Drilling specialist’s head for heights

D-Drill, a diamond drilling and sawing specialist with a base in Sheffield, was called in by Tata Steel, in Scunthorpe, to drill a series of holes, using specialist equipment. There was nothing unusual about these holes, apart from the fact that they had to be drilled at heights of up to 300 feet.

They were needed at several stages up a chimney stack to allow fabricated steel bands to be fixed to it with steel locating pins. Training had to be given to two D-Drill workers so they could get used to heights and learn how to use safety harnesses.

Mick Brown, D-Drill’s Sheffield manager, said: “Our guys had to have the stomach for heights, and they said from the start that it would be no problem. Tata have now called us back in to discuss further work for them.”