Kangaroo Island works staff have built an affordable mechanical device to replace the traditional way of constructing rubble footpaths, eliminating back breaking manual work that often resulted in back and shoulder injuries.
Traditionally, footpath pavement materials are placed manually with shovels and rakes assisted by a small loader. In most cases this is time consuming and physically demanding and does not produce good outcomes.
“The majority of back and other physical injuries are caused by incorrect manual handling by workers,” said Council’s Construction Services Team Leader, Ian Woolard. “If the heavy work tasks are replaced with machinery, the risk can then be eliminated.”
The paver not only saves substantial costs but improves productivity and product quality. It comprises a metal frame as a material holding tray, adjustable side skids, bracing bars, a back levelling board and connectors. It is designed to be pushed by a loader’s front bucket forming the path.
A higher quality product is achieved by the levelling bar and side skids, creating a smooth surface and accurately controlling and correcting path thickness, width and pavement density. The paver can be used on unevenly prepared base surfaces delivering a quality finish.
Paths built over the past 12 months achieved a smoother finish surface, saving an average 500 percent in labour and machinery component costs and reducing construction time by half.
The paver has the potential use for all Local Governments on footpath construction jobs and can be operated with most machinery owned by Councils.
Kangaroo Island Council took out the South Australian Local Government Association Mutual Liability Scheme’s Occupational Health and Safety Award last October. The award is judged on innovation and originality, the potential use for Local Government, safety benefits to the workplace and cost effectiveness.
Council will use the $22,000 prize money to improve workplace safety and upgrade employee amenities.
For further information contact Ken Liu, Technical Services Manager, on (08) 8553 0070.
