No contractor wants to deal with delays, safety hazards, damaged utilities and legal actions. The risk of such issues increases on a site with open trenches, unstable ground and improper site access. The solution? Road plates.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the situations where road plates become necessary in construction projects, the advantages of steel road plates and the common mistakes you can avoid to ensure safety on a construction site.
When to use road plates in construction
Covering trenches for site access
The most common use of road plates is to cover a trench or excavation to access the site without any danger. Road plates create a temporary road for trucks, heavy machinery, and workers, ensuring a safe path without slowing down the project.
Protecting underground utilities
Road plates also protect utilities like pipes and cables, and save them from damage during construction projects. If heavy loads or machines damage a pipe or cable, you, as the contractor, will face costly fines and risk shutting down the project.
Load distribution on weak ground
Loose soil and weak ground can settle due to heavy machines like cranes and excavators. Loose ground not only slows down the project, but also traps machines, forcing workers to spend extra time and money recovering them. Road plates help distribute the load and ensure the machines are moving on a strong and stable surface with no risk of ground collapse.
Pedestrian safety
Mud, sludge and rocky roads can lead to falls and injuries. If you are working near an urban zone, you might need to install road plates to provide safe walkways to pedestrians and workers.
Dealing with weather challenges
If rain or extreme weather leaves the ground muddy and slippery, you may have to delay or temporarily stop your project. You can install road plates to maintain safe access to the site and continue working despite the weather conditions.
Advantages of Using Steel Road Plates in Construction Projects
High strength and load capacity
Steel plates are stronger and can bear more load than composite or plastic road plates. It makes them the primary choice for construction projects. They can handle the weight of heavy loads and machines without bending or cracking.
Long-term durability
Steel plates are highly durable and can withstand rain, snow and extreme weather conditions. Like every machine or tool, they need maintenance, and with that slight care, they last for years, no matter how vigorously they are used.
Reliability and safety
Due to their high strength and durability, steel plates offer safety and reliability in heavy-duty applications. Even if the plate is old and has been used repeatedly before, if it shows no visible signs of damage and the plate was properly maintained, you can be sure of its safety and support.
Cost-effectiveness
Steel plates are highly affordable if you are renting. Their upfront cost of purchase is high. However, if you need road plates frequently and for long durations, buying would be worth it in the long run. If that’s not the case, then hiring steel road plates is the most cost-effective option.
Versatility
Steel plates come in different sizes and thicknesses, making them suitable for multiple applications and construction projects. The same plate that is used to cover a trench can be used for restoring a walkway and road, offering a safe route to machines.
Road plate mistakes to avoid
You can avoid the following and many other challenges and mistakes with road plates by reaching out to Legend Hire. We are available for you at every step of the process. From guiding to hiring, delivering and installing the road plates, we ensure our customers don’t have to deal with any hassle.
Using undersized plates
When selecting the road plate size, get a plate that is slightly larger than the area to be covered. The road plates are secured to the ground. A shorter plate means there will not be enough ground space to secure and support the road plate edges.
Improper placement and securing
The road plate should be properly aligned on the trench and secured with the right tools and equipment. Improper fastenings can cause the plate to move when exposed to load.
Skipping regular inspections
Although steel plates are durable and do not get damaged easily, they still should be regularly inspected. A quick visible check, ensuring the plate is secure and the edges are safe, should be conducted daily.
Ignoring local regulations
If your area has any specific requirements for the thickness or size of the road plates, never ignore them. These requirements are for everyone’s safety, and failing to comply can lead to legal actions.
Hire heavy-duty road plates for construction projects
Legend Hire is your trusted partner for construction equipment rental. We provide heavy-duty road plates for hire in multiple sizes and thicknesses, along with complete support and installation services by our experienced team. With Legend Hire, safety is not a concern as our road plates are according to Australian standards, properly maintained, and installed on your site by our experienced team.
Explore our recent road plate projects and hear from our customers, highlighting how we supported tehma t every step of the process.