Making billboard installations safer

Injuries sustained by workers installing billboard signage near overhead powerlines have prompted an innovative new safety measure.

After witnessing some very serious electrical incidents in the industry, Bishopp Billboard Constructions’ management and installers developed a billboard structure design which reduces the risk of a worker or their tools coming into contact with overhead powerlines.

The design features a rear gantry walkway allowing work to be done behind the billboard’s face, away from powerlines. Additionally, changes to the design of the sail track eliminate the possibility of the worker accidentally feeding equipment into the overhead lines.

The billboard structure is being rolled out to all Bishopp billboard structures close to overhead powerlines. Robust safe work methods, signage and a new brochure on working near powerlines (developed with support from the Electrical Safety Office) complement the design changes.

The billboard structure invention took home top honours in the electrical safety category in the Safe Work and Return to Work Awards 2017.

Other organisations that have developed a solution to an identified workplace electrical safety issue in the last year are urged to enter the Safe Work and Return to Work Awards 2018. Entries could be a product, design/engineering innovation, training program, awareness-raising activity or other risk-control measure. Nominations close 6 July 2018.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/gui yong nian