RAB work closely with the Environment Agency on a range of initiatives including their Asset Operation, Maintenance and Response Framework (AOMR). This includes T98 river asset inspections which are typically conducted visually from the banks where there is relatively easy access. However, some assets are not visible from land and require an inspector to enter the channel.
One recent example involved undertaking Confined Spaces T98 inspections along the River Rea in the West Midlands, which was carried out by Charlie Davies, one of our Apprentice Civil Engineers.
A large stretch of the river is not visible to safety inspect from the banks and therefore required a qualified T98 inspector to enter the channel and inspect directly from the river itself (the inspector must be Confined Risk Trained).
RAB partnered with McBreen Enviro who provided the required Search and Rescue team, as well as all safety equipment such as gas masks, harnesses, tripod and walkie talkies.
Charlie entered the channel along with a McBreen Enviro employee, using the tripod where required to lower them into the channel and carrying a walkie talkie, gas tanks, headtorches and wearing a harness and lifejackets. They walked up the channel to inspect both the channel side as well as any present flap valves. Under the safety protocols by McBreen Enviro, the in-channel inspectors were able to walk up the channel for 100m or until out of site by the foreman and topman before having to return, exit the channel and safely re-enter further down until the whole channel stretch was inspected.
The project proceeded smoothly and met its objective. Working alongside Mcbreen Enviro also gave RAB the chance to experience this new working sector without having to train our own staff in search and rescue. We look forward to undertaking similar Confined Spaces T98 inspections in the future.
RAB deliver a wide range of asset management, public safety and engineering services for both public and private sector organisations. More information is available here on our website, or you can get in touch for an informal discussion on your specific project by email to enquiries@rabconsultants.co.uk or call our head office in Lichfield on 0330 223 6475.