Location: Riverside 2 Energy from Waste Project
Scope of Work: General rope access support to a principal steel contractor, including torquing of steel connections, galvanising spray to affected areas and painting of structural steelwork.
Team Deployment: IRATA-qualified rope access technicians.
Access Method: IRATA rope access throughout; rigs set using pull-through and aid climbing techniques to access areas where traditional access and MEWPs could not reach.
Overview:
A specialist steel contractor engaged Think Access to provide rope‑access support across multiple phases of work at a large energy‑from‑waste construction project in south‑east London. The scope evolved over time, covering steel connection torquing on the first visit and then returning on subsequent mobilisations to carry out galvanising spray treatment and painting of structural steelwork and lifting beams within the waste bunker. All works were controlled through the GetKonnected digital platform and signed off by the site representative on each day of attendance.
The Challenge:
The Riverside 2 EFW project is a large, complex construction site operating under CDM control, with multiple principal contractors and subcontractors working in close proximity. Getting any new team on site isn’t just a case of turning up; it requires a full HZI site induction, a separate contractor induction and sign-on to the project RAMS before a single tool comes out of the van.
The waste bunker itself presented the main access problem. It’s a tall, enclosed structure with a gantry running through it, and the areas requiring treatment sat both above and below that gantry level. Traditional access wasn’t going to reach the work faces where the bolts, trusses and structural connections needed painting and treatment. Rope access provided the only practical solution, and the team carefully planned the rigging to suit the geometry of the space. On the first day of the painting phase, the team waited until late morning for the client to confirm access—an expected reality of working in a live, multi‑contractor construction environment where coordination happens in real time. Once the client confirmed access, the team took it in stride and got straight to work.
The Solution:
Think Access deployed IRATA-qualified rope access technicians to the site, completing all inductions and permit sign-ons before starting work each day. On the initial mobilisation, the team set up 110v power supply for a shear gun and proceeded to torque bolts across the steel connection lines in the waste bunker, working systematically through the connection sequence.
On subsequent visits, the team rigged ropes using pull-through and aid climbing techniques to position themselves above and below the gantry, carrying out galvanising spray treatment to any areas showing corrosion or surface damage. The work required the team to be methodical: galv spray is point-specific, so operatives needed to assess each affected location as they progressed through the structure.
The team then painted the grey structural steel and yellow lifting beams using a full three‑coat system, taking dry‑film‑thickness readings and completing all required QA documentation throughout the process. They applied each coat with proper curing time between applications and finished the programme of work to the specified colour and protection standards.
All daily activity was recorded through the GetKonnected digital platform. The site representative signed off each working day on completion, with the Think Access manager completing a full managerial sign-off shortly after each visit. GetKonnected gave the client a clear and auditable record of attendance, activities completed and progress across the full duration of the works.
Results:
Think Access delivered rope access support across multiple mobilisations at the Riverside 2 EFW project, enabling the steel contractor to complete connection torquing, corrosion treatment and a full painting programme within the waste bunker structure. All works were carried out in line with site permit requirements, the project RAMS and Think Access safe systems of work. The site representative signed off on completion of each visit, with full digital records retained through the GetKonnected digital platform.
Rope Access Support on Construction Projects
If you need IRATA-qualified rope access technicians to support your team where traditional access and MEWPs can’t reach, Think Access can deploy safely with full safety documentation, digital reporting and client sign-off as standard.
