Partner: Global Concept Safety

Country: France

Solution: XSLinked horizontal lifeline system (★★★)

The SNCF shunting halls in Strasbourg brought back in line with fall protection standards

Fall hazards can occur not only at train stations, but also in railway shunting halls. These types of buildings often consist of large spaces that make use of daylight admitted through roof-integrated skylights. The danger of falling through is the greatest risk here, both for those who may fall and for maintenance personnel working inside the depot.

Old station buildings and shunting halls are ideal examples of structures that use skylights and rooflights. While these allow natural light to enter the building, they also present a significant fall hazard through the roof. Therefor fall protection on shunting halls can improve safety on the roof top and on the work floor.

The Technicentre of Alsace in Strasbourg

In Strasbourg, on Rue du Rempart, lies the Technicentre Grand Est – Alsace. This is an important maintenance center of SNCF Mobilités and consists of several specialized sites for train units. With a length of approximately 132 meters, a width of 23 meters, and a height of about 13 meters, the continuous ‘Dépôt Strasbourg’ contains six tracks that allow multiple train units to be serviced simultaneously. The interior space of this shunting hall mainly illuminated by natural light through the long skylights integrated into the roof.

Long-term deposits on roof windows pose a risk of falling through

External environmental factors, such as fine dust, create deposits on the roof windows and skylights. This weathering eats into the glazing and causes the windows to take on an unwanted camouflage/neutral tone, making them difficult to distinguish from the surrounding roof material. This not only reduces natural light inside the building but also compromises rooftop safety. Over time, maintenance on the roof and windows becomes necessary, which brings significant risks.

At the Technicentre Grand Est, the (fall) height through the skylights is about 13 meters—potentially fatal. The roof windows are fragile, and an uncontrolled step can lead to a fall. Such an incident could injure not only the person on the roof but also staff working below.

Before starting, Jérôme received only a few photos and schematics. After analysis, it was agreed to install three XSLinked Wall & Overhead lifelines, chemically anchored to the brick facades. However, this did not go smoothly, ultimately requiring a customized solution.

Non-compliant systems replaced with XSLinked lifeline systems

To minimize fall risks, fall protection measures had been installed.
However, inspection revealed that the existing fall protection systems did not comply with current standards due to the use of inadequate fastening materials. As a result, nine systems were rejected and replaced. Global Concept Safety installed new XSLinked lifeline systems from XSPlatforms, calculated using the ODIN-lifeline tool. This calculation allowed them to install a minimal number of XSMD base plates with lifeline compontents while still ensuring maximum safety.

Although the danger of falling through can never be completely eliminated, the new system ensures that maintenance staff can work safely and with fall restraint on the roof.