Industry Sector: Energy From Waste
Site: Westfield Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), Kinglassie, Fife
Project Duration: August 2024 – October 2024
Client: KVI (formerly Hitachi Zosen Inova AG)
Services Provided: Rope Access – Industrial Cleaning & Coating Touch-Up
Status: Completed On Time and Under Budget
Overview:
Think Access Ltd—an IRATA member company—was appointed by KVI (formerly known as Hitachi Zosen Inova AG) to carry out a full Final Plant Cleandown and Paint Touch-Up at the Westfield Energy Recovery Facility in Fife.
This was the seventh Final Plant Clean project delivered by Think Access Ltd to date, with the eighth already underway. The work was carried out during live commissioning, requiring rope access operatives to work safely and efficiently in complex, high-risk environments.
Scope of Work:
The scope involved full industrial cleaning and inspection of over 183,000 m² of steelwork across the facility, including:
- Industrial vacuuming and surface cleaning of structural steel
- Identification and logging of paint damage
- Application of base and topcoat materials to match the original specification
- Use of rope access for all high-level and confined space works
Work was delivered in line with TSD-HZI-50209521_0.0, supported by strict quality assurance measures and an agreed Inspection Test Plan.
Execution Approach:
An IRATA-qualified rope access team was deployed, supported by a dedicated Site Supervisor, HSE advisor, SHEQ Manager, and Project Coordinator.
The project was managed with:
- Live cloud-based RAMS and method statement access
- Rope rescue equipment on site at all times
- Toolbox talks and daily PTW coordination with KVI
- Full traceability of work areas, inspection logs, and materials used
As an IRATA member company, Think Access adhered to internationally recognised standards for rope access safety, competence, and equipment control throughout the job.
Risk & Safety Management:
All work was carried out under strict risk controls due to the active commissioning of the plant. Hazards included hot pipework, live systems, overhead working, and confined spaces.
Risk controls included:
- Clearly defined drop zones and exclusion areas
- Tethered tool protocols for all operatives
- Controlled removal and reinstatement of flooring and grating systems
- COSHH-compliant cleaning chemicals and waste segregation
- Constant communication with KVI for permits and task sequencing
Rope access allowed the team to reach otherwise inaccessible areas without disrupting plant operations or installing fixed platforms.
Coating & Touch-Up:
Following cleaning, damaged paintwork was prepped and repaired:
- Feathering and abrasion of coating edges
- Spot priming and overcoating to correct thickness
- Adherence to pot-life specifications for all materials
- Final inspection and sign-off before handover
All repair activities were tracked and recorded, with full QA documentation provided as part of project closeout.
Results & Perfomance:
- Delivered safely and ahead of schedule
- All works completed to spec and signed off by the client
- No lost-time incidents or environmental breaches
- Full QA and reporting submitted for final acceptance
Client Reference:
This project was delivered for KVI (formerly Hitachi Zosen Inova AG). Think Access Ltd continues to support KVI as a trusted partner, providing specialist rope access and industrial cleaning solutions under a long-term preferred supplier agreement.