FOCUS ON SAFETY


important, type of illumination. Flood lights with large, expansive light beams typically using a refl ector, will be handy for certain situations. Others might require tight, intense beams for targeted, long-distance illumination.


The right setup Safety compliance requires companies to provide artifi cial lighting and emergency lighting where necessary, when natural daylight does not provide enough lighting for the specifi c task. A site might be well lit in general, yet shadows cast by objects such as buildings - or even the workers themselves - at certain times of the day can cause the area to require additional inspection lamps or task lighting.


Setting up security lighting to help deter trespassers should be part of the safety plan.


If the site makes use of temporary buildings or entrances, setting up security lighting to help deter trespassers should be part of the safety plan. Emergency lighting on escape routes might need adjustment whenever the site is modifi ed.


Typical lighting hazards include:


● Insuffi cient lighting caused by incorrect illuminance levels and spacing-to- mounting-height ratio against the manufacturer’s data


● Luminaire brightness from bare lamps irritating eyes


● Natural light seen through windows or roof lights being too bright


● Refl ectance of surfaces and reduced contrast caused by veiling refl ections


● Strong shadows


● Flicker and stroboscopic eff ects In order to ensure a safely illuminated site, employers need to plan, organise, control, and monitor working conditions closely off the back of a professional health and safety assessment to ensure no potential hazard goes undetected.


A sustainable safety strategy As a rule of thumb, the quicker and easier it is to see a hazard, the more easily it can be avoided. The employer needs to take even mild symptoms of inappropriate lighting, such as lethargy, irritability, and poor concentration, into consideration as they will affect the overall working process.


Illumination tools are neither time consuming, nor expensive to acquire. Many tools are versatile and durable, and therefore deployable for a large variety of situations and many years to come. For one-of-a-kind tasks, special lighting can be rented at aff ordable rates.


The employer needs to recognise that worksite illumination is a worthwhile investment that will profi t both the employee, and the organization as effi ciency, productivity, and, of course, safety increase its profi tability.


By Katharina Busch www.arinite.co.uk


Makita introduces brushless LXT rebar tying tool


MAKITA’S fi rst-ever cordless, brushless rebar tying tool is now available delivering fast and effi cient application of rebar tie wire and eliminating manual action.


The new DTR180ZK rebar tying tool is powered by a brushless motor for extended runtime and increased power, and is compatible with both 14.4V and 18V Makita lithium-ion batteries.


Weighing a comfortable 2.6kg with the battery, the DTR180ZK is designed to achieve the fastest method of applying rebar ties quickly and consistently, and automatically delivers double loop ties for a range of construction applications such as building concrete foundations.


It can be operated comfortably with just one hand, allowing the other to remain free to adjust the position of the rebars.


This tool can be used with D10, D13 and D16 rebar in varying combinations of two, three and four pieces of rebars.


According to the condition of tying material, the tying strength can be adjusted in six stages. Using a 5.0Ah Li-ion battery, up to 120 ties of 0.8mm diameter annealed wire can be delivered.


@ToolBUSINESS


The DTR180ZK does not produce heat or sparks and therefore overcomes the need for operators to hold a GC07 hot- work permit together with all the safety logistics this entails.


This body-only machine features an ergonomically designed handle with soft grip, on-tool storage of hex wrench, and


 DTR180ZK rebar tying tool


has low sound and vibration for increased user comfort and safety. The tie wire reel, available from Makita’s accessory range, is easily replaced by opening the reel cover.


The new Makita brushless rebar tying tool complements their range of battery- operated rebar cutters and is supplied in a robust carry case.


TBH February, 2019 19


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