Maintaining bridges can be dangerous work but, by adapting existing machinery, the Beaudesert Shire has made it much safer.
There are about 120 timber bridges in the Shire, requiring maintenance by Council’s Shire Bridge Gang. To ensure their safety, bridge workers have been advised to erect scaffolding or hand rails. Various options were analysed.
Scaffolding creek banks was deemed costly and environmentally undesirable. Unstable foundations and the need to call in a certified scaffolder added to the problems. Erecting side rails on bridge kerbs was also rejected as kerbs are often removed to work on the deck of the bridge.
Likewise erecting a flying fox with cables across the creek does not give workers enough flexibility to work on all sections of the bridge. Cables interfere with cranes and other machinery, and the cable system still requires certification by a qualified rigger. Other options including hiring an under bridge unit or a personnel platform on a crane, were too costly.
The best alternative was to attach a personnel platform to an excavator. The excavator was already on site for cutting side tracks, carrying out site earthworks and other work.
Feedback from Workplace Health and Safety advisers suggested this option should only be pursued if Council could find a way to ensure the excavator’s hydraulic hose did not burst, causing the jib to fall quickly and injuring the staff working below.
A Brisbane based firm, FACT, came to the rescue by supplying a suitable hose. The next step was to add a personnel platform with a remote control and hand rails, toe boards and other equipment to comply with the Workplace Health and Safety Act. This allows staff to move the platform, while working from it.
The equipment will be added to Council’s Komatsu excavator at a total cost of $29,200. It can be easily transferred to another machine when the current excavator is replaced.
Council staff are confident the platform will provide the safest, most cost effective solution to ensuring a safe work environment. Believed to be a first for Australia, Council staff and industry onlookers look forward to its commissioning in March.
For further information contact Manager Council Works Department Gary Williams, telephone (07) 5540 5196
