BlogInsights from the Field: Lighting Maintenance During Shutdowns
During a recent scheduled shutdown at a major gas facility, the lighting crew was tasked with replacing floodlights, emergency lamps and tube fittings under tight time constraints. Work was carried out during off-peak hours in operational areas, with teams coordinating closely to complete lighting upgrades alongside other shutdown-critical tasks such as cable rerouting and transformer maintenance. This included the installation of backup power and close coordination across multiple crews to maintain safety and meet shutdown targets.
The scope and pace of the work were a clear reminder of what’s at stake when lighting upgrades intersect with shutdowns: safety, speed, and access.
It’s Never Just a Light Fitting
Working at height under time pressure is one of the biggest risks during maintenance shutdowns. In this case, temporary platforms and lifts were used to replace lighting in hard-to-reach areas adding time and increasing exposure to hazards.
When you’re racing against a startup clock, even small delays in accessing fixtures can snowball.
Field Takeaways
Every shutdown project offers lessons - not just for the team in the field, but for those designing solutions that save hours.
From this story, three points stood out:
- Access is everything - The faster and safer you can reach and maintain lighting, the more time you free up for other critical tasks.
- Temporary fixes shouldn’t add long-term risk - Emergency setups and scaffolds help in the short term, but a better system reduces the need for them altogether.
- Design matters during shutdowns - Tools that minimise working at height, reduce health and safety risks, and speed up servicing make a tangible difference when the clock is ticking.
Servicing at Walkway Level - By Design
This kind of project is exactly where Swivelpole™ helps:
- No scaffolds or lifts required - teams work from walkway level
- Faster fixture access - ideal for shutdown schedules
- Reduced safety exposure - fewer work-at-height incidents
It’s a reminder that better access isn’t just a design detail - it’s a shutdown advantage.
Why Onsite Feedback Changes Everything
We’re always listening to engineers and technicians on the ground. Their insights help us build better solutions that work in real-world shutdowns, not just drawings.
Thanks again to Bernard Reuben, Electrical Engineer, for sharing such an open, detailed look at shutdown lighting – you can read Bernard's original LinkedIn post here.