The risk is high for Asfinag employees when they work outside. Now an invention by Knittelfeld is providing greater security across the country.
Asfinag employees ensure safety on Styrian motorways and motorways on a daily basis. One of the most dangerous jobs is installing traffic cones (“cones”) – for example, when lanes narrow on construction sites.
Previously, an employee hung from a route bus wearing a harness and placed the cones. Or he was in a basket on the back of a light truck.
‘No chance in a rear-end collision’
“But no solution was really certain. In a rear-end collision, the colleague would have no chance. It was clear to us that action was needed here,” says Armin Reumüller, head of the highway maintenance department in Knittelfeld.
The evaluation of the systems began in collaboration with the Technical University of Graz. Result: Only for the truck is it relatively safe to work. A rear shock absorber is provided to provide additional safety.
“Happy very good guys”
“We started tinkering in one of our halls,” says “Düsentrieb” Reumüller. Colleagues also came by after work to help with the development of the prototype. “Everyone was curious. Fortunately, we have a lot of young people in the team.”
And the result after six months is impressive: the employees can now set up up to 140 cones while sitting in a metal basket at the front of the truck. A hip belt and a back protector provide extra safety.
The prototype was manufactured by Kurt Wirnsberger, an Asfinag employee with a vibrant past as a coachbuilder. The first 34 devices were delivered to motorway maintenance depots throughout Austria in mid-February, with the rest to follow in the course of the year. “And that was certainly not our last idea,” says Reumüller with a proud smile.
Source: Krone
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