Roddy Engineering were engaged by Gunlake Quarries to provide maintenance support during a scheduled two-week shutdown at the Gunlake Marulan Quarry.
Working within an established quarry environment, Roddy Engineering provided a range of trade and maintenance services to assist with the completion of planned shutdown activities. The scope included assessment works, on-site welding, mechanical fitting and general maintenance, with works undertaken across areas of the quarry’s fixed plant and associated infrastructure.
Shutdown maintenance requires careful planning and coordination, with a large amount of work needing to be completed within a relatively short period before plant and equipment can return to normal operation. Roddy Engineering personnel worked alongside Gunlake’s maintenance team to complete allocated works within the shutdown timeframe, while accommodating the different activities occurring across the site.
The quarry environment presented a range of site-specific considerations, with our tradesmen working around fixed plant, processing infrastructure, conveyors and elevated access areas. The nature of the facility also meant that maintenance activities needed to be carefully controlled and coordinated to ensure work areas and equipment were appropriately isolated before work commenced.
Safety and site compliance were an important part of the shutdown. Personnel were required to comply with Gunlake’s established safety systems, including daily JSAs and relevant work permits. Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) requirements were also in place, along with specific requirements for electrical equipment, welding equipment and vehicles entering the quarry.
Roddy Engineering’s ability to provide both welding and mechanical fitting capabilities allowed the team to assist with a variety of maintenance requirements as they arose throughout the shutdown. Having experienced tradespeople available on site also provided flexibility during the works, which is particularly important during shutdown projects where the condition of plant and equipment can only be fully assessed once areas are isolated and made accessible.
Throughout the project, works were completed in accordance with the quarry’s permit and safety requirements, with communication and coordination between site teams playing an important role in keeping activities progressing within the available shutdown period. Gunlake’s safety systems required relevant permits to be completed through their system, as well as daily JSAs for personnel undertaking the works.
The project demonstrates Roddy Engineering’s capability to provide shutdown and maintenance support within heavy industrial environments, bringing together welding, mechanical fitting and general maintenance services while operating under strict site safety and isolation requirements. The works contributed to Gunlake’s wider maintenance program, helping prepare the quarry’s plant and infrastructure for continued operation following the scheduled shutdown.
