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NEWS
a-Plant
launches
revolutionary
vehicle fall
protection
system
A-Plant has introduced a new transport
initiative – a unique vehicle fall protection
system – which is already taking the
industry by storm. Through this initiative,
the company continues to provide its
customers with innovation and added
value even in times of economic
downturn and fierce competition.
Based on an idea originating from one
of A-Plant’s own long standing HGV
Drivers from Whitehaven, Cumbria, the
initiative, which centres around transport,
fall protection and worker safety, first
necessitated the creation of an initial
prototype to test the idea and understand
its value to both the organisation and the
industry.
To achieve this, A-Plant’s Transport
and Environmental, Health and Safety
Departments worked extensively
together to re-design and produce a
fully legislative and compliant vehicle
fall protection system. A huge research
and development study was carried out,
undertaking studies into UK transport
legislation and developing trial vehicles,
to ensure that the unique and industry
leading system was safe and within the
limits of the law.
The design of A-Plant’s new vehicle
fall protection system actually makes a
walkway down each side of the vehicle,
allowing the driver to safely enter or exit
an item of plant when loading/unloading,
especially beneficial where the item is
the same width as the vehicle.
The system is simple to deploy; in basic
terms, the tension is removed from the
straps, the chains disconnected, side
under-run guards lifted, supports pulled
out, additional walkways slotted in, posts
4
April 2011
re-positioned and the tension re-applied
to the straps. In total it only takes five
minutes to deploy each side, creating a
safer, more accessible and sturdy area
for the worker.
Shaun Winstanley, Director of A-Plant’s
Transport Services said: “This new
system has already taken the industry by
storm. With vehicles on trial across the
country, the benefits of the system are
already starting to show. Workers have
an increased confidence when loading
and unloading items of plant and feel
safe when using the system. It is our
mission to constantly evolve and improve
our products and services and this is no
exception.”