An innovation which will dramatically reduce the risk of injury to highways workers who regularly handle A-Frame signs has been launched by Core Highways.
A new design to the A-Frame’s connection, designed to drastically reduce the risk of pinch point injuries, is set to be rolled out across the sector.
Manual handling is one of the highest causes of accidents and injuries within the temporary traffic management (TTM) industry and leading the way in improving safety and sustainability across the sector is a key pillar of Core Highways’ foundations.
The SHEQ Team recently listened to some concerns from the workforce around the A-Frame signs that they handle every day.
Specifically, their concerns were around the potential for fingers to be trapped in the mechanism, thus causing serious injury. There are many legacy product designs across the industry and Core sought to find a solution that would remove this risk.
A taskforce was assembled to try and address the problem, resulting in the creation of a new product which works with all existing signage and does not affect the ability to stack the frames flat.
The newly designed A-Frames are starting to be rolled out across all Core Highways sites.
A Frame BeforeAfter
Simon Robinson, Group Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality at Core Highways, said:
“Manual handling and pinch point injuries occur too frequently in low-speed temporary traffic management, resulting in some nasty debilitating injuries.
“Working with Cougar Developments and Brookes Tarpaulins, we have been able to design out this risk at source, removing one less thing to think about, and supporting our operatives who often work in high-risk environments. Something so simple will be effective in reducing these injuries, moving us all closer to the ultimate aspiration of zero harm.”
In addition to the pinch point modification, a retrofit attachment is currently in development which will see improved sustainability of the existing product whilst providing the additional protection afforded, is currently in development with a view to starting manufacturing imminently.
Core Highways is a leading provider of temporary traffic management, barrier solutions and events signage with the ability and expertise to deliver across the UK, offering local knowledge on a national scale, from small schemes to major projects.