Kimberly Clark enlists RB Group for water tower refurbishment

The project involved the removal of asbestos from opaque panels, replacement of all glazing, and painting of the water tank.

The scope of the project included the removal of all asbestos in opaque panels, as well as the replacement of all glazing and painting of the water tank. along with the replacement of all glazing and painting of the water tank. Additionally, we facilitated the preparation of the planning application to approval, ensured confirmation of all design calculations, and provided principal designer and principal contractor duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM). Our team also managed the site installation process to ensure smooth execution.

The refurbishment of the water tower presented several significant challenges. With the tower standing at less than 30 meters tall and featuring a water tank at its pinnacle, working at height emerged as a major obstacle. Moreover, upon conducting a thorough R&D survey, asbestos was discovered in the opaque panels across all 10 floors of the building, necessitating remediation by a specialist due to the stringent protocols surrounding the removal of such hazardous material.

To address the aesthetic aspect of the project, the tank underwent painting, which posed another challenge. Given the prohibitive costs associated with erecting scaffolding at such heights, rope access specialists were enlisted for the task.

Additionally, the presence of three mobile phone antennas on the tower necessitated compliance with electromagnetic field (EMF) regulations, requiring intermittent shutdowns of the antennas during the project’s execution.

The completion of all works adhered strictly to relevant legislation governing various aspects such as working at height and working with asbestos. Comprehensive Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOPs) and hazard reviews were conducted to identify and mitigate potential risks throughout the project. This included the classification of hazardous areas to ensure the safety of personnel working in those environments. RB Group prioritised achieving compliance with a range of standards and regulations, including

• HSG281 – Electromagnetic Fields at Work
• HSG150 – Health & Safety in Construction
• Control of Asbestos regulations 2012
• Working At Height Regulations 2007
• Lifting Operation & Lifting equipment regulations LOLER 1998
• Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 (CDM2015)
• Health & Safety at Work Act HASAWA 1974
• Management Regulations 1999
• The Workplace(Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992
• EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

Throughout the refurbishment process, RB Group maintained a flexible relationship with the client, keeping them informed of any issues encountered during both the planning and installation phases. Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, particularly around the hazardous waste removal and the protection of personnel working near the microwave antennas, was paramount. Despite these complexities, all works were successfully completed within the specified timeframe.