How Kerrect is Driving Innovation: Case Study on Artarmon Tower Project

At Kerrect Group, we specialise in providing advanced height safety solutions to safeguard workers on construction sites and in industrial environments. One of our core areas of expertise is fall protection, which is a vital consideration for any construction project. In this case study, we’ll highlight the work Kerrect Group carried out on the Artarmon TV Broadcast Tower project, where we delivered an innovative solution to enhance worker safety.

For this project, we installed debris catch nets to offer overhead protection, preventing potential hazards from affecting workers or property below during the tower upgrade works. The installation involved three levels of netting, cantilevered out from the tower structure at various heights: the first level was positioned at 12 meters, followed by levels at 52 meters and 92 meters. This setup ensured robust protection against falling debris, while also enhancing the overall safety of the worksite.

Project Background

The Artarmon TV Broadcast Tower is a major broadcast construction project located in Sydney, Australia. This high-profile build required advanced safety measures to protect workers at height, as well as to ensure the safety of people and property below. The scope of work on this project included:

• Engineering the design of a system suitable for attachment to the tower, including supporting structures (outriggers) and safety netting
• Ensuring the design did not compromise the integrity of the tower’s steel structure
• Fabricating and installing the outriggers to support the netting system
• Installing debris catch nets at three levels to provide overhead protection for workers and property below
• Customising the safety solution to meet specific environmental and structural challenges posed by the tower

Project Objective

The primary objective of the Artarmon Tower project was to ensure the safe installation of netting systems, supported by strong and reliable outriggers. These netting systems served as a crucial safety barrier, designed to prevent falling debris and materials from the construction site, which posed a significant risk to personnel working below.

Beyond achieving this key objective, the project also required Kerrect to ensure the outriggers were engineered to withstand various environmental conditions such as wind, rain, and other factors that could affect the stability of both the tower and the netting system. Throughout the entire project, fall protection remained a top priority, not only to safeguard the workers on site but also to protect the public and surrounding properties from potential hazards.

Common Challenges in Fall Protection

While fall protection seems like a straightforward aspect of any construction project, the reality is far more complex. There are several common challenges that Kerrect routinely faces when designing and installing fall protection systems:

• Working at Height

Construction projects often require workers to perform tasks at significant heights. Ensuring safety on these sites involves carefully planned systems that can withstand the weight and force of both workers and materials. The Artarmon Tower project was no exception, and our team had to develop an Engineered solution that would allow for safe working conditions on the elevated levels of the structure.

• Weather Conditions

Australia’s diverse weather conditions present unique challenges for fall protection systems. Wind, rain, and extreme temperatures can all affect the stability of safety equipment. On the Artarmon Tower project, Kerrect’s team had to account for these weather variations, ensuring that our safety netting systems would remain secure and effective throughout all conditions.

• Varying Structural Conditions

Every building project presents unique structural challenges. The design of the Artarmon Tower, with its exposed high-rise elements and potential for complex wind loads, meant that Kerrect had to adjust its safety net design strategies to suit individual elements. Our outriggers and safety netting systems had to be customised to fit the specific conditions of the site, ensuring maximum safety and stability.

How Kerrect Overcame These Challenges

Kerrect’s innovative approach to fall protection involves custom solutions that meet the challenges posed by each project. In the case of Artarmon Tower, we designed a safety netting and outrigger system that was not only robust but flexible enough to adapt to the site’s fluctuating conditions. Our team’s expertise in height access and fall protection, combined with our commitment to safety and reliability, ensured that all challenges were effectively addressed and overcome.

Project Outcome

The outcome of the Artarmon Tower project was a complete success. Kerrect’s team successfully installed outriggers and safety netting systems that provided superior overhead protection barrier against dropped objects . The netting system effectively contained any falling debris, ensuring the safety of workers on-site and pedestrians below. By customising the outriggers to meet the specific requirements of the building and adjusting the netting for various weather conditions, Kerrect ensured that the system would remain secure and functional throughout the life of the project. As a result, the Artarmon Tower project was completed on time, within budget, and with zero fall-related incidents.

Benefits of Kerrect’s Approach

The installation of Kerrect’s fall protection systems provided several significant benefits to the Artarmon Tower project:

• Enhanced Safety: The netting system effectively protected workers and the public from the risk of falling debris, reducing potential accidents and ensuring a safer working environment.
• Adaptability: Kerrect’s innovative design and customisation allowed the netting system to adapt to varying weather conditions, ensuring consistent performance throughout the project.
• Cost-Effectiveness: By investing in durable, high-quality netting and outrigger systems, Kerrect helped reduce the risk of project delays caused by safety concerns, ultimately saving costs in the long run.
• Compliance with Regulations: Kerrect’s attention to detail and commitment to meeting safety standards ensured that all systems adhered to relevant fall protection and safety netting regulations, reducing the risk of fines or delays due to non-compliance.

Conclusion

The Artarmon Tower project serves as a prime example of how Kerrect Group is driving innovation in the field of fall protection. Through the successful installation of Engineered outriggers and safety netting systems, Kerrect ensured that the project was completed with the highest standards of safety, adaptability, and reliability. If you’re looking for industry-leading fall protection solutions for your next project, get in touch with Kerrect. Our team is ready to provide the expertise and support you need to protect your workers and ensure the success of your construction project.