Our Quarry and Asphalt Division are the first to use the new Salmor 'Guardian' goalposts to warn of the presence of overhead power lines and to maintain a safe stand-off distance and prevent line strikes. From an initial idea developed and trialled in-house by the Division, production and marketing of the new goalpost system has been passed to Salmor Industries Limited.
The new system uses lightweight telescopic poles and stable but man-handleable bases. The poles extend to 6m in height, giving the warning bunting plenty of clearance above the minimum required in Chapter 8. The red and white poles conform to the requirements of GS6.
Compared to the previous industry arrangements which involved making goalposts from old lorry wheels filled with concrete, and lengths of bendy plastic pipes, transporting, zipping-up and rigging-down the new goalposts is an absolute dream to those involved. Michael Scullion, one of our engineers who has extensively trialled the system says with some enthusiasm "The new goalpost system provides a light-weight solution to the ongoing problem of overhead cables. The ease of transportation and erection on site has managed to change the mind-set of those that use them".
The new system inspired one of our contracts managers, Colin Magwood, to go further and kit out the line with fairy lights for night-time work on the motorway.
We are pleased that this safety innovation looks to have widespread appeal and take-up across the whole of the road construction industry.
