“Sign Post Erector” Improves Safety for Sign Repair
Item #: 20230058
CONTACTS
Implementing Organization: Region Two- Sign and Guardrail Shop
Champion: Jayson Kesler
Implementation Lead: Jayson Kesler
Development Team: Jayson Kesler, Sign and Guardrail Shop Supervisor, Region Two
Article Written By: Winston Inoway
Innovation Team Coordinator: Winston Inoway
STATUS
Implementation Date: August 30, 2023
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: Inexpensive tool. Can be easily fabricated and distributed to other maintenance crews
APPLIES TO
Topic: Tools
Organization(s): Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4
Job Role(s): Transportation Technician
Tags: Highway transportation, labor productivity, employee empowerment, job satisfaction, occupational safety, inventions, maintenance, traffic safety > highway safety, trucking safety, sign repair
PROBLEM
Maintenance crews frequently have to replace and or remount the round sign posts in their area. To lift and move a sign post, they must wrap their hands and arms around the pole and lift and balance a considerable weight. It can take up to four employees to move and position a single pole. In the winter, snow and ice on the post makes this task even more difficult.
CHANGE
The Region Two Sign and Guardrail Shop developed a set of lightweight clamps that attach to round sign posts. These clamps make lifting and balancing posts easier and safer, and fewer workers are needed. The material cost to build a clamp is just under $10.00.
RESULT
New clamps make sign repair easier and safer for Maintenance crews. They also reduce the number of workers needed.
LINKS
IMPACT
BETTER MOBILITY
N/A
GOOD HEALTH
Reduces risk of injury
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
N/A
STRONG ECONOMY
Saves over 1,500 labor hours annually
EFFICIENCIES*
Labor Savings: 1,500 hours annually
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 65:1
*Benefits are estimated net of initial and ongoing expenses. Savings are averaged over the expected benefit life of the innovation. See details.