The Challenge
This project is a strong example of grounds maintenance in high-risk environments. The team needed to test a latchway system on a high-rise building, but heavily overgrown vegetation completely restricted access.
The risks were significant.
The works involved operating at height, but due to the overgrown foliage, it was not possible to safely access or attach to the latchway system.
Therefore removing a critical safety control for those carrying out the task.
Without a secure means of fall protection, the activity could not proceed. Combined with obstructed access and dense vegetation, this created a high-risk environment that prevented safe execution of the works.
Previous contractors had been unable to gain RAMS approval from the Health & Safety team, leaving the issue unresolved.
Our Approach
OUTCO’s Health & Safety team led the response, carrying out a detailed site assessment to fully understand the risks and constraints.
We developed a clear, structured plan to safely manage the vegetation and reinstate access to the latchway system. This included defining safe working methods, sequencing the works correctly, and ensuring all control measures were in place before any activity began.
By focusing on the root cause and prioritising safety at every stage, the team secured full RAMS approval and enabled the works to proceed.
A key part of this solution involved sourcing a secure, weighted latchway system for temporary installation on the roof. This provided a safe anchorage point, allowing operatives to work at height with the necessary fall protection in place. The system could also be repositioned as work progressed, ensuring continuous safe access while team members cleared the vegetation.
This approach allowed the team to safely remove the foliage. Restoring access to the fixed latchway system on the building.
The Outcome
With a robust plan in place, the team successfully cleared the vegetation, restored safe access, and enabled testing of the latchway system. Most importantly, the team completed the works without incident and maintained the safety of everyone involved throughout.
Summary
This project demonstrates how grounds maintenance in high-risk environments requires more than just on-site delivery. It relies on careful planning, strong Health & Safety leadership, and a clear understanding of site-specific risks.
Through a considered approach, the team turned a risky, limited access site into a safe working environment.
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