Oxford Plastic Systems’ Modular Road Plate System: A Safe and Innovative Alternative to Steel Plates

Innovative UK company Oxford Plastic Systems is picking up the plaudits for its safe, flexible and user-friendly alternative to using steel road plates to cover trenches on roads. Its modular road plate system is made from composite materials that can be simply linked together by two peoplein just a few minutes, eliminating theneed for expensive specialist lifting equipment.

Seen as the ideal substitute to the steel plate, the pioneering product was recognised for its innovative qualities at Preventica 2015, a health and safety industry exhibition held in Toulouse in June, where it received the Innovation Award in the site safety category. The benefits of these plates were also recognised at the 2012 Salon des Maires exhibition in Paris where it won the Innovation Award in the public and roadworks section.

Oxford Plastics’ road plates ensure the safety of contractors, pedestrians and vehicles during utility, cabling and maintenance projects, with 3000 units deployed initially as part of the Mayor of London’s Keep London Moving initiative.

Despite being easier and safer to manoeuvre than heavy steel plates, Oxford Plastics road plates are strong enough to withstand the weight of a 44,000kg truck. Fully compliant with Safe Working Practice, each section weighs just 42kg for safe and easy installation, while the plates’ anti-slip surface provides secure pedestrian access and complies with BS7976-2 Slip Test Certificate.