DESCRIPTION
Repeated near misses were being reported at Day Group’s bagging depot at Southampton, this was due to the nature of the site. The layout and shape of the yard made it difficult to operate the production facility and to dispatch bagged materials safely.
The stocking bays, which are located in the main thoroughfare, are regularly traversed by delivery lorries, tele-handlers and loading shovels. It was essential that delivery lorries, which were re-stocking the bays, waited until they were instructed to tip. However, on occasions, impatient drivers moved to the stocking bays without waiting for permission. This resulted in an unacceptable and unsafe practice. Drivers would tip in an uncontrolled manner in an area where other vehicles were present, giving no opportunity to ensure a safe and controlled tipping zone.
The solution was to introduce a traffic light system that would stop the tippers before they entered the stocking bays. It was also necessary for the shovel driver to be able to control the lights and to have some way of checking whether the lights were on green or red.
A second-hand traffic light was purchased and customised, so it operated as a simple stop (red) or go (green) sign. A remote control was fitted so the traffic light could be operated by the
loading shovel operative. A small green flashing light was installed behind the traffic lights, so the shovel operator would know when the light was on green.
BENEFITS
- The yard is a safer environment
- Shovel operative has more room to work
- Better control of vehicle movements around site
- Safer tipping zone for lorries
- No reported near misses since installation.