3 minute read
The Issue with Metal Road Pins
RJW Engineering was set with the task of overhauling an old antiquated system that had danger written all over it
Why are we using metal road pins on a network driven by electricity? This was the question presented to NWR, and the answer was simply, we don’t know! Currently, metal road pins are either driven into the ground (cat scan required), driven into sand bags that lose the sand once pierced, wedged between bricks or logs or whatever can be found lying around. There is no set system, it’s whatever goes. The safety netting is often left loose, just falling over, therefore resulting in little to no protection.
Let’s address the main issue – metal road pins. This will seriously injure or kill someone if it strikes a cable, visit the website in the contact information section to watch the NWR safety video which explains all.
RJW Engineering decided immediately to move away from a conductive material, the metal road pins. If these were to be driven into the ground then they needed to be non-conductive. The trials soon showed the recyclable plastic road pin with its cross section design was very effective, RJW Engineering’s team then replaced the sharp point of the metal road pin with a much safer rounded bull nose.
The way the netting was hung over the hook was also questioned, this has now been replaced with a unique slotted end allowing the netting to be located within the road pin, this also added a big advantage when storing and transporting the pins, now taking up far less room and not becoming tangled with each other.
There is now a replacement for the metal road pin, but know it’s not always going to be driven into the ground. The sandbags currently used are a disposal commodity, and the use of bricks, logs or whatever can be found is totally unacceptable.
Staying with a recyclable plastic, RJW Engineering designed a tapered base so it can be turned to accommodate a flat or slopping surface. A central slot was added to locate the road. Given the storage and transport has been improved for the road pin, the team then added a small locating boss and recess to the new non-conductive base enabling them to be stacked on top of each other and held in place, now giving compact easy storage alongside the nonconductive road pins.
This new patented system is now fully non-conductive, easier to store, transport and deploy. Each and every deployment is a uniform system across the board, and will meet health and safety standards.
An additional lighting system located in the slotted end of the road pin is also available. In conjunction with Birmingham university this system is now readily available creating a safe working environment for staff, workers and customers. For more information get in touch via the contact information below.
Tel: 01384 442852
Fax: 01384 442920
Mobile: 07860 588918
Email: RJWEng@BTinternet.com
Visit: rjwengneering.co
Address: 70 Walker Avenue, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 9EL
