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Sheffield protection firm provides solution for Scotland’s largest art installation

Sheffield-based fall protection company Eurosafe Solutions has provided a safety solution to Scotland’s largest art installation, the Kelpies, to enable workers to access and carry out maintenance on the iconic structures.

The Kelpies are two 30 metre tall, 300 tonnes horse heads made entirely out of steel, that are the centrepiece of the 740-acre Helix Park, which has been built between Falkirk and Grangemouth.

Sculpted by Glasgow artist Andy Scott, the structures are inspired by Scotland’s history of working horses, which once pulled barges along the nearby Forth and Clyde Canal.

Main contractor on the project, SH Structures, commissioned Eurosafe Solutions to supply and install an internal ladder within each of the horse heads, one 19 metre high and another 21 metre high, and also to provide rope access assistance to the installers of the structures external cladding.

Ian Shore, rope access co-ordinator at Eurosafe Solutions, said: “It was fantastic to be involved in this prestigious contract.

“The Kelpies will help to reinforce this area of Scotland’s heritage and tradition, leaving a lasting legacy for the area.

“We have provided access solutions for many iconic structures such as The Shard, the Emirates Stadium and Heathrow Airport and it was great to be able to utilise the rope access skills of our experienced team on this exciting project.”

Eurosafe Solutions worked to a strict timetable to complete the installation in time for the opening ceremony, held in April. The company installed both of the ladders in three days.

Work to erect the £5 million Kelpies sculptures began last year and the public can now take guided tours around and inside the structures, after they were officially opened in front of tens of thousands of spectators.

The Kelpies are expected to attract an additional 350,000 visitors to the area and bring in £1.5 million of annual tourism spend.

Eurosafe Solutions has amongst its customers some of the UK’s iconic buildings, including the O2 Arena, The Millennium Stadium, Manchester Evening News Arena, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports and the Emirates Stadium.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .