Securing the Steel Mesh Barriers to the sides of a new bridge before it was lifted into place, meant the builders of the structure could be certain the safety of their workers was at the top of the agenda. The edge protection solution COMBISAFE offered was ideal for LISEA / COSEA* who are creating the 7.8 billion euro French high-speed rail line between Tours and Bordeaux.

Steel Jaw Clamps were used to securely attach the barriers to the steel bridge beams. This enabled the safety posts to be clicked into position and the Steel Mesh Barriers to be installed prior to the bridge being craned into place. Not only did this systemised edge protection require no specialist tools but the mesh barrier also meant that road users below were protected from falling objects and debris during the bridge’s construction. With the bridge now complete, COMBISAFE ensured this massive project stayed on track for completion in 2016.

In cutting the journey time from Paris to Bordeaux to just two hours when the line opens in 2017, the South Europe Atlantic (SEA) high-speed rail line (LGV Sud Europe Atlantique: LGV SEA) route traverses a significant number of rivers and roads. During the construction of a 120 metre long bridge which crosses the N10 motorway at Roullet St Estephe, Vinci Construction required an edge protection solution which could be installed quickly and minimised the need to work at height.

Based in Vierzon, COMBISAFE were the only supplier who could meet the contractor’s exacting requirements with the use of both the COMBISAFE Steel Mesh Barrier and the Steel Jaw Clamp.

The Steel Mesh Barrier is a systemised edge protection solution which incorporates guardrail, toeboard and steel mesh in one ergonomic unit. All barriers are manufactured in the EU and are fully compliant to EN13374 Class A, B and C. The COMBISAFE Steel Jaw Clamp is an innovative attachment which provides a secure attachment to the bridge’s steel beams.

* LISEA signed the contract for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance and COSEA is the construction joint-venture managed by Vinci Construction.