When maintenance shutdowns happen in critical energy infrastructure, safe and efficient access is essential.
That’s why we worked with Contact Energy to design and manufacture a custom maintenance platform for generator outage work at the Roxburgh Hydro Dam.
The Contact Energy team wanted a safer and more efficient way to access the stators during maintenance outages, replacing previous ladder access methods with a purpose-built stair access platform designed specifically for the task.
The custom platform was designed based on our standard Cantilever Platform system, modified to suit the site.
We designed the platform to mount directly into an existing external bolt pattern, reducing installation and setup time while creating a safer and more efficient working environment for maintenance crews.
The challenge was creating a 1.5m clear cantilever to allow teams to safely work beneath the platform on the stator ring without restricting access around the generator.
The Contact Energy team are very impressed with the result. Without having to engage multiple parties to design and build a solution, SafeSmart designed, manufactured, and delivered the complete solution
This project was developed to solve a practical onsite challenge, improving access while minimising downtime during critical maintenance periods.
The custom design helped provide:
- Safer access for maintenance crews
- Faster setup and installation
- Improved clearance around the stator ring
- Better movement and workflow onsite
- Reduced reliance on traditional ladder access
By adapting an existing cantilever platform design, we were able to deliver a tailored solution that met the specific operational requirements of the site while maintaining efficiency in the build and installation process
Supporting Critical Renewable Energy Infrastructure
Projects like this demonstrate how purpose-built access solutions can improve both safety and efficiency during maintenance work within New Zealand’s renewable energy sector.
Whether it’s hydro generation, industrial shutdowns, or specialised maintenance access, we continue to deliver practical solutions designed around the realities of the job.
