What kind of work does Citycare Water Construction do?

We mainly focus on watermain renewals, which involve installing new water pipes using directional drilling and replacing service leads to each affected property. So, our sites often have small excavations in the footpath or driveway that need constant access. To make sure people are safe, we are careful to cover any holes on site.

What kind of techniques were you using before for covering trenches, and what issues did you have with them?

Before we got composite plates, timber and steel were our only options for covering up excavations. Steel is tough enough to use on sidewalks, driveways, and roads, but it’s so heavy that you need a digger or other lifting equipment just to move it around. There was also always the risk that a steel plate might not be thick enough, and you could end up with an uneven surface that posed a tripping hazard if hot mix wasn’t applied to the edges. So setting them in place, or even shifting them a bit, was always a challenge.

How have composite plates changed the way you work? 

Composite plates have been a game-changer for us in terms of excavation safety. We are now able to handle and move the carriageway plates without needing any lifting equipment – all it takes is two people. The plates can support just as much weight as any steel plate but without the need to bring a digger on site. It’s saved us time and money as we no longer require machinery or other consumables.

Where have you seen the biggest impact in your work? 

We no longer need to use consumable products or expensive lifting equipment for our steel plates, which saves us a lot of money. Composite plates are light enough for two people to install. This reduces the Health and Safety risk of lifting loads and crush injuries substantially. They are also very quick to install, which helps efficiencies on site. The team are confident about the performance of the plate and the weights it can withstand, and they are more willing to open up driveways and footpaths as the protection is readily available.

What would you say to people who think composite plates are not worth the upfront investment? 

The cost of hiring a steel plate is between $50 and $80 per day, plus a pick-up and delivery charge of $150. If we take a typical watermain renewal site where you may have the requirement of between 2 to 3 steel plates for up to 4 weeks’ the total cost would be between $1000 and $1600 per site. In contrast, the cost of a composite plate is $495, last year, we completed 13 renewals sites and 72 site connections, and the composite plates paid themselves back fourfold. To me, it’s a no-brainer to switch to the composite plates.

Andy Hunte – Construction Manager