HCE EXAMINATIONS

Here at AW Rail we have a long history of supporting our client with services right from the outset of any potential works across the rail infrastructure. Currently our teams are working across London and as far north from our Folkestone HQ as Peterborough

Being able to provide not just operatives but a huge amount of knowledge to our client has forged strong collaborative working relationships allowing us to often mobilise a team to assist with these works at very short notice.

Allowing our fully trained skilled teams to be part of these types of structural examinations and inspections allows us to provide an almost “one stop solution” for client needs and the safety of the railway infrastructure across the UK

These type of HCE Examinations (Hidden Critical Elements) often conducted outside of normal working hours, under road closures, possessions or line blocks, AC/DC Isolations and works around diesel lines requires a variety of operatives holding a wide variety of competencies.

Exposing these hidden critical elements (HCE) during detailed bridge examinations is to ascertain their condition, information on which plans for future work banks combining maintenance and renewal activities can be planned.

In the main we supply:

• PTS Operatives
• Safety Critical Staff – COSS & Track Handback
• PASMA trained operatives
• IRATA rope access operatives
• IPAF for MEWP’s
• LANTRA trained operatives
• CAT Scan Operatives
• Other Sentinel competencies as required

Working alongside the Bridge Examiners, structural engineers, ecologists and other stakeholders we assist with various works.

• Brickwork removal/reinstatement for inspection
• Removal/cleaning/installation of pigeon guano and pigeon spikes
• Cleaning of steel structures to allow for examination
• Vegetation management to allow for inspection of covered structures
• Provision of MEWPS and RRV’s for access – often in tight/confined locations
• Provision of other specialist plant to assist with examinations
• Ballast plate removal/reinstatement
• Snake cam/endoscope access to bearing zones and other confined space structures

Where required working with the client we will assist with the details for any permits to dig or other specialist activity to allow the examiners to carry out the required inspections.

These examinations are often carried out from MEWPS, RRV’s, Towers, even boats where access to structures travel over water. Consideration to lineside neighbours is also taken into account with majority of plant and small tools being electric/battery powered. Safety is paramount and overseen by experienced staff to ensure the safety of all stakeholders.

Our experienced project team working alongside our delivery teams offer a value service to our client, we relish the opportunity for a collaborative approach to this type of project and early client engagement has proven time and time again to exceed our client’s expectations.