VEHICLES, SKIP & HOOK LOADERS
RFID proximity alarms – anti-collision safety through 360 vision
Gary Escott, Director of Ongrade Ltd, talks about how using an RFID proximity warning alarm system can alter a plant operator’s perception of site safety forever
Plant operators are as vigilant as they can be – it’s a required part of their training. However, restricted vision around a vehicle is a safety mishap just waiting to happen. Using a resource that eliminates site safety
risks, means that everything changes for the better. That is the feeling plant operators get when they use an RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) proximity alarm system. Construction plant is big and cumbersome, with
blind spots. Quite often operators have no idea what, or who, is moving behind them – purely because they can’t see every bit of a vehicles’ perimeter from the cab. Pedestrians may be distracted by activities
on-site or by their work, and lose a sense of where they are. This can pose serious problems, because they may assume a plant operator, being high up in a large vehicle will see them – which is not always the case. How does an RFID proximity alarm work? When someone walks too near to a plant
vehicle being operated on site, an alarm goes off in the cab. Another alarm also goes off on the pedestrian’s hard hat, to let them know they’re too close to the machine. It’s a two-way failsafe, and there’s no chance
either the operator or the pedestrian will ignore the alarm, because when it goes off they know there’s a potential collision. For plant operators, it means stopping the vehicle and looking around to see where the collision risk is. The biggest fear for drivers operating an
excavator is people coming up behind on the right-hand side that they can’t see. Neither party knows for sure which direction the other is going in. However, when an alarm goes off, you naturally
respond quickly. The RFID system has an advantage over other aides like cameras, as this provides an automatic warning of the presence of a pedestrian. Operators notice a change in behaviour when
using the proximity alarm for a long time. It deters people on site from coming close to operating plant. The alarm is loud, and that’s a vital part of it
because no-one likes setting it off and they’re more careful about their movements on site.
54 SHM December 2016 Issue 132 Gavin Elson, a plant operator of over
ten years’ experience, has used an RFID proximity alarm for just over year. He said: “I’ve found that having the proximity alarm makes the most difference when I’m operating telehandlers, excavators, tipping dumpers and rollers. There are blind spots on all of them. “I can’t stress enough how much the
RFID proximity alarm has changed the rules of plant and pedestrian interaction for the better. The dual alarm system offers a new dimension on site safety, giving all site workers an extra level of control and protection. “I didn’t realise how close, and how frequently, I came to
near collisions with pedestrians every day while doing my job. It has been immensely reassuring to have the failsafe system, and it has certainly removed a lot of stress from my plant operating day.” RFID systems may not stop a machine from working, but it
does let an operator know someone is nearby, or in the field of collision. Moving forward, I think it’s vital to
invest the time and energy to educate everyone associated with working on an active construction site about this safety system. This includes other plant operators, general site operatives and site managers. We need more
training and knowledge-sharing. In the end, it’s the users’ perspective that really counts; they are experiencing the changes first hand, and have told us these represent significant changes for the better.” To find out more
about RFID proximity alarms visit: www. proximitywarning. com/contact-us
ECCO Safety Group launches the XT ‘Slim’ Series
ECCO Safety Group, the US based multi-national designers and manufacturers of vehicle safety systems with European Headquarters in Leeds, have launched the new Code 3 (Premier Hazard) branded ‘slim-line’ versions of the popular and robust XT Slim Series of hazard warning directional lighting.
They are suitable for use on almost all types of emergency service, utility, recovery and specialist vehicles that need to warn other road users of a potential hazard when operating outside of normal expected parameters. The XT Slim Series is available in amber, blue, red
and white with a clear lens and three, four or six high intensity LED’s giving exceptional warning light output. All units feature a selectable set of flash
patterns, while multiple units can be synchronised. Three of the flash patterns conform to ECE Regulation 65 Class II Category X for blue, amber and red options and all units meet the requirements of ECE Regulation 10.05 for electromagnetic compatibility.
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