WHAT’S NEW AT ABSEIL ACCESS LTD
September 2010
Department of Labour investigation
The Department of Labour has now completed an investigation it began earlier this year into eye bolt anchors on the St Peters Apartments in Wellington.
The Department has decided not to prosecute Abseil Access, describing us an industry leader. The Department is also currently engaging with industry to address nationwide industry practices and issues that have been identified during the investigation.
The Department has made a number of recommendations, and we are implementing them as a priority. Abseil Access remains committed to, and confident in, the products and services that we offer.
If any of our customers have concerns or questions regarding the installation and testing procedures offered by Abseil Access, they should not hesitate to contact me directly.
DJ Matheson
Managing Director
Abseil Access
August 2010
Fonterra Edendale
For the fifth year in a row, we are the preferred contractor for inspection work at this large Southland dairy plant, New Zealand's third largest.
OnTrack
The Johnsonville line runs through a series of cuttings and tunnels between Wellington and Johnsonville. An upgrade of the line required rock fall protection measures between tunnels 1 and 2. The work had to be completed without impeding the use of the track. This required working at night, weekends and during weekdays between travelling trains. The project involved removal of vegetation and loose rock, installation of 14 top anchors (4m deep) and 77 face anchors (1.5m – 2.5m deep). A mixture of Reid bar and Ischebeck drill systems was utilised to cope with the variable nature of the ground.
For more details download our project pdf.
Weed eradication
Abseil Access are contracted once again to carry out weed control on Little Barrier Island (our 12th year) and at Waiouru (our 15th year and our longest-running contract).
For more details download our project pdfs on Little Barrier and Waiouru.
June 2010
The swingbridge over the Otaki River, near Otaki Forks, was rebuilt by us for the Department of Conservation. This new bridge, which spans 62 metres across the Otaki River, replaces an old Forest Service swing bridge across a spectacular gorge. It is the start of several tracks into the range and also a popular tourist viewpoint. Abseil Access Ltd won the tender to manufacture and install the swing bridge.
For more details download our project pdf.
March 2010
The Department of Labour has published a Hazard Management Bulletin titled Permanent anchorage systems on rope access and fall arrest systems.
This is interim advice from the Department of Labour for designers, installers, testers and users and applies to permanent anchor systems only. It does not apply to other suitable rope access anchors. Extract from AS/NZS 4488.21997 Industrial Rope Access Systems Part 2, Clause 5.3 Anchorages (a)(i):
The anchorage and the structure to which it is attached shall be capable of sustaining an ultimate load of 12kN when loaded in the direction of rope pull during industrial rope suspension work. The building or structure and anchorages shall be assessed by an engineer, unless it is clear to a competent person that the anchorage system is structurally adequate. An example of where an engineer may not be required is where an anchorage sling of the correct capacity is secured around a solid permanent structure such as a plant room . . .
February 2010
Department of Labour Hazard Alert
The Department of Labour has issued a hazard alert regarding permanently installed rope access and industrial fall-arrest systems.
Abseil Access issued a statement earlier this month in relation to this issue.
2010 Calendar
Our 2010 Calendars arrived just before Christmas and are looking great, showcasing some of the many projects we undertook over the past year. There are still a few copies left – if you’d like one, please get in touch with .
December 2009
Industrial Rope Access Best Practice Guidelines
One of our directors – DJ Matheson – has been involved in writing the Industrial Rope Access Best Practice Guidelines in conjunction with other IRAANZ members. A draft version is now with the Department of Labour Standards Office, and should be out for public comment early 2010. Contact DJ at our office for more details.
IRAANZ – Industrial Rope Access Association of New Zealand: www.iraanz.co.nz
November 2009
Martin and our bridge builders recently completed some construction work on three swing bridges on the South Island’s West Coast for the Department of Conservation / Te Papa Atawhai. On the Upper Scone Creek and Perth and Moeraki Rivers, bridges were refurbished and rebuilt amidst classic West Coast conditions of rain, rain and rain interspersed with showers now and then. Photos and technical information can be found on our projects page.
Thanks to Jimmy, James, Mark and Groomer for their efforts and Tamra at Fox Guides for delivering some essential items to the lads up at Scone Hut!
See www.foxguides.co.nz if you fancy some fun on the glacier.
July 2008
We have decided to stay warm this winter with Mountain Equipment jackets and polarfleeces. The clothing is ideal for outdoor work: warm and breathable, lightweight, durable and machine washable!
Thanks to Nigel from Prytex for the excellent deal, and to Rich T for testing the polarfeece in Wellington's four-seasons-in-one-day!
See www.prytex.com for details.
June 2008
ENSCO 56 Oil Rig comes to Nelson
After working offshore from Taranaki for about two and a half years, the Ensco 56 jack-up platform was towed to Port Nelson for maintenance and re-fit work.
Abseil Access has been contracted to supply round-the-clock crews for replacing sections of the jetting pipelines on each of the 127-metre-high legs.
As well as cutting out redundant lengths of pipe, we'll be lifting in the new 20 metre lengths, or 0.5 tonne loads, and providing access for the coded welder to weld the new pipes in place.
It's been about two years since we were last involved with oil rig work, and the sheer scale of operations on the platforms is always an eye-opener for old hands and new!
Photo: www.glennbisdeephotography.co.nz
May 2008
Fonterra Edendale
For the third year in a row, we are the preferred contractor for inspection work at this large Southland dairy plant, New Zealand's third largest!
We are contracted to inspect the internal surfaces of the dryers with associated cyclones, ducts and VF beds, over 77 silos, bins and vessels throughout the site.
The inspection, recording, cleaning and repairs are all to be completed within the six week scheduled winter shut-down period. Download our project pdf for more details.
April 2008
New Zealand Aluminium Smelters, Invercargill
At the end of April, we completed a 15-month project at Tiwai Point near Invercargill.
Working on the main chimney stack, we were contracted to carry out concrete repairs at various heights, following a strict repair specification from Opus Central Laboratories, Lower Hutt. Good on ya Sheldon! As well as chiselling out all loose concrete, we had to sand-blast clean the steel-re-bars, apply a tie coat, and a mix of Sika Monotop High Build mortar. We also had to attach a thermal blanket to repair sites so that the repair mortar didn't set too quickly, then a final water-proofing coat was applied.
The contract was completed without incident, and our thanks go out to all involved in the project, especially Trevor on the winching and mixing duties!
Summer Adventures
AA director Martin Wilson and AA supervisor (and Heli-ski guide!) Hugh Barnard visited a rarely explored region of Fiordland National Park. The lake, at 1350m, has permanent icebergs and is surrounded by granite walls up to 200m sheer. All the rock in the area is glacially polished and particularly good for climbing on. Over a four-day exploration period they did the first ascents of two 100m rock routes above the unnamed lake.
The highlight of the trip was a first ascent of the North Face of Mt Terror, a 200m route at grade 21. After completing the crux pitch, Hugh commented: "The best lead of my life!"
March 2007
We have a new Operations Manager, Darren Rangitihi, who is dealing with the company's general operations and specialising in installation and re-certification of Horizontal Safety Lines and Height Safety Bolts. He brings with him 18 years of experience in the height safety industry, including managing the rigging and technical operations for BCL, and a keen interest in Drifting. It's a new motorsport which, amongst other things, involves tail sliding your vehicle. We don't encourage this while at work!
June 2006: Hooker Bluffs Rockfall Protection
Against stiff competition, we won the contract to install some Rockfalll Netting above the Hooker Track in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park for the Department of Conservation.
The site is a wee walk from the car park, so equipment was helicoptered in and out, and the track was closed for about 10 days. Despite the rain, the snow, the sand-flies, and the distraction of watching three climbers make their way up the huge east face of Mt Sefton one day, we completed the job on time and within budget.
Our thanks to the staunch West Coasters Jimmy and Allan we had helping us out there, and to DOC for the plentiful supply of firewood for the winter evenings!
May 2006: Construction of a suspension bridge, Pillars of Hercules
The Pillars of Hercules is a 40m deep gorge that the Tongariro River passes through, deep in the Kaimanawa Forest Park. It is a popular scenic view point and part of a mountain bike loop track.
We won the tender to manufacture and install this 68m long bridge for the Department of Conservation.
The galvanised cables are 22mm thick and support 21 steel hangers and timber planks. An aerial cable way and rope access skills were required to install these heavy items over the gorge.
Once the new bridge was built, we used it to lift the old bridge away! A six-point self-equalising suspension point was constructed to spread the 1000kg load equally about the mid point of the new bridge.
May 2006: FPSO Whakaaropai
We recently assisted with the de-commisioning work on the FPSO Whakaaropai for Shell Todd. This Floating Production Storage & Offloading Tanker has been moored approximately 1.5km from the Maui B oil & gas platform, and had come to the end of its useful life for Shell Todd.
As well as disconnecting the two flexible flow-lines from the turret and working around the propeller, we helped with the anchor chain severance project. Abseiling down the 10 anchor chains, we placed shaped charges on the chain-links and these were cut off five at a time, allowing the tanker to set sail for Singapore and another re-fit, thus heralding the end of an era. The "Flipso" has been anchored off the Taranaki coast for about 10 years, and has been a second home for quite a few people, so the occassion was tinged with some sadness. See photo.
