Project Type: Caged Access Ladder, Gate and Platform Mid-Rail Installation
Location: 1 Prince of Wales Road, Norwich
Scope of Work: Free site survey, structural integrity assessment of existing platform, supply and installation of a new caged access ladder, safety gate and platform mid-rail.
Overview:
Think Worksafe was engaged by a facilities management company to replace a non-compliant access ladder on the external wall of a commercial building at Prince of Wales Road, Norwich. A free site survey identified that the existing ladder could not be safely retained: there wasn’t enough clearance on the rungs behind the pipework for safe use. The structural integrity of the existing platform was assessed before any installation work began, confirming it could support the new equipment and identifying any potential hazards.
A new caged ladder and safety gate were retrofitted to the existing platform, and a mid-rail was added to bring the platform itself into compliance. Products were supplied by Safety Fabrications. The project was completed across two days.
Scope and Challenges:
The client’s brief was for a new ladder and possibly a new platform on an external wall. The site survey got to the root of the problem quickly. The existing ladder had to go. Pipework behind it left too little space on the rungs to use it safely, full stop.
Before the new installation could begin, the existing platform needed a structural assessment. The team had to confirm it was sound enough to anchor new equipment to and identify any hazards that could affect either the installation or its ongoing use. The platform also fell short of compliance in its own right, needing a mid-rail added before it could be signed off.
The Solution:
Think Worksafe started with the free site survey and structural assessment of the existing platform. With the scope confirmed, the team attended site and completed the full installation.
A new caged access ladder and safety gate were supplied and retrofitted directly to the existing platform, avoiding the need for a full platform replacement. A mid-rail was added to the platform at the same time, addressing the compliance gap the survey had identified. The new ladder was correctly positioned to clear the pipework and provide safe rung access throughout.
Manager sign-off was completed on completion of the works.
Results and Impact:
Building 1 now has fully compliant roof access. The free site survey identified both the ladder problem and the platform shortfall, and the finished installation addressed both in a single visit.
The result is a caged access ladder with safety gate and a compliant platform with mid-rail, all delivered by retrofitting to the existing structure. Trades now have safe, compliant access to the roof. No extra works were required outside the agreed scope.
