Allan Myers Crushes with Custom Safety Features

Editor’s Note: Allan Myers was recognized by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) as a 2018 finalist in the Operational Excellence Award in Asphalt Operations Safety Innovation. AsphaltPro magazine is proud to sponsor the industry’s safety award that recognizes superior safety practices using creative ideas and practical methods that lead to improved worker safety in a roadway, plant site or quarry setting.

When Allan Myers, Malvern, Pennsylvania, looked to buy its first portable crushing plant to yield stone gradation for two of its five quarries, safety was top-of-mind.

“We started the process early and spent a lot of time researching what equipment would work the best for our operation,” said John Shabrach, superintendent of operational services at Allan Myers. “This is our first portable operation, so it took several months of discussions internally and with the manufacturer to design this plant that meets our values and standards as a company.”

Allan Myers reviewed a computer-generated, 360-degree digital display of the portable crusher from KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens, Yankton, South Dakota. The team, consisting of Allan Myers’ health, safety and environmental team; operations team; and purchasing department, worked with the plant manufacturer to customize specific aspects. Shabrach explained the main focus was to eliminate ladders while maintaining safe access for maintenance activities.

Allan Myers replaced the ladders with rolling staircases and safety gates. The rolling staircases, with locking wheels, provide access to elevated platforms so workers can safely conduct maintenance.

“Allan Myers’ portable plant without ladders creates safe access to any part of our plants for maintenance or monitoring,” Shabrach said.

The stairs were made by one of Allan Myers’ vendors to their specifications, are universal, and are used for safe access to the crusher platform, screen plants, and to the electrical center platform. They are built so that there is no gap between the plant and the staircase to eliminate tripping/falling hazards. At the top of all stairs in the plants, self-closing safety gates were also incorporated that shut behind workers once the platform is accessed.

Allan Myers also extended the catwalk platform on the screen plants over the drive motors and 6 feet past the screen, alongside the chute work.

“In the manufacturer’s original design, the catwalk stopped right at the motor,” Shabrach said. “The design was changed so workers can safely access the sides of the screens to adjust gates and perform maintenance activities.”

According to Shabrach, these customizations are now options for all customers who purchase screen plants from KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens. They also resulted in Allan Myers’ recognition as a finalist for NAPA’s 2018 Asphalt Operations Safety Innovation Award.

Shabrach applauded the manufacturer for its cooperation, “partnering spirit,” and willingness to adapt its standard equipment to Allan Myers’ goals for its first portable crusher.

“We pride ourselves on being better, faster, safer,” Shabrach said. “This operation mirrors our company’s core values.”