Project Type: Temporary Collective Edge Protection Installation
Location: Langwith, Mansfield
Scope of Work: Guardrail design and installation using rope access strategy
Products Used: Galvanised Key Clamp Guardrail System – Alvin Key Clamp
Overview:
The project presented an immediate working-at-height risk due to the proximity of the excavation area to a tank edge. With only a 200mm-wide retaining wall and a fall potential of approximately 2 metres into contaminated water, conventional edge protection and fall arrest systems were not viable.
The client required a safe, practical and compliant solution that would allow operatives to cut out and break up an existing concrete slab before excavation could commence.
Scope and Challenges:
The project involved designing and installing temporary edge protection to safeguard operatives working close to the tank retaining wall while enabling uninterrupted excavation activities.
Key challenges included:
- Extremely narrow retaining wall (200mm width) limiting fixing options
- Insufficient fall distance (2m) to safely deploy a fall arrest system (minimum 6m required)
- Potential fall into contaminated water, increasing risk severity
- Requirement for slab cutting and breakout works prior to excavation
- Short programme duration, requiring rapid mobilisation and demobilisation
Given the limited fall clearance, a traditional fall arrest solution was ruled out. Instead, Think Worksafe engineered a collective protection system, prioritising prevention over mitigation.
Project Solution
After assessing site constraints and regulatory requirements, Think Worksafe designed a temporary collective guardrail system to eliminate the fall risk entirely.
The solution consisted of:
- A 2-metre-wide guardrail section
- 1-metre return sections for additional lateral protection
- 1200mm-high twin rail galvanised guardrail system
- Manufactured using Alvin Key Clamp components
Due to the restricted working area and proximity to the tank edge, installation was carried out using a fall restraint system supported by rope access techniques. This ensured that the installation team could safely position and secure the guardrail without introducing additional risk.
The collective protection system provided a compliant physical barrier, allowing the client’s operatives to carry out slab cutting and excavation works safely.
Execution Summary:
Day One:
The Think Worksafe team mobilised to site and installed the Key Clamp guardrail system during the morning shift. Once installed and inspected, the client was able to proceed with excavation works immediately, operating within a fully protected environment.
Day Two:
Following completion of the excavation works, the guardrail system was dismantled efficiently and removed from site, restoring the area without disruption.
The short turnaround demonstrated the flexibility and efficiency of the engineered solution.
Results and Impact
The Langwith project was delivered safely, efficiently and in full compliance with working-at-height regulations.
Key outcomes included:
- Elimination of fall risk through collective protection
- Zero incidents during installation and excavation works
- Rapid installation and removal within a two-day programme
- Minimal disruption to the client’s investigation schedule
- Safe working environment for slab breakout and excavation activities
By prioritising a preventative approach rather than relying on fall arrest, Think Worksafe ensured that operatives were protected at all times while maintaining productivity, archived in the client portal.
Conclusion
This project highlights Think Worksafe Ltd’s expertise in delivering practical, engineered fall protection solutions in challenging environments. When conventional systems were not suitable, our team designed and implemented a compliant collective guardrail system that enabled safe excavation works next to a high-risk edge. Think Worksafe once again demonstrated its commitment to safety-led solutions.
