Guarding the Elbow
This article appears in the Fall 2025 print edition of NAPA Quarterly. Subscribe here.
N.B. WEST CONTRACTING CO. EARNS NAPA AWARD FOR THEIR PROTECTIVE GUARDS FOR PAVING OPERATORS
During an investigation into an incident where an asphalt paving operator was struck on the elbow by the sideview mirror of a passing dump truck, N.B. West Contracting Co. learned this had not been an isolated incident.
In fact, other operators had been struck in recent years in similar ways due to the operator seat on the side of the paver.
N.B. West worked with a fabrication shop to weld guards onto the frame of the operator’s seat to provide protection for the operator no matter where the seat was positioned.
In the five months of operations with the new guards in place, N.B. West reported zero incidents or near misses. The company’s nimble response to this safety concern earned it NAPA’s 2024 Asphalt Safety Innovations Award.
FINALISTS
LEHMAN-ROBERTS, A GRANITE CO. GALLAGHER ASPHALT
Lehman-Roberts, A Granite Co. and Gallagher Asphalt were both recognized as finalists for their lock-out, tag-out systems in their approaches to hazardous energy controls and confined spaces, respectfully.
P.J. KEATING CO., A CRH COMPANY
P.J. Keating Co., a CRH company, received finalist recognition for its Fall Prevention Platform System (FPPS) for tankers, which was designed and implemented by an employee. The FPPS eliminates the need to use the ladder system on the side of the tanker while providing safe access to the hatch on top.
