Dufferin Aggregates operation earns OSSGA safety award

By Kevin Yanik| January 29, 2024

The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA) awarded Dufferin Aggregates’ Acton Quarry with its 2023 Safety Innovation Award.

The award, which recognizes innovative industry practices, program and projects in Ontario that improve the health and safety of employees, subcontractors and the public, was given at OSSGA’s Operations, Health & Safety Seminar last week in Toronto.

“The Acton Quarry commissioned a portable crushing plant in 2023,” says Brett Yake, site superintendent of Dufferin Aggregates’ Acton Quarry. “As part of the design, there are hydraulic cylinders that allow employees to easily raise and lower the screens, providing easier access for maintenance. While this is a great design feature, there was no way to ensure the safety of employees performing maintenance should there be a failure of the hydraulic system.”

Recognizing an opportunity to improve safety, Dufferin Aggregates employees designed a blocking system that holds the screen in place to ensure a failure of the hydraulics would not result in movement of the screen deck.

According to OSSGA, the innovation ensured all energy was isolated when entering a screen, thereby reducing the potential for employee injury.

“Thanks to the collective efforts of the foreman and plant operator, we were able to implement an innovative and sustainable way to ensure the safety of employees needing to perform this task,” Yake says.

Michael McSweeney, executive director at OSSGA, commended Dufferin Aggregates for its action.

“The aggregate industry is committed to providing a safe, healthy and prosperous working environment,” McSweeney says. “By being proactive and innovative, this year’s Safety Innovation Award winner has made a meaningful contribution to reducing risk and improving the health and safety of the industry.”