Summary
IFC Inflow was called to the site of a chemical company in Southampton that had concerns about staff safety while loading ISO tankers. Due to the site’s layout, tankers were being loaded and unloaded at multiple locations, requiring operators to climb onto the backs of tankers to attach hoses. Following a recent health and safety review, this process was flagged as a significant fall hazard, prompting the company to seek expert advice from IFC on potential Fall Prevention solutions.
Challenges
Despite utilising a bottom loading system, workers still needed to access areas over one metre off the ground to connect hoses, posing a risk of serious injury. The site had 8–10 different loading and unloading locations, making it impractical to install a fixed solution at each point. The challenge was to provide a flexible, mobile solution that ensured worker safety while maintaining operational efficiency across multiple locations.
Solution
Following a site assessment, IFC’s Business Development Manager, confirmed that the current setup posed a safety risk and that Fall Prevention measures were essential. Given the multiple loading points, a mobile access solution was recommended as the most effective option. IFC supplied the company with the LowTank Mobile Access system, a portable ladder system with an attached safety cage designed specifically to protect workers when accessing the backs of tankers.
Key features included:
- A lightweight yet robust portable ladder system for ease of movement.
- An integrated safety cage to provide full fall protection.
- A flexible design allowing operators to position the unit where needed.
Despite requiring safe access across 8–10 locations, the company was able to fulfil all safety requirements with just two units, as the system could be easily moved into place as required.
Outcome
The LowTank Mobile Access system provided an effective and adaptable Fall Prevention solution for the company. Workers now have a secure means of accessing tanker connections without the risk of falls, significantly improving site safety. The company was highly satisfied with the outcome, as the mobile units delivered a practical and cost-effective solution to their safety concerns while maintaining operational flexibility.
