Vistem's Mobile Access Platform for Offshore Sector

VISTEM, a provider of game-changing technology to the oil and gas industry, has launched an innovative mobile access platform for the offshore sector that is set to bring significant cost, time and safety benefits to clients.

The ATEX approved access lift, which reaches a height of 3.5m, is battery and motor free. Powered by a pre-loaded gas spring and gear system, the turning of the simple dead man handle raises and lowers the platform.

The lift offers an alternative to traditional podiums and stepladders, which present risks associated with working at height. Personnel are fully enclosed in the lift prior and during the elevation, which drastically reduces the risk of fall.

The lift is very compact with a footprint of only 850mm (w) by 985mm (l) and can be raised in 11 seconds and lowered in 11 seconds.

The lift can operate in 28mph winds and can be used for a variety of routine offshore tasks. This includes mechanical and operational tasks, general inspections, routine lighting and general electrical maintenance, fabric maintenance, inspection of cranes and rigging and any other low-level work.

Head of sales Thomas Barter said: “Safety is at the forefront of all that we do at VISTEM, and each product we create has a primary aim of reducing health and safety risks to personnel. With falls from height being the biggest cause of injury in the workplace, our new lift is a step change in low-level access and will drastically reduce the dangers of working at height.”

VISTEM’s lifts are able to save clients over £300 every time they are utilised as opposed to a scaffold, and the company’s ATEX onshore models have already been deployed in many refineries and power stations around the UK. One client reported that over a five-week period through the execution of six low-level work scopes, the VISTEM ATEX 4.2m wind-rated lift saved more than £15,000 and reduced working at height hours by 526.

Established in 2013 the founding members of VISTEM came together with two core aims – to minimise health and safety risks and reduce the costs of production for clients. As well as its onshore and offshore lifts, VISTEM has a suite of further innovative products, designed with these aims in mind.

One such product is an inflatable work shelter, a 7.5m (l) by 7(w) by 3.5m (h) structure which can be deployed in 30 minutes and inflated or deflated in five and a half minutes. The enclosure can be used for work such as rig blasting, painting and welding, and the technology is currently being used by

clients in the North Sea. VISTEM’s work shelter reduces downtime caused by bad weather, which in turn increases efficiency, reduces cost and contributes to work scopes being on schedule.

Mr Barter continued: “VISTEM is a huge advocate of ‘Smart Thinking’, and by addressing problems with new and different thought processes, we are able to innovate and deliver continuous business improvements.

“We consult closely with both existing and potential clients to understand their challenges in the current climate, before analysing and engineering potential solutions.

“Our solutions are being used by a growing number of oil and gas clients throughout the UK and we want to help our customers improve their procedures and operate more efficiently.”