How Con Edison Obtained Artistic Making Trailers Safer – Tools

Shortly after New York power firm Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) launched 10 aluminum trailers to its fleet, a driver raised a security and cargo securement concern. 

Not like the fleet’s earlier metal trailers, which included wooden and a non-slip coating to extend traction, the aluminum trailers solely had a slim band of wooden operating down both sides.  

The motive force advised that the massive pad-mounted transformers the corporate hauls, which might weigh many tons, may shift throughout transport in moist or windy situations.  

As an interim answer, Richard Stewart, a Con Edison environmental well being and security supervisor, issued an alert stating that, each time attainable, masses needs to be secured inside in a loading or receiving dock. Nevertheless, a extra everlasting long-term answer was required for a non-slip floor to permit secure, dependable load securement of supplies and gear.  

The fleet explored a number of prospects to enhance the traction of the trailer floor, together with standard anti-slip coatings. The corporate had tried such coatings previously however discovered some have been pricey, tough to put in, required lengthy curing occasions, or may very well be utilized solely to particular substrates, in keeping with Stewart.  

And like most issues within the fleet world, expediting the applying of the coating was vital as a result of Con Edison couldn’t afford extra fleet downtime. 

“Our fleet [of tractor-trailers] is in excessive demand as a result of we transport provides to clients, together with throughout emergencies or outages,” Stewart says. “So, we’d like the trailers again in service in a short time.” 

Stewart thought of the potential for a coating he had efficiently used for different purposes, together with in high-traffic areas on the firm’s receiving warehouse in Astoria; stairways within the Bronx; walkway ramps and dock loading ramps in Staten Island; and even plastic bumpers on the corporate’s utility vans.  

He knew this particular epoxy, Type-A-Tread Self Leveling, dried and cured quick. However the coating hadn’t but been utilized to a trailer mattress. First, they wanted additional testing to make sure the coating would stand up to the flexing and bowing of the trailer whereas transporting heavy masses.   

Stewart additionally needed to make sure the coating might stand as much as harsh climate situations and the wear-and-tear the trailer would endure over many miles. The group determined to carry out a trial of three to 6 months on one trailer.  

“The drivers cherished it as a result of even on wet, windy days, the coating improved security by offering adequate traction and footing [on the aluminum trailer beds],” Stewart says. “The improved traction additionally helped guarantee massive cargo wouldn’t shift on the trailer throughout transport.”