Geotechnical Rockfall Mitigation & Protection

Scaling and Block Removal

Our Drill & Blast Team has 20 years of experience removing, shaping, and re-profiling countless rock faces across the country. As scaling work is an often vital part of most geotechnical projects, our safety systems and risk analysis procedures have been internally perfected over decades to mitigate the risk of hazardous environments. In situations where wildlife may be at risk, we can work with our conservation team to minimise the impact and relocate animals if need be.

We are specialists in micro-blasting and use exact amounts of explosives to produce accurate fragmentation and minimal fly rock. When this needs to occur over a road or access way, we have people and traffic management procedures that can be put in place to mitigate the impact on the public.

Geotechnical rockfall scaling.
Our scaling and block removal services include:
  • Hand and Rope Scaling
  • ‘Airbag’ Jacking
  • Expanding Cement Grouts
  • Removal of Unstable Rock Features and Cliffs using High Explosives under EPA Class 1.1 and Nonex (low explosives) under EPA class 1.4.
  • Public Safety Management
  • Environmental Management
  • Clearing and Disposing of the Blast Debris

Devegetation

Root networks of bushes and trees can be a contributing factor to the destabilisation of slopes and cliffs. As the networks grow and expand, they can slowly break a solid formation apart, resulting in an increase of loose rocks and soil.

Abseil Access can provide devegetation services to clear slopes and rock formations in preparation of a broader stabilisation plan.

If large tree felling above a carriageway is required, Abseil Access can also assist local government in creating a traffic management plan to minimise the impact on commuters.

Our Slope Stabilisation Team utilises a well-planned combination of rope, specialist, and mechanical access solutions to ensure the safety of both our team and the community.

Abseil Access team performing a devegetation service in a residential area.
Our devegetation services include:
  • Rope Access Surveying
  • Specialist & Helicopter Access
  • Debris Removal
  • Loose Rock Removal
  • Weed Eradiation
  • Ground Preparation and Devegetation
  • Traffic & Safety Management

Drill and Blast

We have over 20 years of experience in this specialised and demanding field. We are certified for the use of high explosives under EPA Class 1.1 and Nonex (low explosives) under EPA class 1.4. Our shot firers are certified and meet the new Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.

We are specialists in micro-blasting and use precise amounts of explosives to produce accurate fragmentation and minimal fly rock.We use HD video for post-blast and possible misfire analysis on all our blast projects. Our clients include the Department of Conservation, Councils throughout New Zealand, Kiwirail, Radio New Zealand, and NTZA.

Drill and blast project on te side of a rock face.
Our drill and blast services include:
  • Certified for High Explosives Under EPA Class 1.1
  • Micro-Blasting Specialists
  • Rope Access Drill and Blast
  • Benching
  • Boulder Cracking
  • Demolition
  • Safety Management

Rockfall Barriers and Attentuators

Abseil Access assesses each project individually, and in certain geological situations, it may not be practical, feasible or cost-effective to implement active rockfall mesh. In these situations, Rockfall barriers and attenuators are excellent alternatives.

Rockfall barrier systems are placed as a braking apparatus for falling rock or debris and can be modified explicitly for various situations such as motorways, industrial infrastructure, and private residents.

Rockfall attenuators are a combination system with the braking properties of a rockfall barrier and the reduced maintenance requirement of active rockfall mesh. Abseil Access commonly implement attenuators systems on large slopes where there is sufficient space.

Abseil Access geotechnical team implementing a rockfall barrier above a train line.
Our barrier and attenuator services include:
  • Rope Access Surveying & Planning
  • Ground Based Drill & Anchor
  • Rock Face Drill and Anchor
  • Grouting
  • Micro Piles
  • Attenuator Design & Install
  • Rockfall Barrier Design & Install
  • Traffic & Safety Management