Sensor to protect asphalt crew members wins innovation award
A sensor activating the brakes of an asphalt roller to stop the machine within a metre of a crew member wearing an electronic tag has won an industry award for Boral.
The Australian Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA) presented Boral with the 2018 Innovation Award for South Australia at a gala dinner in Adelaide last week.
Boral piloted the sensor device in South Australia as part of a national initiative towards zero harm.
Boral National Asset Manager, Stuart Partridge worked with the Boral SA Team and proximity sensor supplier Strata, to develop and link the sensor system to the braking and hydraulic systems on the asphalt equipment. It is an adaptation of similar systems in use in above and below ground mining operations.
Boral took the lion’s share of the South Australian AAPA honours, receiving four of the six state awards.
Boral Business Development Manager Eric Rossi received the Industry Leadership Award.
“Eric’s unflinching focus on people and relationships is a key factor in his success as an individual and the businesses he works for,” said David Boots, State Manager Boral Asphalt South Australia.
“Eric's past roles have given him a customer perspective that is invaluable to our business. He has a solid understanding of what really drives our customers, and is also passionate about the technical side of the business, having done stints lecturing at TAFE over the years.”
“There are not many situations that can’t be resolved by a catch-up with Eric.”
The AAPA Emerging Leader Award was presented to South Australia and Northern Territory Spray Seal Operations Manager Dan Galeano, who started as a graduate eight years ago.
David said Dan had taken every opportunity to further his knowledge and experience of the industry, collaborated on high-profile interstate projects and had proven leadership qualities.
“Dan genuinely cares about his team and their safety and this is evident in the way he conducts himself,” David said. “He encourages a culture of safety first.”
“Resilience and perseverance mean that Dan is able to follow through in delivering outcomes in challenging situations,” David said.
Gepps Cross asphalt plant supervisor Tim Dickinson received the 2018 Safety Initiative Award for establishing a system automatically alerting the loader operator when trucks drive through a laser beam to enter the suburban Adelaide yard.
Prior to the alert’s introduction, the loader operator was reliant on material delivery trucks using a UHF radio to notify they were entering the yard.
“Tim brings an enthusiastic, team-focused approach,” Boral Asphalt South Australia Operations Manager Jack Arnold said. “He is happy to take on board feedback that his team provide to him, which he then works with them to resolve the raised problems.”
This video demonstrates how the sensor works when it recognises it's near an electronic tag: