To assist LKAB Mekaniska with a project for increased safety at LKAB in Kiruna, Jernbro brought together 44 employees from different cities.
− This shows our ability to fulfill an important customer’s need to complete a major project in a short time by gathering a large number of colleagues with the right skills in one place, says Conny Labba, Head of Construction, Business Area Projects and Maintenance North at Jernbro.
− As Construction Manager at LKAB Mekaniska, I have shared responsibility for “Projekt Säkra Band”, which is based on the Machine Directive (an EU regulation). This involves, among other things, planning assembly during maintenance shutdowns that are provided to maintain a high level of safety for everyone staying in the facility. Together with Jernbro’s supervisor Erik Kangas, we have developed a process that captures technical risks at a higher technical safety level at the plant. The reason is to minimize the risks for everyone who works in the facility during construction, says Saros Farighi, Construction Manager at LKAB Mekaniska.
− LKAB Mekaniska’s request was to set up troax gratings next to the walkways at several conveyor belts on which ore is transported, during their maintenance stop. This is to ensure greater safety for LKAB’s staff when operations are underway, such as avoiding the risk of crushing, explains Conny.
− However, we have a far-reaching collaboration with LKAB Mekaniska regarding the conveyor belts. However, the strategy has changed. Instead of doing work during operation, we should work during the maintenance stop with as many conveyors as possible. It also meant a safer work situation for us, instead of working while the conveyor belts are running. In return, it required a larger number of people, but we managed to pull it together, says Conny.
Before the stop, Jernbro carried out preparatory work connecting the troax grids and sorting them for the respective conveyor belts. Likewise, Jernbro’s 44-person work team visited LKAB KK2 (Kulsinterverk 2) and went through work steps, safety and 3D drawings, as well as carried out work preparation with risk analysis.
− Jernbro and its staff are beneficial and successful, which demonstrates strong drive and passion, which is in line with LKAB Mekaniska. Jernbro has been able to adapt to new ideas and this has weighed heavily in the choice of a contractor, as LKAB values commitment, innovation and responsibility, but of course safety first. It is also financially advantageous when Jernbro is situated in Kiruna and that the staff has local knowledge of the area. It is, after all, one of the world’s largest mines, says Saros.
The work began with all protective gratings being transported into the facility and to be mounted by the conveyor belts. There were some adaptations of drawings and the work on site in connection with creating space for the protective grating. Skills that the work required were welding, assembly and mechanics, as well as safe lifting, hot work and blueprint reading. Some work was also carried out at high altitudes, which is why fall protection training was a requirement, as well.
− It is fantastic that we have a great delivery capability when our customers need it, through our 1,000 employees. In this mission, personnel from Gothenburg, Avesta, Skövde, Luleå and Gällivare in Kiruna came together to contribute to secure LKAB’s work environment during the shutdown. Internally for us at Jernbro, it also meant that the cooperation between our various operations was strengthened, says Conny in conclusion.
