| safe bitumem handling at Hillwood Quarry |
Description
Tarmac’s new coating plant at Hillwood Quarry incorporates a wide range of safety features. The bitumen delivery system has a single fill point and, rather than taking pressurised delivery from a delivery vehicle, the plant features a suction pump that empties bitumen from the vehicle’s tank.
Other key safety features are:
A two-way intercom allowing clear communication between the delivery driver and the plant operator
Dual high level alarms and digital tank level indication with ‘traffic light’ visual indication
Suction pump emergency stop
Improved CCTV and lighting
A frost-proof safety shower complete with an alarm that sounds on activation
A one-way system around the coating plant for all traffic
Designated parking areas for delivery vehicles and safety barriers around the delivery area
A combination of handrails and a warning sign with flashing lights that are actuated while the fill pump is in use to keep pedestrians clear from the bitumen delivery area
A standard operating procedure to allow the ultimate high level alarm to be tested manually to ensure the system is always fully operational.
The new bitumen delivery system was set up in conjunction with health & safety and delivery personnel from Nynas, the company’s bitumen supplier, to ensure the best configuration.
Benefits
1.Minimal risk of high pressure, high temperature bitumen escaping from the fill point
2.The plant operator can both see and communicate with the delivery driver at all times
3.Emergency stop and an alarm on the safety shower if a problem arises
4.One-way and a separate parking area keeps all other traffic away from deliveries
5.Pedestrians, even on the ‘blind’ side of the plant, are made aware of bitumen deliveries.
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