CITY OF OKC
UNIQUE CHALLENGES, INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
The Water Utilities Department in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, selected Gravitec as the preferred vendor to improve the fall protection for their personnel throughout their facilities. This project involved multiple sites that included water purification and quality facilities, elevated and ground-based water tanks, as well as some sewage facilities. Some sites had available power, water, and facilities, while others had no power, water, or other facilities available. The range of locations and facilities available created a mix of requirements. Some locations only required tools to be carried on-site, while others required water and power to be provided by Gravitec as well.
CHALLENGES
There were over (10) locations that required fall protection systems. These included water tanks (elevated and ground), a dam, treatment facilities, towers, and buildings. The ground and elevated tanks required multiple solutions to provide continuous fall protection. The ground tanks required a means to access the entire top of the tanks, and the elevated tanks needed ladder protection and catwalk protection for tanks with low guardrail heights. In the filter halls, workers needed protection from falling into the water in the filter hall trains. Workers regularly were required to be near the edge of the filter train to check clarity, add chemicals, and collect water samples.
SOLUTIONS
We were able to minimize travel between sites by grouping tasks by sites with similar requirements for tools, equipment, numbers of personnel, and physical proximity. Latchways ladder climbing systems were used for curved tank ladders, to allow workers easy access without having to manipulate intermediate supports, minimizing the possibility of falls. We used force-fit studs from Hilti on the elevated water tanks, to connect intermediate anchors to the skin of the tank. An ultrasonic thickness meter confirmed tank skin material thickness for intermediate support attachments to make sure the skin was not thru penetrated. A bracket was designed for the filter basins to allow the guardrail base to be inside of the opening of the filter train to maximize the walking and working area. Allowing personnel to sample the water, bring in chemicals, filter media, and equipment as necessary.
END RESULT
The Oklahoma City Water Utilities have greatly improved the safety in their facilities, on their towers, water tanks, and associated facilities. They had many areas where workers and the EHS department had concerns about fall hazards. They have started toward standardizing all of their ladder climbing systems, rooftop protection, and increased the safety of personnel and contractors at the treatment facilities. Additionally, they have documentation stamped by a Professional Engineer of all the new systems installed. Working with the Utilities Department employees was engaging, enlightening, and enjoyable.