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Spider provides suspended access solutions to World Trade Center Towers

Words: Heidi AndersSpider, a division of SafeWorks, LLC, is providing suspended scaffolding and material hoisting solutions for the glass curtain wall and glazing installation on two towers of the World Trade Center: One World Trade Center and Tower Four.

Spider is supplying Portland-based glazing contractor Benson Industries with twelve complete swingstages to access the towers’ facades. Standard 20-foot and 30-foot modular platforms - powered by Spider’s market-leading SC1000 traction hoists - as well as Modulo® platforms are enabling access to hard-to-reach areas. A custom modular outrigger beam monorail system was specially engineered to support the platforms.

In addition, four Beta Max Leo XXL VFD material hoists are being used to lift over 3,000 massive glass panels into position. With hoists on each side of the building, installers carefully bring the large, delicate panels up at a rate of 40-80 feet per minute and precisely position for the install.

Spider’s New York Operation Center, led by Operations Manager Joe Simone and District Sales Representative Marc Frato, provided on-site, hands-on training to ensure safe operation of the equipment.

“From the minute the Spider team set foot on site to assess the project and explain our access and material hoisting options, we were confident they would provide the best solution. And they have exceeded our expectations,” states Frank Colletta, General Foreman One World Trade Center.

“The reliability and flexibility of Spider’s equipment are essential for us to complete the upper portion of the project,” adds Danny O’Brien, Field Superintendent with Benson Industries. “Their New York team provides great service, on-time deliveries, and helpful technical support to ensure that we are working safely at height, staying on schedule, and maximizing productivity. We couldn’t ask for more.”

“The equipment and service Spider provided was exceptional, enabling us to flawlessly complete our glass repairs and louver work,” says Eddie Nelson, Foreman Tower Four also with Benson Industries.

“Spider takes pride in being an integral part of these high- profile projects,” says John Sotiroff, Vice President Spider Sales and Distribution. “As the nation watches the progress of the iconic World Trade Center towers, Spider swells with patriotism and remains focused on keeping these and other quality contractors around the country safe at extreme heights.”

As Spider’s work on Tower Four nears completion, the equipment and focus has transferred to One World Trade Center which, at 1,776 feet, is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Spider anticipates its phase of the project to be completed in September 2013.

To view footage of Spider’s equipment in action on One World Trade Center, visit
www.spiderstaging.com/Standard/SpiderBetaMax.aspx.
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