The "Raising the Bar" standards for plant and equipment reflect National Highways' commitment to maintaining high safety and operational standards across construction and maintenance projects. This guidance outlines specific requirements for various equipment types, emphasizing hazard elimination, isolation, engineering controls, and risk minimization. These requirements apply to all equipment used within National Highways projects and must be observed by contractors and operators to ensure a safe working environment.
Each type of plant and equipment is subject to a set of minimum standards, including daily inspections, appropriate safety measures, and compliance with regulatory frameworks such as LOLER and PUWER. The guidance further specifies conditions for safe operation, including visibility enhancements, roll-over protection, and the use of anti-crush systems. Additionally, the document addresses the use of safety technologies like 3D machine control, exclusion zones, and audible warnings to enhance operational safety.
Specific requirements are provided for equipment ranging from excavators and cranes to compressors and telehandlers. Each equipment category includes mandatory safety features, operator competency requirements, and emergency protocols, reflecting National Highways' dedication to minimizing risks associated with plant-person interface (PPI) and enhancing site safety protocols.
Overview of General Minimum Requirements (GMR)
The General Minimum Requirements (GMR) are foundational safety and operational standards applied to all types of plant and equipment used on construction and highway sites. These requirements are designed to ensure safe operations, reduce
The 180° Excavator / Backhoe is a crucial piece of equipment for construction and excavation work, commonly used on National Highways sites for various tasks such as digging, lifting, and material handling. The following outlines the key specifications, safety protocols, and operational requirements as stipulated in the National Highways Raising the Bar 1 Plant and Equipment guidance document.
Raising The Bar Guidance - Forward & Side Tipping Dumper Equipment Requirements
The Forward and Side Tipping Dumper is a compact, powerful vehicle designed to transport and unload materials in a controlled manner, either directly forward or to the side. This machine is a common
Raising The Bar Guidance - Mini Excavator (<10T) Equipment Requirements
The Mini Excavator, a compact and versatile piece of equipment, is indispensable on construction sites for smaller-scale excavation and trenching tasks. Its reduced footprint allows it to navigate tight spaces,
Raising The Bar Guidance - Tracked 360° Excavator (>10T) Equipment Requirements
The Tracked 360° Excavator is a powerful and versatile machine capable of rotating a full 360 degrees, enabling operators to excavate and lift materials from any direction around the machine. This
Raising The Bar Guidance - Wheeled 360° Excavator (>10T) Equipment Requirements
The Wheeled 360° Excavator is a robust and versatile machine capable of full 360° rotation, allowing operators to excavate, lift, and move materials around the machine’s entire perimeter. With its wheeled
Raising The Bar Guidance - Crawler Crane Equipment Requirements
The Crawler Crane is a heavy-duty lifting machine mounted on an undercarriage with tracks, providing stability and mobility across rough terrains. It is integral to large-scale construction projects, where lifting heavy
Raising The Bar Guidance - Lorry Loader Crane Equipment Requirements
The Lorry Loader Crane, a versatile vehicle-mounted crane, is commonly used to load and unload materials directly from the lorry bed, making it highly valuable on construction and highway projects. This equipment
Raising The Bar Guidance - Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Equipment Requirements
The Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) is essential for providing safe access to high or hard-to-reach work areas on construction and highway projects. It enables operators to perform tasks such
The Mixer Truck is essential for transporting and delivering concrete to construction sites, ensuring the material is properly mixed and ready for use upon arrival. Due to the heavy loads it carries and the nature of its rotating drum, the mixer truck presents unique operational challenges, including load stability and manoeuvrability in confined areas. National Highways' "Raising the Bar 1" guidelines outline stringent requirements to ensure the safe and compliant operation of mixer trucks on all projects.