FINALIST - Safer Maintenance
Tarmac’s Wesley Quarry is a limestone quarry operating one dumptruck and two front loading shovels in addition to a tractor and a JCB. As part of the daily checks the operator inspects the tyres and confirms that they are fit for purposed whether they are ok or not ok.
Prior to the use of the automatic sensors the operator had only a visual inspection to determine the safety of the tyres. If the tyre pressures were incorrect the operator could not really tell, a loss of 5psi could result in excess tyre wear leading to a potential blowout. Previously, gauges had been fitted on the tyres which gave a visual readout but these were prone to getting covered in dirt and difficult to read.
The wheelnuts were also inspected visually to determine if they are tight which is not an ideal or accurate method. A wheel coming off a vehicle could easily lead to a fatal incident.
Watch the video to see how the system was updated to include a more automated system that significantly improved the monitoring of tyres