Stacksite Specification and Supply Issues

MARK WAGNER, Commercial Manager for Conundrum Holdings Pty Ltd and CRAIG JAMES, General Manager – Technical Concrete and Quarries for E B Mawson & Sons Pty Ltd provide and update on Stacksite and Supply Issues.

EARLY this year the CMPA requested meetings with VicRoads personnel due to concerns regarding:

• Sealing aggregate production after the adoption of alterations to specifications introduced prior to the 2012/13 season
• Production difficulties associated with the changes
• Consequences of sealing aggregate shortages for VicRoads, local government and road building contractors in 2012/2013 season.
• Cost of production consequences that are inevitable adhering to the new specifications.
• The roll out of sealing aggregates orders and improvements that could be made in the 2013/14 season
• Stack site conditions and consequential road safety and OH&S issues.

The bituminous sealing aggregate contractors contacted were more than happy to support this initiative by the CMPA. They realized that the shortages that were experienced in 2012/13 can be avoided in 2013/14 with some realistic assistance to those quarries participating in sealing aggregate supply.

These initiatives would have to involve VicRoads as the principal consumer and the sealing contractors themselves.

Mr Trevor New State Manager, Sprayline Surfacing Services has commented that “It was pleasing to hear the CMPA has taken this initiative due to state wide shortages of aggregate in 2012/2013. If VicRoads and the contractors can work together with the quarries to give as much lead time as possible then things can only improve.”

The first initiative came from Graeme Newman, Quarry Materials Specialist, VicRoads Technical Services, who kindly organised and chaired a meeting at the VicRoads offices in Kew in March this year.

Craig James and Anthony Joseph from Mawson’s, Bill Payne from Quarry Crete, John Esnouf, Principal Engineer Sprayseal Technology from VicRoads, Bruce McClure from the CMPA and Mark Wagner attended.

Many technical issues were discussed, with sealing aggregate supply specifications being the most important issue on the agenda. Most importantly it was made very clear that the 2012 specification changes were to remain.

Graeme Newman pointed out the changes brought Victoria into line with other states. It was pointed out to VicRoads representatives that it was inevitable that sealing aggregate production rates would be reduced by adhering to the specification changes. As a consequence the CMPA representatives expected that cost of production would increase and inevitably these costs would need to be passed on.

It was accepted that this would be the case, however it was pointed out that generally speaking VicRoads was seeking a higher standard of sealing aggregate supplied to their bituminous sealing contractors. It was generally acknowledged that it would be vital that aggregate orders should be placed with quarries as early as possible in 2013/14.

Graeme also suggested meeting with CCAA representatives to discuss common issues. The CMPA members present were asked if we would like to participate in regular meetings to discuss issues like changes to specifications, codes of practice and test methods. This was agreed to and we believe all CMPA members will support the co-operation Graeme has offered.

The second initiative came from Mr Colin Dailey who contacted CMPA member Craig James. An invitation was extended to Craig to present the stack site issue to their Bituminous Surfacing Meeting held at the ARRB centre on the 28th of May 2013. The group included representatives from all of the metro and country VicRoads regions.

Bituminous sealing contractors were kept fully informed about the CMPA’s involvement in speaking directly to VicRoads personnel.

Mr Mark Hutchinson Contracts Manager from Inroads, commented “We were very pleased to hear that the CMPA had presented information about stack sites at the Bituminous Surfacing meeting. The quarries delivering sealing aggregates need to give some feedback to VicRoads. This initiative assists all parties in the supply chain.”

Craig James went to a great deal of trouble to prepare a very thorough Power Point presentation for the group, under their agenda item ‘Stack site and Supply Chain issues from the quarries perspective’.

The presentation highlighted just how difficult deliveries to stack sites are in relation to safety for road users in general and the truck drivers concerned. Presentation photos demonstrated how things were from the perspective of the driver trying firstly to find the stack site, and then safely negotiate entering stack sites and unloading the sealing aggregates.

It was pointed out that with modern transport combinations; any more than twenty metres long, a significant number of stack sites are totally unsuitable.

The group were shown evidence of:

• Unmarked stack sites (compared to well identified ones in NSW).
• Obscure entrances that were previously old road alignments that were only accessible on ‘blind’ curves in the new alignment.
• Overhead hazards (including high voltage power lines and overhanging tree branches.
• Unsuitable ground and slope conditions.

A number of suggestions and aims were given to the group from a quarry supply point of view including the implementation of:

• A Stack site register
• Upgrading VicRoads standard specifications to fully utilize guidelines for all stack site users, occupiers and local Shires
• Stack site signage and identification
• Stack site preparation and maintenance

However most importantly the group were reminded of everybody’s, OH&S and “Chain of Responsibility” obligations. It was made very clear that quarries, sealing contractors and VicRoads can no longer ignore their collective responsibilities in relation to stack site operations. And to follow that on Craig also pointed out that there is a very strong case that stack sites should be subject to a Risk Assessment before deliveries and activities are undertaken each season, to ensure they are capable of being used safely by all concerned.

The CMPA is very pleased with the co-operation shown by VicRoads in all the matters raised. While understanding change never happens quickly it is pleasing to note that that already this year contracts are being organized earlier than experienced in previous years. Sealing aggregates should no longer be treated as a demand or ‘just in time’ supply product.

We look forward to more discussions with VicRoads personnel and would recommend a working group be formed by them to consider how stack site conditions and usage could be improved.

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