Tarmac launches safety innovation

National Road Planing (NRP), Tarmac’s road planing contractor has developed a new lighting solution to highlight safety zones around planing machines.

NRP has installed the state-of-the-art high-intensity lights as part of a trial to help operatives visualise the  ‘5+2 protection zone’ - a five-metre exclusion area in the direction of travel and a two-metre exclusion zone to the side of all plant.

The technology, which forms part of Tarmac’s corporate commitment to zero harm was sourced by NRP’s team.

Following a successful trial and feedback from operatives, NRP is set to fit the technology to its fleet of 12 planing machines over the next year.

Commenting on the importance of the technology, Nick Angelou, general manager at NRP, said: “Planing works typically take place at night and highways sites can become congested with planers, hauliers, pavers, rollers and operatives all working in close proximity. The development of this solution has come directly from our team after they identified the need and sourced the equipment.

“We believe that there is great scope to make this technology standard across the industry and will work collaboratively with partners to share this best practice.”

As part of Tarmac’s commitment to driving industry health and safety best practice and collaboration, NRP is already championing the technology to highways supply chain partners and clients. Among other areas, the initiative is being adopted on the M25 network.