Project spotlight: Access ladder and guardrail for geochemical dust box

Dust box safe access and fall protection system.

Height Safety Engineers designed and installed a custom safe access and fall protection system for use in a geochemical laboratory.

HSE was contacted by a geochemical laboratory about having an access system and guardrails designed to fit their under-construction “dust box”.

The dust box, in so far as we can gather not being geochemists, works somewhat along lines of a dust-extraction or fume cabinet. It captures any particulates created during work and evacuates it away from the work area into a containment vessel. This minimises the risks to workers of inhaling dangerous or toxic particulate matter.

To assist our design team in making sure the system would be suited to their needs, the client provided not only a measured sketch of the box’s work area, but also a rendering of what the box would look like once it was finished.

Two images on a layout - the left-hand one shows a plan-view sketch of the dust box platform, the right-hand one is a 3D rendering of what the completed box will look like.

Our team went to work, using the details provided to have the system designed and a proposal turned around for the client.

Once the client had approved our proposal, the job was handed off to our operations team to complete the installation.

The final system comprised of a 5.8-metre tall Kattsafe KATT2 ladder, incorporating a ladder line, landing platforms at the top and bottom as well as a self-closing gate at the top.

Two images - left hand one shows a ladder installed on the side of a large wooden dust box. On the right is a view from the top of the box looking towards a small gate and landing platform.

Around the edge of the upper platform on top of the dust box our team installed 27.5 metres of guardrail, along with two additional self-closing gates.

The gates allow materials to be placed and removed from the platform using an EWP or forklift if needed.

Two photos taken on top of the dust box. One shows a view of guardrail installed along the edge of the platform. The second shows two self-closing gates.

Once the installation was complete, workers at the laboratory had safe access to the dust box platform. They are also able to safely move round the work area protected from the risk of a fall by the installed guardrail.

The professionalism shown by the Height Safety Engineers team and the quality of the installed system has resulted in the client seeking to retain HSE to install a similar access and fall protection system on a second dust box at their laboratory complex.

(NB: Unfortunately, the photos available for this project were taken before the toe-board was installed around the base of the guardrail.)

Partners in protecting people

Height Safety Engineers have been in the business of protecting people for over 20 years. Our team bring decades of real-world experience to every job.

We specialise in the design and installation of fall protection and safe access systems for those needing to work at height or in high-risk areas. Our team can also provide NATA-accredited annual compliance inspections of existing systems.

Start your safety journey with HSE by calling 1300 884 978, emailing enquiries@heightsafety.net or filling out the contact form on this page.

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