Construction is a dangerous industry. Although the construction industry employs just 5% of the total number or workers in Britain it is where 27% of workplace-related fatal injuries occur, and 9% of major injuries.
A good level of health and safety can be achieved by having a clean site which is free from muddy, bogged down ground. Vehicles, plant and machinery require a sturdy surface, so the lack of a specially designed roadway surface can mean that they pose the serious hazard of slipping.
But when all the focus is on dangerous machinery and vehicles it can be easy to forget the biggest hazard; slips, trips and falls. We might tend to associate these kind of accidents with supermarket spillages but in reality they can happen anywhere. Slips, trips and falls cause nearly a quarter of all injuries in the construction workplace; costing employers millions in sick days and compensation.
Taking time to think about temporary roadways will not only improve safety but help to keep the site clean: essential for a happy client. Clients often point out ground damage, which construction project managers often dismiss as unavoidable. But there are a number of easy and cheap ways for site managers to keep a construction site clean, free from erosion and with optimum safety and cleanliness levels, the main one of which is by using temporary roadways.
Ground protection such as TuffTrak? is specially designed to be hard-wearing for environments such as construction sites. TuffTrak? is a system of heavy duty roadmats, connected with a simple ‘drop in’ bolt system. The mats can be hired or bought to cover an area as big or as small as you require; whether you want to create a short access road or completely cover the ground of the site.
TuffTrak? can be used by multiple vehicles simultaneously, confidently supporting loads up to 150 tonnes and is virtually indestructable. It will create an easy driveway for vehicles, reducing the risk of them slipping in wet or muddy conditions. Its specially designed anti slip surface has been tested in laboratories for effectiveness. The grips of the road mats form a chevron pattern, which has been found to give maximum grip and effective mud dispersion. TuffTrak? therefore not only provides a strong grip for vehicles, but for pedestrians too; reducing the number of workplace slips, trips and falls and injuries caused by slipping machinery or vehicles. Site managers also find TuffTrak?’s raised surface level even creates stability on uneven ground, another main cause of slips, trips and falls.
The maximum strength temporary roadways reduce the damage to groundways and grass, avoiding erosion, rutting and boggy ground. As well as building a safer environment, TuffTrak? leaves turf and ground in a condition nearly as good as before work started, meaning it is much more aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. The mat is chemically inert, making it ideal for eco-sensitive or heritage sites. It is also non-conductive and maintains safety levels when electrical work is carried out.
So for optimum health and safety on a construction site consider using TuffTrak? temporary road mats.
Zigma Ground Solutions specialise in hiring and selling temporary ground protection, including TuffTrak? roadmats.
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