Hi guys, Looking for some input into the following, I apologise for the length of the posting. What I am trying to do is develop a safe system of work that can be used with our overhead travelling cranes to allow for various building maintenance operations to be carried out, using a crane as a work platform. It has so far proved impossible to devise an acceptable method of fall prevention such as handrails, due to the lack of anywhere to fix them to. What we need is a demountable system that although secure, does not require the fixing of attachments to the crane itself. I was looking at the four metre long lightweight walkways with integral safety wires, that roofing contractors use and wondered if we couldn’t make use of one of them. A HIAB or something similar could be used to place one of these onto the top of the crane and once the walkway was positioned there, I thought it could be secured by making use of the ratchet-tightened webbing straps that drivers use to secure loads on trailers. The webbing straps could be passed over or through the walkway and tightened around the crane bridge, ensuring that corner protectors were in place, as these straps are capable of holding very heavy loads in place, my thinking is that if three were used, they could adequately secure a walkway to the top of the crane. (I am aware of all the other matters that have to be included, applicable equipment standards, inspection, safe access, ensuring areas are cleared etc., and am proceeding on the basis that requirements have been met and suitable controls are in place.) Once on the crane, the operator who would be secure within the structure of the handrails, could be prevented from over stretching by being clipped onto the safety wire and would remain free to work along the length of the walkway as needed. I hasten to add that this is just a notion, one born out of desperation and very much the last throw of the dice before drastic measures will need to be adopted. Nothing has been done to further the idea and I’m sure that fresh pairs of eyes may come up with reasons why it can’t be and that will be helpful in its own way. Thanks for taking the time to have a look.

Thanks for the reply wizzpete. Sorry it has taken so long to reply but we are having problems with our connection. Let me address your points. The cranes are rather old and are the box girder type so there is plenty of room for the walkway to sit on top. It would be helped with the use of friction matting. The problem is keeping it there Once it was up there we would use a tower scaffold to fix the straps in place. They would be clamping and not, strictly speaking, supporting. The configuration of the strap ends would have to be addressed to ensure secure engagement with the crane. Access onto the walkway would not be an issue as there are fixed access platforms and laddes to allow crane maintenance. The cross-travel trolley would be positioned to one end and isloated to prevent movement. Your final point about a permanent platform is a non-runner I'm afraid, thw cross travel trolley, to which the hook is attached runs along the top of the crane, hence the need for a demountable system. This is an old building and little thought was given to future maintenance when it was built. I am now in the position of trying to get the job done safely. As you obviously realise, I have looked at this problem from every angle and short of emptying the warehouse, there apperas to be no other reasonably practicable means of carrying out the work. I was wondering if there was any definitive reason as to why it cou;ld not or should not be done in this way.

Thanks for taking a look Rob, have decided to get a specialist access company to have look and advise us as to the best way to go.