All around the crane

Contractor Niedt Scaffolding used 7000 m³ of Layher Allround scaffolding at a height up to 30 m to enclose the Condor harbour crane at the Meyer wharf in Papenburg, Germany during its restoration from May to August 2007.

The scaffolding allowed workers to sandblast and apply anti-corrosion treatment to the old crane. It had been in operation until 1980, but is now a memento to the 200-year tradition of shipbuilding in Papenburg.

Niedt scaffolded out the pillar of the crane up to the boom height of over 20 m, using outside buttresses. Its crew then enclosed the boom with suspended scaffolding, which penetrated the latticework at three levels. Cladding the scaffolding structure was necessary to limit sandblasting effects on the surroundings and to allow work in bad weather.

Care was taken during scaffolding and removal to maintain the crane's equilibrium, taking into account both sand weight and wind loadings. The scaffolding took nine days for the six-man team to erect.