Eiffel 101: Road Plate Safety Checklist

Road plates are large, flat sheets of steel most commonly used to cover potholes, excavations, trenches, damaged pedestrian walkways, and roads that are under construction. They are also used along trench boxes during excavation for utility construction and repair. The purpose of a road plate is to provide a temporary surface for traffic to pass over while construction is underway.

Road plates are also known as steel plates, crossing plates, trench plates, iron mats, metal sheets and steel road plates. In order to properly install and use a road plate, certain safety precautions must be taken. Here is a checklist that can be used as a non-comprehensive starting point when choosing and installing road plates.

• Choose the proper dimensions for the road plate, ensuring there is at least one foot of overlap of the road plate and firm ground on all four sides.

• Secure the edges of the road plate properly and feather with asphalt.

• If more than one plate is being used to cover a single hole, they must be welded together.

• On uneven roadways, road plates should be countersunk.

• Choose road plates with an anti-skid coating or tread to prevent accidents.

• Paint the road plate’s edges for extra visibility.

• Place warning signs before the road plate to warn travelers of the uneven terrain.

• Evaluate trench and roadway conditions every day before using a road plate and at the end of every workday to ensure the plate is in good working condition.

9. Notify authorities of road plate locations in the winter when the plates may cause hazards.

Before installing a steel road plate, it’s important to consult with a structural engineer and conduct full site surveys to ensure the zone is suitable for the plates. Steel road plates can be safe and effective when proper precautions are applied.

Have you heard? In addition to our used and surplus steel plate inventory, Eiffel Trading now offers brand-new steel road plates for sale. Our brand-new offerings include various thickness options, including 0.500”, 0.750”, 1.00”, 1.25”, 1.50”, 1.75”, and 2.00” steel plates.

Buy and Sell with Eiffel Trading

Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace allows contractors to both purchase and sell new, used, and surplus steel, including sheet pile, pipe pile, w-beams, access trestle, and more. In addition, our inventory also includes hdpe pipe, traffic barrier, and more.

All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.

Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.