Engineered for fast-paced environments, Meridian’s Archer Guard system is helping workers stay safe on bridge, arterial road, utility projects and more. Applications in the United States point towards success here in Australia.
The transport and construction industries continue to have among the highest number of workplace fatalities in Australia, due to high-risk environments, but also the dangers posed by potential vehicle incidents.
Its Meridian’s opinion that workplace barriers have never been more effective. Meridian takes pride in engineering high quality barriers for work zones across virtually all industries.
Just one of the company’s flagship products is the Archer Guard, a barrier system designed for protecting workers on foot and surpassing standards.
The toughest of these standards is the MASH (Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware) TL One, Two and Three requirements.
Barriers that achieve MASH TL-Three testing are certified to stop vehicles travelling at speeds up to 100 kilometres per hour, while also ensuring the safety of the driver upon impact.
The Archer Guard is also reusable after such impacts, requiring zero maintenance. This is thanks, in part, to the implementation of advanced kinetic energy absorption technology that helps to reduce the shock on impact.
This is further backed by a 25-year warranty.
Not only is the barrier highly effective on impact. Eric Alms, President – Meridian Rapid Defense Group says he’s witnessed first-hand how effective the system can be in creating behavioural change from drivers, further increasing safety.
“A barrel, type three barricade, half-filled water barricade or cone doesn’t mitigate. It’s a visual signal to guide traffic, but it doesn’t mitigate traffic from the danger,” he says.
“I was out on site recently, and the minute we put our barriers up, the speed of the traffic dropped dramatically, but there was no change in the speed limit and signs. All the drivers saw and acknowledged the barrier and that created a change. Most of the time when there’s cones or lightweight barrels, no one slows down.”
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Another major benefit has been the mobile nature of the system.
“When you look at our product, the number one differentiator is that it’s just stronger than what’s out there,” Alms says.
“The number two differentiator is that the deployment process is fast, easy and can be done by one person. You don’t need heavy equipment, and you can move it in and out very quickly.”
These benefits have been especially prevalent in the many projects where the Archer Guard has been deployed.
Whether it be ramp closures, bridge work, full freeway closures, or underground and overhead work, the Archer Guard has emerged as a favourite for bridge contractors, engineering firms, paving companies, and utility companies.
One project that stands out was works that took place on the I-94 Freeway in Detroit, Michigan, a major connection for one of the United States’ most iconic industrial regions.
Here, the Archer Guard was used during a freeway closure, to allow a bridge demolition to occur.
Both sides of the freeway, as well as five on ramps were closed for this complex, three-day project.
Barriers were loaded in and out multiple times to accommodate changing work phases, helping to successfully deliver the works, while optimising worker safety.
Another example was a roadway utility and excavation project. The Archer Guard was deployed where a large hole was dug on one side of a three-lane, one-way roadway, leaving one lane open to traffic.
The Archer Guard barriers significantly reduced vehicle speeds, aided by the visible deterrent it provided.
Alms says the Archer Guard’s effectiveness at both construction sites and public events shows why it’s important to use such a proven system in high-risk environments.
“When you’re saving lives every day in crowded spaces, it makes it very easy to ask contractors ‘if it’s capable of protecting thousands of people at a parade, why wouldn’t you protect five people at your work zone,’” he says.
“That potential lifesaving ability, that’s something that we’re very proud of.”
For each project, Meridian provides a full site of support services.
Rentals are managed directly by Meridian, not through distributors or resellers, ensuring high standards and customer support.
Alms says having no third parties involved also helps to ensure that each barrier system can meet and maintain specifications and safety standards.
This article was originally published in the November edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
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