As the year draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on what a ride it has been! 2020 was a period like no other, as Covid-19 brought with it unprecedented challenges for all industries. During a time where social distancing and elbow bumps became the new norm, we are proud to have played our part in protecting New Zealanders from harm.
After the obstacles faced over the past 12 months, it’s inspiring to look back on the progress we’ve made together in creating safer workplaces and communities. For this blog, we asked our team members which projects have been their highlights in 2020. Below you’ll find examples of challenges that were overcome by our ongoing commitment to tailored safety solutions and innovation.
Flexible barrier solution on high traffic Seeka Oakside site
Brendan McLean| Sales Director
Challenge faced
Seeka is one of New Zealand’s largest produce providers, with a fully-integrated orchard-to-market approach. Their Oakside branch in the Bay of Plenty is the company’s largest post-harvest kiwifruit packhouse and coolstore facility.
The company identified areas of risk that they needed to address, particularly around traffic management. As they have a big site with lots of moving forklifts, they wanted to keep pedestrian movements in safe zones and restrict access to high-volume vehicle areas. In addition to this, they were facing increased costs with having to replace and repaint their steel barriers from forklift damage on an ongoing basis.
Proposed solution
We scoped Seeka’s problem areas and delivered a tailored solution with support of a visual mock-up. We recommended installation of a new generation flexible barrier, the innovative d-flexx barrier system. This system helps separate pedestrians and vehicles around the site and is a good fit in this environment as the polymer material is shock-absorbent and highly impact-resistant.
Outcome
Implementing our d-flexx solution has allowed Seeka to move people around the site safely, out of the way of forklifts and drivers. The d-flexx barriers help protect staff, vehicles and themselves by taking the impact in the case of a collision. As d-flexx lasts longer, as well as being a lot stronger and safer to use, Seeka now does not have regular repair and maintenance costs on their barriers.
Why was this project most interesting to you?
After Vanguard became the exclusive stockists of d-flexx systems in New Zealand, Seeka Oakside site was the first site we installed these on. Seeka has a “Safety Always” approach to protecting their workforce of several thousand and we were glad to have provided an innovative and effective solution for their high-traffic site. It’s truly a superior barrier system and it was excellent to see it implemented on this scale.
Fibreglass Road Plates for Efficient Trench Covering
Oliver McLean | Business Development Manager
Challenge faced
A well-known road services provider had a project which involved digging a trench across the road to install drainage pipes. As part of their traffic management plan, they needed to cover the trench at the end of the day to open the road for vehicles overnight. Typically they would use steel road plates, however as this project was located on a narrow street, it was going to be difficult to get a Hiab truck into the street to unload these. Because of this, they began investigating alternative ways to cover their trench.
Proposed solution
The client found our steel-reinforced fibreglass road plates after a search online and discussed their project requirements with one of our consultants. We recommended using the modular fibreglass road plate system, as these can be installed by two people so they could cover their trench quickly and safely without needing to get a truck into the street. In addition, they wouldn’t need to pour asphalt ramps up to the plates, and due to the speed of installation, they could gain another hour of operational time, rather than having to stop work earlier to allow time for steel plates to be unloaded, placed and uplifted again the following day.
Outcome
They purchased a set of fibreglass road plates for their project and were able to quickly and easily cover their trench at the end of the workday to open the road up for vehicle traffic. They gained additional operational time due to the speed of setting these up and also reduced their traffic management costs as they did not need to keep the road closure in place for as long. They also reported that vehicles were driving slower through their site as a result of the bright yellow plates and the ‘speed hump effect’ that they provide. The anti-slip surface also made these much safer for cyclists to traverse rather than slippery steel plates.
Why was this project most interesting to you?
By using our modular fibreglass road plate system which is an NZTA approved device, our client increased their work efficiency, decreased their overall project cost and gained safety advantages on their worksite. Bringing innovative solutions such as these to the market, we are helping our clients be more successful and safe on their work sites.
Skipper Belts for Covid-19 Response at Christchurch Airport
Bronté Frizzel | Sales Consultant
Challenge faced
Christchurch International Airport reached out to us in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, as they needed the safe social distancing of passengers from overseas repatriation flights that were arriving at the airport. Staff had been using cones, however found these heavy and inconvenient to set up. As these areas needed to be rearranged most days, they required a solution that was easy to adjust and move.
Proposed solution
We worked with the client to investigate possible options for safe and visible separation of passengers and recommend a solution that would stand up to rigorous use, while still being practical and cost-effective.
Outcome
We recommended our Skipper Retractable 9m Belt, complete with the Post and Base, to create a continuous line of delineation. Feedback from the customer was that they are working “extremely well”. Using the posts with water/sand fillable bases ensured it was more stable, easier and quicker set up time than the cones.
Why was this project most interesting to you?
This project really stood out to me because of the unique situation – being a pivotal supplier to an airport in the middle of a global pandemic, where they are helping our fellow kiwis get home safely, all while working from home!
NZ Post Christchurch Urgent Walkway Safety Measures
Brendan McLean| Sales Director
Challenge faced
New Zealand Post were building a brand new site in Christchurch and contacted us as they required the addition of safe walkway solutions for their workers. This job was urgent in nature as there was only a short timeframe that the installation could be completed before the opening date.
Proposed solution
We scoped out the site’s walkways and hazards with all key stakeholders and recommended a practical traffic barrier system that would create safe walkways for pedestrians throughout. Vans backing up towards the walkway were identified as a specific site hazard, therefore heavy-duty barriers were installed to provide an extra level of protection.
Outcome
New Zealand Post added 170 metres of walkway protection to their new Christchurch site to safely guide staff around. The team worked with urgency on this project due to the tight time frame required. Once signed off, it was only 19 days from production of the barriers, to installation and hand over!
Why was this project most interesting to you?
I enjoyed this project because it was a brand new site and a blank canvas, so to see the site before and after installation was extremely satisfying. Also being able to complete this project for our client in a short space of time to allow them to open on their required date was a bonus!
Throughout 2020 and the subsequent challenges brought on by a global pandemic, we were able to deliver some of our most innovative product solutions and help improve safety and workplace efficiency for many clients. For more examples of our recent work to inspire you, check out the Projects page of our website.
From consultations with well-known national companies to small niche product requirements, we’re proud to have stood between New Zealanders and harm over the past 12 months. If you would like to discuss a tailored solution for your site with one of our experienced team members, please complete the form below.
