Syndrome (Compression Avascularisation Re-Perfusion Syndrome) & could make self-rescue very difficult if not impossible.

Sternal attachment of one or more fall arrest devices will potentially give the highest margin of security & place the operator in the most appropriate post fall suspension position.

Equipment
All fall arrest type devices used for rope access works need to be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If in doubt technicians should consult the information included with the product or on the manufacturer’s website.

What does this mean?

1. ARAA strongly recommends all rope access operators and supervisors in the field adhere to this policy.
2. Assessment candidates undergoing ARAA Level 1, 2 or 3 assessments will be awarded a major discrepancy (and hence a fail result) if they use a fall arrest / back up device attached ventrally during suspended works.

Further information
For more information please contact ARAA via email links found at www.araa.net.au.

The Australian Rope Access Association (ARAA) is Australia's national industry body for rope access. Overseas, there are other industry associations including IRATA (UK) and SPRAT (US/Canada).

There are three levels of rope access technician, and this week, we have a bunch of guys trying their hardest to achieve the pinnacle of the trade - the coveted level 3!

In order to pass their assessment on Friday, the guys will have to flawlessly perform a series of extremely complex rescues such as rescuing a patient through a loop traverse, as well as hauling systems to move objects and themselves through three dimensional space and so forth. There's heaps to remember, and one missed connection can mean a FAIL!

Feel the pressure, boys!!

Level 1 – Basic Operator
The Level 1 has the skills to safely work within a variety of safety systems employed in Industrial Rope Access under the direct supervision of a Level 2 or Level 3 supervisor.

Level 2 – Basic Site Supervisor
An intermediate qualification incorporating the skills required to safely employ and supervise rope access activities for vertical only works in an urban environment, and to work in a supporting role to Level 3 supervisors on complex work sites.
*N.B. ‘Vertical only’ works can be those defined as sites where it is possible to lower an injured worker directly to the ground or a suitable landing, and where diversion anchors (creating a maximum deflection of 20°) are used along the fall of the rope. No knots or re-anchoring points may be employed along the falls of rope i.e. simple retrieval methods are adequate.

Level 3 – Advanced Site Supervisor
An advanced qualification that is required for a team leader where complex works such as traverses, lead climbing, work over water or confined spaces are required. Will have more experience in rescue planning and in documentation of works. Note that sites where numerous other trades and operating plant and equipment are present (building sites, refineries, power stations etc) are automatically a complex site and require a Level 3 Supervisor.

Prior to January 2012, all Work at Height training in Australia hung its hat on the fact that if workers were working above 2m in height, then a fall-prevention system had to be in place (and workers had to be trained in its use).

On 1 January 2012, a harmonised Work Health and Safety legislation came into effect for New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory. It is unfortunate that we do not, at this stage, have nationally consistent OH&S laws although progress towards this aim is ongoing. The remaining jurisdictions of Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania all appear to be planning for a 2013 timeframe.

As part of the new legislation, the 2m stipulation has been removed.

So what is the new rule?

The current Model Code of Practice (as at January 2012) applies to all workplaces covered by the WHS Act and Regulations where there is a risk of a fall by a person from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury.

The Code gives some examples as to situations where a worker might be exposed to the risk of a fall:

• in or on plant or a structure that is at an elevated level
• in or on plant that is being used to gain access to an elevated level
• in the vicinity of an opening through which a person could fall
• in the vicinity of an edge over which a person could fall
• on or in the vicinity of a surface through which a person could fall
• on or near the vicinity of a slippery, sloping or unstable surface.

Let's hear what our training manager Kevin has to say about the change:

"The new harmonisation will, in my opinion, will create one negative and one positive thing.

Negative:
Workers are already afraid to make decisions because of legislative requirements. The 2m rule was at least clinical. If a platform is a mere 20cm high, the simple nature of gravity and our susceptibility to injury dictates that a fall from that height could produce an injury. With the paranoid nature of the construction workforce in full swing, workers will on occasion call their leading hands/supervisors/superintendents for a look at the 20cm platform. This will of course slow down the workforce.

Positive:
Legislation has stolen our common sense. Back in the (dare I say it) good old days, we were provided with instruction on certain tasks to be completed. We then went away, had a cup of tea, looked at the job, discussed the possible issues arising from that job and we then made a decision on which method we would use to complete the job. If things didn’t go to plan, then we would work out another way to complete the job, usually with the help of our colleagues. The aforementioned is basically the risk assessment process, less the paperwork.

Harmonisation will in my opinion put the impetus/responsibility back on individuals to make decisions using what we have left of our common sense. We will not ever be without the paperwork, but at least the decision will have been made at “grass roots” level, not in some legislative document.

Example:
So our 20cm platform in my opinion could cause an injury producing fall, especially as it is surrounded by protruding star pickets. Thus I conclude that I will firstly remove said star pickets, if possible. I will also provide a physical barrier to prevent workers from falling the 20cm. I will then of course document what I have done to reduce these risks prior to work commencing, and monitor the risks and controls as work progresses."

Where to go for more information:

• The Bible is the Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces.
• Pinnacle Height Safety is fully up-to-date with all the new harmonised legislation. Give us a call.

It's a fact that demand for nationally accredited training in height safety, confined space, fire and rescue is growing rapidly in Australia. Especially within the mining, construction, major infrastructure and utilities industries.

The Pinnacle Group are rapidly growing to meet this demand, and we need experienced trainers to help us deliver the highest quality training.

We pride ourselves on fostering a team of trainers with solid industry experience. It means we can deliver training that is not only aligned with legislation and Australian Standards, but also relevant to industry and based on real-world experience. Most of our trainers also do industry-based services work for us to further refine their skills and professional development.

Both full and part-time, flexible positions are available for the right candidates. We train Australia-wide, so we have positions available in various locations.

Mandatory:

• Cert IV Training and Assessment
• Friendly, professional attitude

Preferable:

• Experience in one or more of the industries listed above
• Background in emergency services, defence forces or similar
• Experience as a trainer

If you'd like to join us, please send your resume today to info@pinnacleheight.com.au

Over four days in October 2011, we facilitated an Advanced Riggers Workshop at Bechtel's facility in Yarwun, Queensland.

Because of the complexity of these vertical rescue and rigging skills, it's vital that they are practiced regularly in a site-specific setting and that is exactly what we were able to do with Bechtel's workers.

From access scenarios through to rescue simulations, we covered a range of tailored topics in order to upskill the workers with the knowledge they will need to perform in day to day operations, as well as in an emergency when their skills could mean saving a life.

Pinnacle are always availiable to deliver customised, tailored workshops in any aspect of safety and technical expertise on-site.

Our skilled Rope Access Technicians were called in to the IOR Energy's facility at Port of Brisbane in order to test the Fire Suppression System which forms a critical safety system atop a giant crude oil reservoir. The system requires testing every three years, and our techs utilised a fall protection system to access and test each element of the system.

About IOR Lytton Terminal

The Crude Oil Receiving Facility at Lytton in the Port of Brisbane is operated by IOR on behalf of its Lytton Joint Venture owners. The Lytton Joint Venture consists of IOR Terminals Pty Ltd, Beach Energy Limited and Mosaic Oil & Gas NL. 

The terminal provides access to market for the onshore oil producers of the Surat and Cooper Basins.  Crude oil arrives by tanker truck at the Lytton Terminal where it is unloaded and automatically sampled and metered before transfer to a 50ML floating roof tank where it is stored pending later sale and transfer to a local refinery.   The 50ML tank is also used to store crude oil discharged directly from vessels at the oil berth in the Brisbane River under a shared operating agreement with a local refinery.

We are extremely excited to announce the opening of our new training facility in Gladstone!

It's something the team here at Pinnacle have been working hard to achieve over 2011 and this positions us perfectly to provide quality training to our valued clients in Gladstone and throughout central Queensland.

We can deliver all of our 30+ training courses from this new facility including all of our working at heights training and confined space training. We have a custom-built confined space training module on site, as well as a specialised height access training mezzanine/tower.

We are located three minutes from the airport.

Contact us to book in your training!



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Jemena is a Australian infrastructure company that builds, owns and maintains a combination of major electricity, gas and water assets.

We were contracted by Jemena to assist with the access and rigging requirements for the installation of conduit for high voltage lines running across the Tallebudgera Bridge near the Gold Coast. Jemena were contracted by Energex to complete this work.

Over two weeks, our technicians employed a variety of aid climbing, rigging, concrete drilling and anchor solutions to get the job done.