It is reported that industrial safety specialist Troax UK Limited has installed over 1 kilometer of its Safe Fix machine fencing to protect staff working near a new rail inspection line at Corus' Scunthorpe steelworks. The project was part of a GBP 130 million investment program to establish a new, world class rail manufacturing and service facility at the site.

To ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations, Troax designed and installed an extensive machine fencing layout using its Safe-Fix wire mesh panel system, completely enclosing the heavy, automated machinery on the new inspection line and preventing unauthorized access to the guarded area.

The project presented a number of challenges, in particular the need to accommodate the 120 meters sections of track on the inspection line and provide sufficient access at the end of the line to lift the rails in and out of the safety enclosure. Safe Fix's modular design was a huge advantage in this respect, allowing Troax to design the fencing system to closely follow the height of the line itself so that rails do not have to be lifted any more than necessary.

Troax also incorporated a number of intricate fencing configurations within the layout to provide inspection areas and accommodate large pieces of heavy machinery. Again, Safe Fix's modular design offered a flexible solution, enabling the machine guarding to be easily adapted to incorporate these potentially awkward areas within the fencing runs.

Safe ix fencing meets all relevant Health &Safety legislation as well as European Norms & Directives. Its modular wire mesh panels are constructed from steel tube for rigidity and strength. The panels' small mesh size of 100mm x 23mm also allows close positioning to equipment, maximizing the use of space while meeting safe distance requirements.

Corus manufactures approximately 500,000 tonnes per annum of rail and track products in the UK and France for customers such as Network Rail and SNFC. The new facility will enable the company to expand its product range and in particular, to produce lengths of rail up to 120 meters long, the first time that this has been possible in the UK.

(Sourced from www.mhwmagazine.co.uk)