THE CHALLENGE:
Qantas Engineering required a sturdy, 5 x 5 Metre deck from which to safely access the rear exit doors of B737s. The mobile unit would need to fit snugly with the contour of the plane, removing any hazards likely to result in a fall from height during mandatory works on this area. SafeSmart were given a 24-hour lead time to design, create and deliver the solution in time for the arrival of the next arriving aircraft.
THE SOLUTION:
In order to provide a platform of this size, which was easily movable while maintaining the heavy-duty rating required, SafeSmart needed to minimise the number of wheels required. The Proscaf modular scaffolding system’s heavy-duty 5M U Lattice Girder Beam allowed SafeSmart to eliminate 33% of the wheels required with regular scaffolding.
The stair access was suspended off the primary platform and utilised SafeSmart portable stair products to overcome the lower steps.
The weight of the unit was controlled by removing the majority of the steel decks usually required, and laying a timber and ply platform on top of the framework. This allowed the small cantilevered section to be measured and cut to the contour of the plane.
THE RESULT:
Qantas Engineering has a robust, yet easily portable 5m X 5m workspace at the correct height and contoured to fit the rear cabin doors of Boeing 747 aircraft. This allows staff to safely undertake maintenance tasks, with quick and easy relocation of the access unit as required.
