Back Blade Protector

Completed

Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (General Engineering and Mineral & Mining Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Northern Gas Networks

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 December 2016

01 January 2017

3 months

£11,642

Technical Consultancy

Yorkshire & Humberside

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Northern Gas Networks

The objective is to test and validate the back blade protectors and make sure they are fit for purpose and then promote the solution as best practice across the network in all work streams and promote its possibilities to other networks. Throughout the trial we will develop the back blade protector to make it user friendly and easy to fit to the majority of mini excavator. Gain the confidence of the operators in the new equipment and gain their approval. Review the 3 month trial. The project will be deemed a success if the following criteria are met: - Reduction in defects. Less Customer complaints. Sign on from our stakeholders (Local authorities). Reduction in revisits to sites to undertake ‘cut outs’ for scaring on the highway surface. A cost benefit for the new equipment. Time saving on dealing with site meetings. Less damage to the trailers from the back blade (on access and egress). Reduce impact on the environment.

When excavating using a mini excavator, the operator must put the back blade on the ground for stability. This operation can cause marking of the highway. This marking becomes more of a problem in warm weather and hard ground conditions. This problem can be unsightly and can be defected by the local authority, also it has led to customer complaints. This can impact on our company image. Currently when scaring takes place, the only way to rectify it is by undertaking a further reinstatement where all the work has to be guaranteed for at least two years. If the council inspectors defect the work through scaring, this can impact on our stakeholder relationship and can potentially lead to an improvement notice.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

21/03/18