A new iteration of the A-Frame sign’s connection, designed to drastically reduce the risk of pinch point injuries, is set to be rolled out across the sector by Core Highways.

Manual handling is one of the highest causes of accidents and injuries within the temporary traffic management (TTM) industry.

Core’s SHEQ Team recently listened to some concerns from the workforce around the A-Frame signs that they handle every day. Specifically, their concerns were around the potential for fingers to be trapped in the mechanism, thus causing serious injury. There are a number of legacy product designs across the industry and Core sought to find a solution removes the risk of entrapment.

A taskforce was assembled to try and address the problem, resulting in the creation of a new product that works with existing signage and, does not affect the ability to stack the frames flat.

The newly designed A-Frames are starting to be rolled out across all Core Highways sites.

Simon Robinson, Group Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality at Core Highways, said: “Manual handling and pinch point injuries occur too frequently in low-speed temporary traffic management, resulting in some nasty debilitating injuries. Working with Cougar Developments and Brookes Tarpaulins, we have been able to design out this risk at source, removing one less thing to think about, and supporting our operatives who often work in high-risk environments. Something so simple will be effective in reducing these injuries, moving us all closer to the ultimate aspiration of zero harm.”