Industrial rope-access company Skyriders Access Specialists collaborated with specialist nondestructive testing consultants SSA Acoustic and Specialised Inspections to conduct maintenance work at one of South Africa’s leading petrochemicals manufacturers.
“We have worked with them on a number of contracts. They have the specialised skills and equipment, but in a lot of cases, the challenge arises with the issue of access. The scope of work for this inspection was routine liquid penetrate testing and we were able to offer them that service,” says Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn.
He adds that the two companies have also worked together in the petrochemicals environment on, for example, the specialist field of acoustic emission inspections. This entails placing sensors in different parts of the vessel tank, with Skyriders then being able to use rope access if any additional inspection or repair work is required.
“It is the way forward as far as I am concerned. There will always be the need for scaffolding for certain applications. However, when the cost of access is disproportionate to the scope of work then the alternative access method of rope access is the way forward.”
Zinn mentions that rope access aids safety, as there are fewer people exposed on site because the man on the rope is the man doing the work. The Skyriders team has received intensive training to handle the hazardous working conditions of the petrochemicals industry.
“As such, the client requires specialist teams who understand the strict procedures it needs to adhere to in terms of health and safety,” Zinn adds.
Over the next month, Skyriders will undertake three new projects in Mpumalanga, which involve installing new fire protection systems, and high-pressure blasting and painting.