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PRODUCT News
March 2017
MODERN MINING
51
Skyriders has had a permanent rope access
maintenance and inspection team at a
large Eskom power station near Ogies in
Mpumalanga for 12 years.
The rope-access specialist has assisted
the electricity utility with various tasks
such as internal boiler inspections, PF pipe
inspections, coal bunkers, terrace bins, pre-
cipitator hoppers and ducting, Marketing
Manager Mike Zinn explains. It has also
carried out maintenance work on the roof
and side sheeting, bucket elevators and
smoke stacks.
In addition to a permanent crew, Sky
riders also has a large multi-skilled team
available to carry out other essential main-
tenance and inspection tasks during any
planned or unforeseen outages at Eskom’s
fleet. “What gives us our competitive edge
is our extreme flexibility and responsive-
ness in this regard,” Zinn comments.
This has resulted in Skyriders enjoying
a close relationship with Eskom for over
15 years, carrying out work at most of the
electricity utility’s 13 power stations. While
the more traditional means of access have
been used in this sector, Zinn argues that
rope access is the ideal solution, as it
provides efficient and quick access to high-
elevation structures.
“The rapid rigging and de-rigging of
self-sufficient teams allows trained tech-
nicians the flexibility to complete tasks
much quicker. Time is of the essence
during any kind of shutdown situation
at a power station, as it impacts on the
national electricity grid,” Zinn emphasises.
“Our technicians are responsible for the
full remit. Rope access also allows a single
team to undertake numerous tasks at vari-
ous locations.”
Skyriders’ recent scope of work at vari-
ous Eskompower stations has involved the
application of protective coatings to two
250 m smoke stacks, steel-erection rigging
and bolting, concrete repair and grouting
on water-treatment plants.
Apart from the boilers themselves,
Skyriders displays its skills on Eskom contract
Skyriders offers a variety of rope-access aided services.
power stations have additional struc-
tures that require regular inspection and
maintenance.
Skyriders, website:
www.ropeaccess.co.za