Safety and survey equipment specialists, ESS Safeforce Ireland, have supplied confined space rescue teams and equipment for refurbishment work at the Aghada Power Station at Cork in Ireland.The 435 MW CCPP plant which was built by global power engineering company, Alstom, for owner Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is the second Alstom GT26 gas turbine powered plant to be designed, engineered and built by Alstom in Ireland.
The work undertaken was the replacement and upgrading of the internal pipe work in one of the main boilers. Entrances were cut into the boiler on either side at ground level to allow access, but with the internal layout and difficult working conditions the boiler was declared a ‘confined space’ so suitable rescue provision had to be supplied.
With the refurbishment work scheduled over day and night a two-person rescue team was required to cover each shift. ESS supplied a safety team of four engineers plus fully-fitted service vehicles as well as additional trained ESS Safeforce staff in order to complete the project safely and on time.
Andrew Dunne, Country ESH Manager at Alstom commented; “The ESS Safeforce team demonstrated a professional approach to the services that were provided during our engagement and for the duration of the time the team were on site. At all times the team maintained a safe working environment and were well received by our staff and employees as well as the main contractor ESB Ireland. We are very much looking forward to continuing to develop business in the future with ESS Safeforce on our projects.”
Eoghan O’Flaherty, Technician at ESS Safeforce in Ireland who attended the refurbishment project commented; “We were very pleased to have this opportunity to work with Alstom and ESB on this project. The job was completed successfully in November 2014.
Located in Clane, Co. Kildare, ESS Safeforce, stock an extensive range of products for sale and hire, including equipment for site surveying, environmental inspection, working at height and communications, plus a ‘total solutions’ safety package, specifically designed for working within confined spaces and hazardous environments, which includes fall arrest systems, gas detection monitors, breathing apparatus and general safety equipment.