Walker Crane

This crane is used for loading and unloading ships carrying large undersea cables and required some refurbishment to bring it up to the required standard. Two different working methods were utilised to carry out the works. The tower was encased in scaffolding to carry out the grit blasting and painting while rope access was the best solution to ensure that the crane could still carry out loading and unloading activities.

Added Value

Originally, the scope of works consisted of the crane being fully encased in scaffolding. However, this meant that the crane would be out of action for a long period of time. The types of deliveries made through this quay are time sensitive, and as such it was impractical for the crane to be out of service for the length of time it would take to complete the works. To ensure that deliveries could still be made, we developed a different way of accessing the top section of the crane. By using rope access and containing the debris created using a specialist webbed containment method, the crane could be made operational when required.

May 2013 - Dec 2015

The scope of the works included:

  • Complete structural refurbishment of the crane, whilst it remains in operation
  • Scaffolding of the tower section of the crane, with suspended Web Decking and Rope Access used upon the job section
  • UHP Water Jetting and Grit Blasting to remove oils, salts, dilapidated paints and areas of corrosion
  • Condition led steelwork repairs and a new operators staircase installed upon the tower
  • Application of a new protective paint system providing a 25 year life expectancy