Renovations to the 60-ft-long, 40-ft-wide, 125-ft-high Methocel Flaker Tower entailed construction of elaborate scaffolding to blast and paint the structure while ensuring every inch of it could be accessed by hand.
To achieve the desired result, scaffolding contractor Niles Industrial Coatings designed and erected scaffold that surrounded the entire structure. By utilizing products from Safway Systems, erectors were able to place a complete deck every 7 ft vertically while maintaining safe work areas.
Single-source responsibility for scaffolding and painting promoted seamless results despite 6,500 scaffolding parts, countless gallons of paint and extensive use of sand to blast the structure.
During preliminary planning and design, Niles incorporated ideas from both scaffolding and painting personnel to ensure work would not only be completed in the safest manner possible but also on time and on budget.
To minimize the potential for rework, Niles assigned its chief painting project foreman to oversee work on site at all times.
Before work began, the firm sought to eliminate errors by educating all parties about how each trade would complete its portion of the project, an approach that also increased productivity.
Not a single injury occurred during the elaborate operation.
Methocel, Midland, Mich.
Key Players
Owner Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich.
GC Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich.
Designer Niles Industrial Coatings, Fenton, Mich.
