Castell’s drive-away safeguard system Salvo is now protecting warehouse staff at Europe’s largest single-site PVC compounding operation.
Hydro Polymers, part of Norsk Hydro ASA, has installed Salvo on the only loading bay at its Newton Aycliffe site, in County Durham. The bay handles approximately 30 trailers per day, for both the UK and European markets.
“As soon as I saw Salvo, I thought that it was a little bit of genius,” says Paul Burns, Warehouse Manager at Hydro Polymers. “It’s simple to use, cost-effective and does exactly what it’s supposed to.”
Prior to contacting Castell, Paul had recognised the need for an additional safety system beyond the wheel chocks and driver-surrendered keys that were already in operation at the site. He had investigated alternative methods – such as vehicle restraints, hydraulic gates, barriers and traffic lights – but had found them all to be cost-prohibitive.
When drivers have reversed their trailer up to the loading bay, they are given the Salvo Susie lock by the warehouse operative. Fitting the lock to the trailer’s exposed emergency air line coupling immobilises the trailer and releases a uniquely-coded key, which the operative then inserts into a control box located inside the warehouse. Turning the key powers up the bay, enabling the door to be raised and loading or unloading to begin. The key remains trapped in the control box until the door is fully closed once more.