Replacing Heavy Gatic Covers with Modern Safe Access Solutions

Many older sites still rely on heavy gatic access covers that were never designed with today’s safety standards in mind. These covers are not only difficult to lift, posing serious manual handling risks, but they also lack any form of fall prevention — leaving operators exposed to open pits during maintenance.

The Upgrade Solution

Mass Products recently upgraded one such site by replacing outdated gatic covers with a spring-assisted lightweight aluminium access cover system. This design reduces the strain of lifting, while integrated safety grates provide continuous fall protection whenever the covers are open.

To further enhance operator safety, a perimeter handrail with a self-closing gate was installed around the wet well. This creates a physical barrier to eliminate leading-edge exposure and ensures compliance with best-practice safety standards.

Why This Matters

With this upgrade, operators can safely access underground assets without harnessing or working at heights. The site now benefits from:

• Safer, easier maintenance
• Reduced injury risk from heavy lifting
• Permanent fall protection for routine tasks
• Improved compliance and peace of mind

At Mass Products, we believe safe access infrastructure should be engineered to protect workers while extending the life of critical assets.

If your facilities are still using outdated gatic covers, now is the time to explore a custom safe access solution that meets today’s safety expectations.

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