The impact of weather events on industry
In the first half of February, various regions of Peru experienced rainfall of a greater intensity than usual. This weather phenomenon had a direct impact on a detergent production plant, where water seeping through the roof began to jeopardise operations. As the water fell directly onto the production machinery, it posed an imminent risk both to the integrity of the equipment and to the continuity of the industrial process, making urgent technical intervention necessary.
Access and positioning strategy at height
To carry out the repair efficiently, the technical team devised a safe access plan using an articulated lift. Using this platform, they reached one of the structure’s main beams to install a retrievable access point. This system enabled specialist staff to access the upper deck using vertical rope access techniques, a method that ensures the necessary mobility on uneven and hard-to-reach surfaces.
Safety and fall protection
Once the equipment had been positioned in the work area, priority was given to creating a safe environment by installing temporary horizontal lifelines. These collective protection systems enabled workers to move around the entire affected area whilst maintaining a constant connection to a fall-arrest system. This measure was essential for carrying out maintenance work at height in compliance with the industrial safety standards required for roofs with structural damage.
Risk mitigation and operational planning
The project presented an additional challenge due to the condition of the roof, which was made of asbesto tiles that were severely worn. Given the critical risk of material falling and accidental breakages, the operation was strategically planned to take place over two Sundays. Choosing these days allowed us to work in an environment with less activity on the plant floor, enabling us to maintain full control over the risk area, minimise exposure to third parties and ensure that the operations would be carried out under operational conditions.
