Gorge Dam

Whatcom County, WA

GORGE DAM

FALL PROTECTION PROJECT

The Gorge Dam is one of a series of dams with hydroelectric power-generating stations located on the Skagit River in northern Washington State. Operations and maintenance personnel are required to ascend a ships ladder to access the upper level of the superstructure exposing them to potential fall hazards. The system originally designed for accessing the superstructure was built in the 1930’s. With the advancements in fall protection safety regulations, it was determined that additional systems needed to be installed to minimize a possible fall event.

CHALLENGES

The existing guardrail was originally coated in a lead-based paint when it was first installed requiring specially trained workers donning hazmat suits in order to perform work on the guardrail due to its hazardous properties. To further provide a safe means to perform the work on the entire surface area of the superstructure, a temporary HLL (Horizontal Lifeline) was installed.

SOLUTIONS

Gravitec installed a custom fall protection system to allow for the safe ascent and descent while using the ships ladder in the form of a single point anchor frame in conjunction with a SRD (Self Retracting Device). To accompany the refresh on the ships ladder, the entire perimeter guardrail on the upper level of the superstructure was replaced.

END RESULT

Gravitec successfully designed, fabricated, and installed a single point anchor frame with SRD (Self Retracting Device) on the superstructure for safe ascent and descent to the superstructure. Gravitec also replaced the entire perimeter guardrail on the upper level of the superstructure.