5th October 2006 - LOCAL EMPLOYER SCOOPS MAJOR PRIZE FOR INNOVATION
Local employer, Tarmac Ltd, has won a top industry prize for an innovative approach to a health & safety problem.
The team at Tarmac's quarry near Waterhouses, Tarmac Cauldon Low, scooped the award for Innovation from the Quarry Products Association after making significant safety improvements to an explosives truck to ensure that it conformed to Tarmac's strict Health & Safety policies.
Barry Keeling, Works Manager at Tarmac Caldon Low said:" We bought the explosives truck to reduce the risks associated with manual handling and mixing of explosives, only to find that it posed its own risks - in particular Working at height of above 3 metres without any feasible fall protection.
Foreman Fitter, Peter Kirkham modified the truck and fitted it with a variety of safety solutions, many of which are automatically powered by the truck's own hydraulic system. We're very pleased to have won the award and extremely proud of the whole team's ongoing commitment to Health & Safety."
The safety modifications made to the truck include:
- Hydraulically powered handrails
- Vertical ladder hoops (automatically positioned)
- Harness restraint (running line)
- Stainless steel grids for hopper protection
Tarmac also won the John Crabbe Memorial Trophy for Outstanding excellence in Health & Safety, one Runners-up Award, two Highly Commended Awards and a Certificate of Merit.
