Lightning Arrestor

The utility company managing a large Hydroelectric Dam had a problem. Two large platforms that had once supported heavy lightning arresting equipment were beginning to deteriorate. The platforms were perched half way up the face of a 300 ft. dam and cantilevered eighteen feet out over expensive power generation equipment. Chunks of concrete were in danger of falling on workers and equipment. The platforms were no longer in use and needed to be removed. Energized high-voltage power lines blocked access to the platforms from the front, above and below. Outages involving these power lines were very expensive. The challenge was to safely remove the platforms without dropping any debris and with minimal outage to the surrounding power lines.

Rhino partnered with the utility company and a concrete contracting firm, to provide the solution. Rope access techniques were used to approach the platforms from the side. Fall protection equipment was installed above and below the platforms to provide safe access for workers. Custom engineered decks were erected just below the lightning arrestor platforms. These were supported by wire rope slings and brackets bolted into the face of the dam. Guardrails and debris barriers were installed, effectively encasing the platforms and providing a safe working surface for demolition crews. As demolition proceeded, debris was removed in batches via materials handling lines. The debris was moved horizontally to a loading platform and then flown down a wire rope line to a rollaway dumpster in the lot below.

When all the concrete had been removed, Rhino riggers cut out the steel platform support structure and reversed the decking and fall protection installation process. The whole project was performed on time, in budget, with no equipment damage and no lost-time injuries.