UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY:
THE IMPORTANCE, THE RISK, THE SOLUTION – MANHOLE SAFETY, SECURITY
INTRODUCTION
The ability of our society to function effectively and efficiently is largely dependent on below-ground infrastructure stability. Many critical services are delivered through an extensive underground network that can be easily accessed by unauthorized individuals. Therefore, services which are essential to our safety and economic stability are vulnerable.
This paper will provide an overview of the underground infrastructure network and the risks to network security and continuity. We will conclude by presenting the most efficient and effective solutions in the marketplace for managing infrastructure manhole cover safety and security.
THE UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK
The majority of American citizens and businesses depend upon critical services delivered through an extensive underground network. Examples are water and waste water systems, telecommunications including fiber optics networks, electrical power, as well as steam and gas piping. These services are the life blood of our daily lives and drive the American economic engine. The critical importance of protecting these distribution networks to our society cannot be overstated.
Following 9/11, risk assessments conducted by the Department of Homeland Security identified Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR). These resources provide the essential services that underpin American society and are critical to economic continuity and stability. Protecting and securing these networks has been identified as a critical Department of Homeland Security priority. Government agencies have been established to provide resources and support to the private sector. These agencies assist in exposure mitigation to underground service networks from terrorist access and attack.
THE RISK
Because of critical security and economic importance, underground services networks must not be subject to interruption. The Department of Homeland Security risk assessment points to an obvious weakness in underground infrastructure security. The major exposure is ease of access by unauthorized individuals, specifically terrorists, through manhole covers.
Manhole covers are found throughout the underground network. Manhole covers are accessible and, although heavy, can be lifted with a steel bar allowing unauthorized entry into the below-ground service network. Manhole covers have been referred to as “gateways to terrorism.” Manhole covers can also become a safety hazard when opened by unauthorized individuals and stolen or not properly replaced.
As a result of the risk assessment, The Department of Homeland Security’s National Infrastructure Protection Center has suggested protective measures including a recommendation to “install special locking devices on manhole covers in and around critical infrastructure facilities”.
THE MANHOLE SAFETY AND SECURITY SOLUTION
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that 85%-90% of underground services infrastructure assets in America are owned and operated by the private sector. They can be found in cities, large industrial complexes, military bases, airports, telecommunications companies, university and hospital campuses, the national parks system, as well as public utilities.
In addition to the manhole cover security exposure, workers must routinely lift and replace these heavy covers as part of normal work and maintenance activities. These lifting and replacing tasks are typically done manually, exposing workers to injury.
So, who has products on the market that solve both the safety and security issues? Who has a locking cover that does not require a special manual tool and “hands and knees” assembly to install and remove?
The answer is one organization: Rock Mills Enterprises.
Rock Mills Enterprises has two products that make the process of lifting and locking manhole covers an automated process. They are The Lifter and The LocKing Cover. These products are the most innovative solution for managing the challenges of both worker safety and infrastructure security for today’s world. The Lifter eliminates the need for manually lifting heavy covers and serves as the support tool to lift and lock The LocKing Cover in place.
THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR MANHOLE COVER LIFTING AND LOCKING NEEDS
CUSTOMER VALUE PROPOSITION
The value our customers derive from using our products to meet the challenge of safely lifting and securing manhole covers is best articulated by our value proposition:
Our products make manual handling and locking of manhole covers obsolete. These tasks are now easily, safely, and efficiently done while the operator is seated in a vehicle. No tools, no assembly. Easy Lift, Easy Lock!
No more manual lifting, no more need to get on your hands and knees to assemble and remove locking systems. Just let The Lifter and The LocKing Cover work together, all done using the remote control. Nothing else in the marketplace today is as fast, easy, safe and secure. Contact us today and discover how your organization can access the most advanced manhole cover lifting and locking solutions in the industry.