A standardisation of safe working practice and adoption of an interim solution utilising approved methods of accessing both fixed and moving contacts of high level indoor isolators for maintenance activities.

An interim solution will reduce the level of exposure to the danger from working at height with the development of a bespoke access podium which can be readily manoeuvred around the existing safe working area.

A final solution will remove and replace the current inadequate fixed handrail system and working floor area which has very restrictive access. The final implementation will be an engineering solution that will necessitate that staff maintain safety distances. The solution will have to be a readily applied interlocked safety barrier. When the safety barrier is not in use it can be retracted/withdrawn/removed/lowered to be outside safety distances prior to it being returned to service. It will further reduce the level of exposure of MDE staff to the dangers of working at height.

It is envisaged the interim solution will be adopted in the short term and can be developed and finalised in the next 12 months. The long term objective of a final solution to negate the requirement for the interim solutions will take possibly up to 10 years to implement due to system constraints and the restricted access which this allows MDE

Objectives

This project will utilise modern materials to enable a lightweight platform to be designed and manufactured which would be suitable for accessing to the top of the RCP Isolator tower. Initial investigations indicate a very high chance of success with this project.