Project Overview:
Think Access (Scotland) Ltd. was commissioned to deliver a specialist debris netting installation on the underside of the Forth Road Bridge, one of Scotland’s most iconic transport structures. The contract, managed in partnership with Volker Laser and BEAR Scotland, required the integration of rope access methods with the V-Deck suspended access system to install and secure high-strength safety netting across key structural panel points.
The primary objectives were:
- Public Protection – ensuring no risk of debris falling into the estuary.
- Workforce Safety – providing a secure, controlled environment for operatives to work at height.
The combination of rope access techniques with V-Deck provided a flexible, engineered platform solution in areas where conventional scaffolding or mechanical access was impractical.
Scope of Works:
The project involved installing debris netting across panel points 5–6 and adjoining spans of the bridge deck. The scope included:
- Installation of beam clamps and chain systems on the underside of the deck.
- Securing cargo straps, ratchet straps, and chain hooks as anchor points.
- Deployment of the V-Deck modular suspended platform system to provide safe working areas for complex installation stages.
- Hoisting, tensioning, and stitching netting panels to achieve continuous, high-strength coverage.
The integration of V-Deck allowed the team to work more efficiently and safely, reducing manual handling risks while maintaining access flexibility around the bridge’s complex steel trusses.
Technical Challenges:
- Adverse Weather
The Forth estuary is subject to unpredictable high winds. Timesheet records show days where direct installation work had to pause, with teams instead preparing equipment and staging materials for rapid deployment once conditions improved. V-Deck provided an additional safeguard, creating a stable suspended work environment that could be safely accessed during marginal conditions.
- Structural Complexity
The underside of the bridge consists of a dense lattice of angled steelwork. Each clamp, chain, and net panel required precise alignment to ensure even load distribution. The modular design of V-Deck allowed operatives to position themselves exactly where required, making the installation of beam clamps and stitching nets far more efficient than if rope access alone had been used.
- High-Risk Working Environment
Operatives worked suspended above tidal waters throughout the project. Redundant rope access systems, combined with the security of V-Deck suspended platforms, ensured that safety was never compromised. The debris netting itself provided a further layer of protection, acting as both containment and secondary fall-arrest during the installation phase.
Execution Strategy
The project was delivered through four key stages:
- Preparation – equipment staging, beam clamp positioning, and access planning with V-Deck modules.
- Anchorage Installation – clamps, chains, and ratchet straps secured across structural panel points.
- Net Deployment – hoisting and stitching of debris netting panels, tensioned to create seamless coverage.
- Inspection & Handover – each span was checked for compliance, strength, and safety before client sign-off.
Photographs from the project capture operatives suspended in hi-vis PPE within the black netting systems, demonstrating the integration of V-Deck platforms with rope access techniques.
Outcomes:
- Comprehensive Coverage Achieved – all targeted spans beneath the bridge deck were netted, eliminating risks from falling debris.
- Enhanced Workforce Safety – the use of V-Deck reduced exposure risks and manual strain, while maintaining the flexibility of rope access.
- Client Assurance – every stage was approved and signed off, with documented compliance to IRATA and client safety protocols.
- Efficiency Gains – V-Deck allowed faster, safer progression across multiple spans, setting a benchmark for future bridge access projects.
Conclusion
The Forth Road Bridge debris netting project showcased Think Access (Scotland) Ltd.’s ability to deliver integrated access solutions, combining rope access expertise with the V-Deck suspended platform system. This approach provided a safer, more efficient method for carrying out complex works in a highly exposed environment.
The successful outcome not only safeguarded the public and workforce but also provided a robust platform for ongoing maintenance works. By leveraging cutting-edge systems like V-Deck alongside traditional rope access, Think Access (Scotland) Ltd. continues to lead the way in delivering innovative, high-value solutions for Scotland’s most challenging infrastructure projects.