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Royal Canadian Mint,
Winnipeg, Canada

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Made-to-fit Fibrelite covers provide safe simple access solution for the Royal Canadian Mint

Project overview

At the Royal Canadian Mint, conveyor belts and other machinery runs below floor level to conserve space. These require frequent access for monitoring and maintenance. In the search for a safer simpler alternative to previously installed heavy steel panels, they approached Fibrelite.

Problem

Previously installed heavy diamond plate panels covered under floor conveyor belts and other ancillary equipment within the facility. These were challenging and potentially hazardous for users to remove and replace. Lifting equipment was required, and care had to be taken by users to avoid the large number of pinch points.

Replacement panels were required in load ratings for forklifts (Light Duty – 28,000lbs/B125) and non-forklift areas (Medium Light Duty – 11,200lbs) to fit into existing apertures. Consideration was also given to colors colours and markings to indicate different facility areas.

Heavy steel diamond plate panels
Heavy steel diamond plate panels
Underfloor conveyor in trench takes products from presses to packaging
Underfloor conveyor in trench takes products from presses to packaging

Solution

Fibrelite designed and manufactured custom fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) (GRP) composite trench covers to fit directly into existing apertures. Due to Fibrelite covers’ unrivaled unrivalled strength to weight ratio, all trench covers can be safely and quickly removed by two people using the FL7 lifting handle. This ensures safe lifting from waist height (as recommended by Health and Safety Authorities) eliminating pinch points and potential back injuries.

For forklift areas (Light Duty – 28,000lbs/B125) black (FRP) (GRP) covers were manufactured, while for non-forklift areas (Medium Light Duty – 11,200lbs) (FRP) (GRP) covers were produced in a custom light gray with a raised no-forklift graphic on top.

Lightweight Fibrelite (FRP) (GRP) trench covers allow easy safe manual removal
Lightweight Fibrelite (FRP) (GRP) trench covers allow easy safe manual removal

“…The new (FRP) (GRP) composite panels worked out well. Our people are really happy with the way they perform. These lightweight panels do not require strenuous effort to remove and replace and has completely eliminated the risks of employee injuries when performing this task.”

Tuan Luong, Senior Facilities Engineer, Royal Canadian Mint

Custom (FRP) (GRP) composite trench covers
Custom (FRP) (GRP) composite trench covers

Results

The new Fibrelite (FRP) (GRP) composite covers can be safely and quickly removed without the need for lifting equipment, eliminating risk of injury and increasing efficiency. Independent wet and dry tests carried out by Devon CC Materials Laboratory showed that Fibrelite manhole and trench covers – even when wet – have anti-slip/skid properties far exceeding health and safety advisory limits.

Following the success of this installation, the Royal Canadian Mint has decided to install Fibrelite covers in further areas of the facility.

Author:

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Jim Goodman

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