In the light of the recent introduction of the Safer Lorry Scheme and Construction Logistics and Cycle Safety (CLOCS) project, the Direct Vision Standard proposals have further increased the need for improved driver safety and legislative adherence.

The Safer Lorry Scheme

The Safer Lorry Scheme mandates safer HGV zones and several measures to ensure lorries are not allowed to ply London roads, except they are equipped with basic safety equipment. This condition applies to construction vehicles, which are key players in many fatal collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. (TfL)

The CLOCS Scheme

The CLOCS scheme unites the construction logistics industry to revolutionise work-related road risk management (WRRR) and ensure complete compliance with road safety culture across the industry. The primary goal of CLOCS is to improve vehicle safety by tackling safety imbalance and advocating for the wider adoption of industry best practices. (CLOCS)

Poor driver safety is costly.

According to the Health and Safety Executive’s figures, employers spend up to £1,6million and 7,400 to cater to non-fatal injuries and fatal injuries, respectively. Considering this, it is only rational to advocate for the adoption of best practices in the construction industry, in line with the mandates of The Safer Lorry Scheme and CLOS.

Below are four proven hacks to ensure improved driver safety in your construction vehicles fleet.

1. License Checks
While construction site drivers can handle different construction vehicles, it is important to verify each driver’s license regularly. This is a simple but effective way to ensure the supply chain stays reliable and protect the staff both on-site and when moving between their homes and the worksite.

The DLVA reports that about 2.9 million drivers across the UK have points on their licence, while about 7,000 drivers with 12 points or higher still parade themselves as legal drivers on Britain’s roads – the usual limit before being banned as a driver. (Fleet News)

Experts have recommended that firms ensure regular and rigorous checks of licenses to ensure every driver is adequately licensed for the type of vehicles they drive and effectively track penalty points.

So, invite all the drivers handling your fleet of construction vehicles and check if they all have clean licenses.

2. Health Checks
Construction machines work on difficult terrains and execute complex tasks. Therefore, they require regular maintenance to keep performing optimally. It also helps you monitor the condition of your fleet and track wear and tear effectively.

If you get your fleet from a hire company, ensure you work with only providers with specialist knowledge of construction vehicles. Such companies can offer regular and comprehensive maintenance, as your fleet requires. This will also protect your investment.

3. Driver Behaviours
The complex nature of construction site works means they are subject to time restrictions, budgetary constraints, and customer expectations. Therefore, it is vital to grant your drivers sufficient breaks during work.

Construction companies now set up on-site welfare facilities to provide drivers with adequate rest. However, when permanent facilities cannot work, especially in remote locations, welfare vans have proven to be an easier yet effective way to fulfil your legal duty of care obligations.

Just drive these fully-equipped mobile rest areas on site. You can have them in multiple locations within the same day. This method is efficient and cost-effective, especially with multi-site or mobile workers.

4. GPS Telematics Tracking Systems
The recent advancement in telematics technologies makes it possible to keep all vehicles and equipment in the best conditions. With automatically tracked fleet maintenance, you can ensure maximum on-site safety and ensure your construction vehicles’ fleet performs optimally.

The technology keeps track of the driver’s wellbeing over long stops. There is an automatic warning if there is a change in a driver’s behaviour emanating from unusual patterns that may indicate the need for help. The system can also offer reports on strange or aggressive drive behaviours, including sudden cornering, harsh braking, and overspeeding.

Other reasons to use a GPS telematics tracking system include ‘geo-fences,’ which notifies drivers of site safety hazards, such as power lines or utilities, and the capabilities to block talking, texting, or emailing from the phone while the vehicle is working.

Final Words
The need for a safer construction site and work atmosphere for drivers and the construction fleet cannot be overemphasised. This article has provided a few tips to achieve that, depending on the specifics of your site and project. Some or all of these tips are applicable to ensure your fleet stays very fit and your workers stay safe.

 

 

Scheduling construction activities for the nighttime is an increasingly popular industry practice. The reasons are not farfetched: first, there is more efficiency because the temperature is cooler, and second, you have little or no congestion to deal with. However, there are a few vital measures to put in place to ensure the safety of everyone involved – the clients, the general public, and, of course, your team.

Lightning for Night Time Construction

Getting the light right is very crucial when it comes to nighttime construction. Asides from ensuring safety, it guarantees almost maximum efficiency and work quality. This is why you must carefully design an adequate lighting strategy for your construction project.

Consider the factors below when choosing the most suitable lighting equipment for your site:

1. Work Zone Type
You can either have a moving work zone or a stationary work zone. For mobile construction sites like paving operations, you can choose between a mobile lighting system that can be movable according to your activities or fixed lighting that can adequately light the entire area. Likewise, you can opt for pole-mounted roadway luminaries for stationary work zones, especially if it is an extended project. Alternatively, you can set up light towers on your trailer or have multiple balloon lighting setups at strategic areas.

2. Glare and Invasion
You don’t want your construction lighting to affect people, including motorists and your workers, adversely. Hence, you should control lighting by adopting the right blocks and shields. You also need to ensure your lighting doesn’t invade private properties. Proper light positioning and correctly shielding your lighting equipment can minimize or prevent invasion.

3. Acquisition
There are two ways to acquire lighting equipment – buying and owning your lighting equipment or renting. You should access both options and see which works best for you.

Noise Control During Night Time Construction

While the nighttime is known for its coolness and minimal congestion, it is also usually silent. Considering there is no way to go about construction activities without making noise, the nighttime silence makes it even more challenging to handle the noise. That is why you must identify and explore possible avenues to reduce excessive noise.

Noise barriers and curtains are an excellent way to start. These setups can considerably reduce noise and ensure you do not disturb the general public or inconvenience your workers. Oh, another reason to keep the noise down is to avoid government sanctions. There is usually a certain decibel level you cannot exceed while running a nighttime construction schedule.

Some construction activities are noisier than others. The state Departments of Transportation identified the top noise generators as backup alarms, crushers, milling/grinding machines, hoe rams, and slamming tailgates. Furthermore, watch out for equipment with diesel engines; they are often noisier. Other equipment parts like tires, air intake components, and transmission setups also generate more noise.

Handling Vibrations and Dust

Whether you work during the day or night, construction activities will almost always generate vibrations and dust. But these may be more disturbing at night, and this is because the silence amplifies the vibrations while the artificial lighting propels the floating dust particles.

Dampening the site with water trucks can minimize the dust. Hydraulic brooms also help in clearing up the ground effectively. Overall, you need an effective dust control technique as part of your work plan. It is the only way to improve the air quality on site.

Vibrations are disturbing, but low-frequency vibrations – usually 1 Hz to 100 Hz – are usually more disturbing. Such vibrations can damage fragile buildings if not well managed. Low vibration amplitudes can also affect historical buildings or disrupt laboratory equipment and similar sensitive devices nearby.

Therefore, ensure your nighttime construction work plan factors in the effect of vibrations from construction equipment at night, and minimize them.

Safety Is Key

Nighttime construction safety is non-negotiable. You should make adequate provisions to secure workers and equipment. First, identify and address the site hazards and safety risks even before bringing workers and equipment to the site. The nature of nighttime construction demands that you factor in special circumstances.

Interestingly, the best way to deal with construction safety risks and hazards is prevention; management only comes second. Therefore, after designing a safety plan, there must be continuous monitoring to track the plan’s effectiveness and make adjustments when necessary.

Potential safety problems on nighttime construction sites include low visibility, lighting glares, noise levels, and air quality. Others are working standards, staffing challenges, traffic control, impaired drivers, and higher vehicle speeds. Therefore, the assessment is best done individually for each zone, considering the peculiarity of each construction project.

The best risk management plan will depend on the site conditions, workers and equipment on-site, timelines, and contract details.

More on Worker Safety at Night

Keeping the work zone will keep you out of legal troubles and keep everyone healthy. But that is not all. Not having safety concerns means zero downtime, setbacks, or extra costs. Invest in quality safety training for your workers, alongside the right safety gear and garments, especially highly visible and retro-reflective clothing visible from 300m away.

For best results, we recommend that you make the safety training mandatory for everyone on-site, and each worker should undergo it as soon as they come in. It is also advisable that you hold regular safety talks as construction activities pick up.

In summary:
Design a safety plan before the start of work on site.
Organize regular safety training sessions and seminars for workers.
Create and announce a safety incentive program for everyone.
Monitor and investigate all safety oversights and incidents.

In Conclusion

Every element of nighttime construction we have discussed so far is important, and paying attention to all of them will guarantee your success. The best way to prepare for the unusual circumstances associated with the night shift is to design and follow a proper construction work plan. With a robust plan, you can cover all the essential aspects adequately and safely while reaping night construction benefits.

No one knows when or how an emergency will happen. This is why it is crucial to have a proper emergency plan to cater to your workplace, customers, and employees, to ensure continuous operation during such times.

Research in 2010 indicated that 7% of businesses have no plans to help them stay afloat in the case of a disaster, while only 14% had plans that will keep them running for up to a year. Preparing correctly for an emergency is essential to the success of any business.

An emergency plan necessarily entails comprehensive post-situation preparation, response strategies to combat problems, and recovery strategies to assess damages and mitigation procedures to keep the damages at the lowest level possible. Disasters do not have to be large scale before they can be devastating – an ordinary large-scale power outage, a burst pipe, or fire can hinder the smooth running of a business. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent most of these internal emergencies.

Most businesses cannot afford to take a break. According to statistics, 90% of businesses will collapse within a year if it stops running for over five days. However, with an emergency preparedness plan in place, both the infrastructure and the employees are safe, and damages kept at the minimum.

In this article, we will discuss, at length, all you need to know about an emergency preparedness plan and how to put one in place.

Businesses are prone to disasters.

The region or location of your business and type of business determines the kind of disasters your business will be prone to. That said, here are potential emergencies that tend to affect all businesses:

• Medical emergencies, flu pandemics, cyber-attacks, and terrorist acts;
• Large scale power outages or equipment failure;
• Chemical spills and releases, necessitating the adoption of protective gears;
• Flooding, earthquakes, and other local disasters;
• Severe weather conditions – tornadoes, hurricanes, and extreme temperature; and
• Explosions and fires

What should you do before creating your business disaster preparedness plan?

Take the following steps before you go on to put together an adequate plan for possible emergencies in your area.

Start by reviewing the history of your area – this simply means getting familiar with the type of emergencies that have been previously recorded in your area. If it helps, enlist the help of the relevant authorities for this.

Assess your location and building. How well can your building or facility withstand potential damage? Is the facility a safe distance from hazards like nuclear power plants, hazardous materials, dams, flood plains, or seismic faults? Your answers to these questions will provide a clearer picture of what needs to be done.

What damages is your business most prone to? You need to know what will most likely throw your businesses into the biggest mess. Can you survive a large-scale, extended power outage? Would operations seize if major equipment fails to work?

Know how much your insurance can cover. You need proper insurance coverage for your business. It is the only way to save yourself from impending disasters. Consider liability and property insurance. Before settling for insurance, assess the coverage, deductibles, and other essential factors. If you have one already, keep it updated and fix coverage gaps (if any). Flood insurance will come handy for businesses situated in flood zones. Get a suitable policy to cover your data and computer equipment. Business interruption insurance will come handy in case of disasters to keep the business running. Lastly, consider these as essential and do it before the disaster happens.

Create an up-to-date inventory of your business assets. From purchase prices to serial number, model, and make, ensure that you document every relevant information about your business assets. Photos will also come handy in documenting pre-disaster conditions of the equipment. These kinds of information can help you to claim more damages post-disaster by providing accurate information to insurers for loss determination.

Who should be included in your Emergency Plan Cover?

Although the emergency plan cover is for your business, it must address the needs of your employees, clients, customers, suppliers, and vendors.

To enlist your employees in this plan, you will need to assess the communication infrastructure, the chain of command, and sick-day and leave policies. Your employee database should be updated and contain relevant information.

You also need to update the database of your clients and customers, including their contact numbers, in preparation for a break in service.

The same is required for suppliers and vendors. You should also create plans for a break in the product distribution chain, as well as disaster preparedness strategies the vendors can use. This is saving your business from the ripple effects of a potential disaster to your vendors and suppliers.

What should your business disaster preparedness plan include?

The content or structure of a disaster preparedness plan for businesses is essentially the same. However, based on personal preferences, there may be a few tweaks here and there. The basic components are listed below:

• A warning system that can pass vital information during the emergency. This will help you to inform your employees about an unusual situation. In most cases, a public address system will work fine, or an alert siren.
• A designated chain of command. Proper leadership is crucial in any business and even more crucial in emergencies. Designate key individuals and assign emergency roles to them based on their skills. If you run a large business, you may need to enlist the services of a reputable emergency management organization for proper evaluation.
• A proper exit plan, including exit maps and directives on how to exit the building during an emergency. The map should show clear utility and emergency routes, such as emergency exit stairways, restricted areas, and fire escapes. It should also mark essential emergency equipment like fire hydrants, utility shutoffs, utility valves, fire extinguishers, and hazardous materials.
• Adequate communication plan is crucial to get in touch with the employees, their families, and the media, both during and after emergencies. This should not be the same as your typical communication systems – they tend to fail during emergencies.
• Provisions for special needs – You must make adequate provisions for people with medical conditions or disabilities. Start by identifying employees or workers who fall into this category and engage them on how best to help.
• Resources like a central emergency number will ensure employees can check in during emergencies. It is ideal to have department members check in with their supervisors, who in turn, reports to the higher authorities. These higher authorities must report to one central office.
• Meeting points – This is where your employees will meet after evacuation for shelter from the elements. The assigned evacuation coordinators will keep track of the evacuated employees, visitors, and customers with the aid of a checklist or roaster.
• Equipment and supplies for emergencies. What are the essential supplies required to manage emergencies in your facility effectively? Who can you call for immediate repairs? Make these findings and keep these items and contacts close before the crisis.
• First-aid procedures are necessary to manage internal medical emergencies. Let your employees know where to find and how to use medical supplies for primary medical care. It is safe to have at least one medically-trained personnel in each department.
• Emergency drills will practically prepare your employees on what to do during an emergency. This will ensure that no one is stranded when the D-day comes.

Now that you are familiar with the essential components of a business disaster preparedness plan, let’s discuss how you can create a business continuity plan.

How do you create a business continuity plan?

First off, it is important to note that the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) or the business continuity plan is crucial to ensuring adequate preparedness for emergencies. It is designed to keep the business running in situations of disaster and emergency until the business recovers.

You can create a COOP by following the steps below:

1. Set up an emergency management team that comprises every employee and manager with technical skills. Assign responsibilities explicitly to the best hands, as well as suitable backups.
2. Set the activation procedures for the COOP. If your business runs in multiple locations, determine the ideal activation process for each.
3. Determine the most important business functions and train your staff on how to execute them.
4. Make arrangements with your vendors and suppliers to keep your essential daily operations running during the difficult times.
5. Identify an emergency business location, where you can continue with your business operations if the current facility is unusable. In some cases, working from home may be the best. If not, get a ‘safe house’ that you can temporarily use until the original facility is restored. What records, equipment, or supplies do you need to run the business and pay staff? Identify and keep them close. You may stock up spare parts in advance to make repairs faster.
6. Draw protective plans for vital equipment. You should do all you can to protect your crucial equipment – telephones, computers, and others – from attacks and failure. Surge protectors and uninterruptible power systems are good ways to start. If you deal with computers, consider installing firewalls and software, and keep the system protection updated.
7. Create an electronic backup system to protect vital business records or safe transmission of these items and records to a safe offsite location. Cloud storage comes handy in this case, but you may integrate physical storage locations to complement the online systems. Records like bank statements, employee contracts, insurance policies, accounting records, financial reports, tax returns, asset records, corporate meeting records, and site maps fall into this category. Regular backups are necessary and must be stored at secure offsite locations.
8. Create and keep your customers, and vendors list updated. This will help you to notify the right people in the invent of interruptions easily.

What next after a Plan?

Having a plan is not enough; you must also put effort into execution. The following steps will help you in this regard:

1. Organize adequate training for employees. This will ensure that everyone knows what to expect and how to respond appropriately to such occurrences. If necessary, enlist the help of community organizations for proper preparedness training. This way, you can be sure that your employees know their roles during emergencies and evacuation procedures.
2. Practice the plans consistently to ensure perfection. Do not wait until the crisis before activating your plans for the first time. Regular evacuation drills and COOP activation, medical emergency responses, and shelter-in-place procedures will position your employees properly for action during emergencies.

Further preparations

There is no doing too much when it comes to protecting your employees and business against disasters. Here are some other things to put in place.

• Set up a planning committee or first aid team, which will, in turn, create an effective emergency plan.
• Prepare disaster preparedness equipment and other necessary safety equipment required for emergency preparedness. If you are not sure of what to pick, here is the list of the top 10 emergency preparedness items.

1. Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)
2. Smoke detectors
3. Fire extinguishers
4. First aid kits
5. Portable battery-powered radios
6. Emergency foods and water
7. Dust masks and work gloves
8. Shelter-in-place supplies, e.g., sanitation supplies, blankets
9. Hook-and-loop fasteners to hold bookcases, computers, and other valuable items in place
10. Safety latches to secure cabinets

• Prepare emergency backup power and lighting that runs on a portable battery. This should be enough to power the equipment for a while in the event of loss of power. Portable light towers will also help to meet some lighting needs.
• Install a commercial backup generator running on propane, natural gas, gasoline, or diesel. This will keep the business running in the event of a short power outage. However, refueling may be necessary if the outage lasts longer.
• Take precautions against fire by installing fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and automatic sprinkler systems. You should also invite professionals to conduct a proper inspection for fire safety.

In all of these, proper installation and operation are crucial to avoid fires and injuries. Avoid DIY in situations like these. Instead, hire a licensed and reputable electrician to handle the installation, and perhaps, a regular maintenance schedule.

You must also ensure that you acquire only the right models of these tools, in line with your business needs. For instance, you will get more out of a permanent generator than a portable version. The former works directly with the units via a transfer switch, which also puts the utility lines back online when power is restored. The only advantage of a portable version is its mobility – you can use it at different locations.

How do you ensure that your employees are well prepared?

It is crucial to make sure that your employers are always ready to respond properly during emergencies. Getting the personal preparedness of employees right includes putting them through regular emergency preparedness training. Most employees cannot offer basic first aid, talk more of CPR/AED. This can be detrimental to your preparation for an emergency.

Likewise, encourage employees to use alternative exit and entry routes into the facility. They should also have their emergency preparedness kits close at all times while updating their emergency contact information regularly.

Finally, bodies like the Red Cross, Government Emergency Management Agencies, and others can offer updated information on emergency plans, which can help shape your efforts.

 

Technology has been entirely instrumental in various aspects of our everyday life. The construction world is not left out. Thanks to technological advancements, construction sites now enjoy better safety and improved efficiency. Communications are now much better and remote. Hence, employers and work crews can keep in touch and stay safe with little effort.

In this article, we will be taking a look at the construction equipment with the latest safety features and arrangements.

Why is safety important in construction sites?

Workers in the construction sector are one of the most exposed. According to statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, about 1/5 of workplace fatalities are attributed to construction accidents annually, with 60% of these resulting from falls, electrocution, and getting stricken and caught by objects.

Breaking the figures down, 5.1% of death was due to construction workers and crew members getting compressed by objects or getting caught between them. The casualty figure rose to 8.2% in cases of getting hit by objects flying through the air or from falling from a height. 7.3% of deaths are attributed to electrocution-related injuries.

Reports have indicated that injuries and deaths on construction sites are mostly due to violations of safety regulations across different sectors. These include:

• Failure to use safety ladders according to OSHA regulations.
• Failure to set up safe and stable scaffolding, according to OSHA standards, to prevent the fall of objects and people.
• Failure of employers to protect workers from falls.
• Inadequate training of employers for fall protection and hazardous energy control.
• Absence of proper respiratory and eye protection gears or failure to wear them properly.
• Inadequate guarding of machinery and industrial trucks, among others.

Safety should be a top cause for concern in any construction site. Before now, technologies have been relatively powerless in solving fatigue issues, risky work positions, and equipment-related problems. Fortunately, most of the new technological innovations are safety-centered. They quickly and consistently track not only the productivity but also the safety of construction workers.

Technology vs. Construction

Contrary to popular opinion, most of the activities on construction sites are still handled by heavy mechanical equipment sets. Despite being older, some of the foundational ideas of these machinery types have become mainstream and infused in most of the equipment we used today. In addition to these, other innovations currently in the pipeline. They are expected to be available for use as soon as testing is complete.

Jobsite safety problems are top concerns for manufacturing companies. This is why newer inventions have focused on the protection of operators and other jobsite workers. Despite being relatively more significant investments, the worthy returns are evident in the reduction in the number of injuries, improved productivity, and lesser accident-related downtimes.

Construction Safety Technology

The integration of technology into construction sites has been long considered as a viable method to improve safety. This encompasses the introduction of tracked equipment, wearable technology, and drones, among others. While all of these safety features may appear attractive and ideal for your jobsite, it is essential to work with the findings of your site’s safety evaluation. This will ensure that you invest wisely by going for only techs that meet or contribute to your specific safety needs.

With that said, below are some of these techs, described extensively:

Drones

One of the most significant advantages of a camera-equipped drone is that it helps to monitor the jobsite remotely. From ensuring safety protocols to assessing progress at different angles, drones come handy in almost all construction sites. Drones are also used to move light tools and equipment, although only heavy-duty drones with extra lift can do this. This will come really handy in very extensive or multi-story jobsites, where it offers more efficiency than a human.

With camera-fitted drones, workers can check tight angles, which may be inaccessible with ordinary eyes. For instance, bridge inspection and pre-demolition assessment are two assignments machines like drones will handle better than humans, without taking unnecessary health risks.

Perhaps, the best part of this tech is its accessibility. Drones are readily available in electronic stores around you, and available in various models.

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

Construction sites are quick to turn new operators over to heavy and complex machinery. A better and more efficient alternative to this will be the integration of augmented reality or virtual reality into the training program. By throwing virtual reality into the mix, the user will learn how to interact and communicate with a complete computer-based system, to understand the safety and operational protocols.

As an advancement, augmented reality introduces a computerized overlay that serves as a bigger and clearer window to monitor and understand the interactions in the immediate environment. Augmented reality training programs are designed to allow operators to control the machine based on the response from different virtual situations built around real-life situations while just sitting at the controls. Every operator that undergoes an augmented reality training, including the licensed ones, can use heavy equipment to execute actions risking the safety of others.

Augmented reality is pivotal to the detection of hazards in a jobsite. For instance, there are special AR helmets that notify wearers of a potentially hazardous situation. Such systems also sieve through tons of information to provide workers precisely with what they need to stay safe and maximize productivity.

Smart Clothing

What prevents the body from getting in contact with the hazards of a construction site is the PPE – Personal Protective Equipment. Technology has found its way into the protective outfits of jobsite workers. For instance, there are now hardhats with inbuilt carbon monoxide detectors, which informs a worker of the presence of this dangerous gas in the atmosphere.

Other forms of smart clothing are closely linked to a robust information grid. One of these is a geofence – a virtual barrier made from electricity. It works by informing supervisors or sound alarms of a worker trespassing on a prohibited area. There are also special garments that assess the physical signs of a jobsite worker wearing them, including skin temperature, heart rate, and breathing.

They send an alert to the supervisors once they sense an elevation in the measurements, usually due to illnesses that require quick medical attention or a break (to relieve fatigue).

Mobile Reporting

Supervisors can now easily track employees’ locations and activities, thanks to GPS-equipped mobile devices. These devices also come handy in recording safety violation instances or issues on the jobsite for future references. Therefore, it is easier to identify, trace, and resolve jobsite problems while preventing future occurrences.

Another perk of mobile reporting is that it is instant and anonymous. The reporter does not have to wait until post-working hours to file a report or worry about getting snitched on, especially for shy workers. With problems identified and accurately reported, it is easier to transition into safety technology integration.

However, mobile reporting will only work where there is a reliable Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. Without one of these, it will be impossible to do real-time employee monitoring or make or receive reports. In situations like these, the next best option will be the monitoring of local sensors.

Site Monitoring

The health and safety of jobsite workers also depend on the environmental conditions on such sites. This is why a robust site monitoring system must be in place, i.e., the strategic distribution of sensors that can keep track of temperature, noise, chemical levels, and dust. With these in place, it is easier to notify the worker of impending dangers or identify unsafe operational conditions that may necessitate mitigation or evacuation, such as exposure to higher chemical exposure levels.

Trust Caterpillar® Tech to keep your jobsite safety!

The Caterpillar® brand is one of the biggest jobsite safety advocates in the industry. It has continuously integrated safety-centered technology into its vehicles, which will not only guarantee the safety of the operators but also other jobsite workers. Caterpillar® safety tech comprises devices worn by workers as well as those installed on machines. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Remote-Controlled Equipment

The idea here is similar to what is obtainable in drones, although on a larger scale. Cat remote control feature of cat connect allows an operator to control heavy equipment remotely. This comes handy in hazardous conditions that may put the operators at risk.

This tech offers two options – one of which must be integrated into a new machine. It is best to order new Cat equipment with the Cat Command remote operation hardware fitted from the factory.

The first of the options is the Line-of-sight, which allows the operator to control the vehicle from a distance not too far from it, using the portable controller. This option works without a high-speed or fast data connection on site. All the operator has to do is be within sight of the vehicle. It is a short-term, emergency remote control solution.

The second is the Remote Location option, which requires a high-speed and consistent data connection, as well as a centralized control station. With these, the operators can control the vehicles from the command center, which does not have to be within sight of the equipment. This system will only work flawlessly with a stable, high-speed wireless data connection. Delay in the execution of the operator’s controls can lead to serious problems.

Cat Connect

The Cat Connect tech is targeted at boosting the productivity and safety of Cat heavy equipment. Infused with both software and hardware components, this tech works hand-in-hand with existing machinery to keep workers safe while on the line of duty. This ultimately reduces injury and fatality rates, as well as downtime significantly.

Worker Detection Systems

Also known as the Cat Detect, this system helps to keep track of the location of jobsite workers. It runs on the RFID – Radio Frequency Identification technology. Hence, it provides only accurate and dependable readings. This means that the driver is always aware of the position of others relative to his when operating a vehicle. This awareness helps to reduce jobsite accidents significantly.

The early stages of the Cat Detect system include small RFID sensors infused into the reflective vests and hard hats of workers. These sensors are washable and work without power. The difference between the active RFID and these smaller sensors is that the latter do not emit radio waves.

There is a corresponding detector sensor on the vehicle. It attempts to locate any nearby sensors by sending out radio waves, including those on workers that are not active or on break, provided they are on site. On detecting a sensor, the detector sends a visual and audio feed to the driver via the in-cab display.

Built-in Operator Monitoring

Construction sites are not immune to fatigue and driver distractions. Unlike cars that have no inbuilt preventive measures, Cat vehicles come with factory fitted operator monitoring systems designed to prevent reckless driving.

The cabs have individual sensors that monitor the eye and head movement of drivers. These sensors identify distractions by checking variances in movements. The process is sunglass-proof and works even in the dark. Once the system detects a variation, it activates an in-car alarm, and the driver’s seat vibrates. This alerts the distracted driver and most likely bring them back to reality. The Caterpillar Safety Advisor keeps track of this and logs it for an onward report to the supervisor.

There is also an in-cab sensor that monitors the fatigue levels of the driver. It does this by tracking the nodding or eye closing frequency of the driver. If either or both appears too long, the seat vibrates, and the alarm sounds. These will restore the attention of the driver. However, instead of logging the incident, the Caterpillar Safety Advisor informs the supervisor immediately. Fatigue means the driver is tired. Hence, it is only logical that they relieved of their roles and allowed to rest.

Cat driver safety systems are flexible – they work with almost all heavy equipment on the site, including new and old models. So, if you are looking to make an existing fleet of machinery safer, they come handy.

Wearables for detecting fatigue

These sensors are designed for fishing out workers that try to fight or hide fatigue. The human body is designed to ask for rests at intervals, without which it gets less efficient. Every construction worker on-site needs to be alert. Tiredness deprives workers of alertness, putting them at risk of injuries and counter-productivity.

The Caterpillar Smartband is a wearable tech that keeps track of the fatigue level of workers. It does this by retrieving information about the circadian rhythms and the sleep patterns of the user. It processes the data to predict and detect fatigue. The hardware is backed by a bio-mathematical science-based software that predicts whether a worker will get tired or sleepy on the job, even before they resume. This is relayed in the form of a numerical value – the fatigue score.

Every worker clocks a fatigue score when they arrive on site. The fatigue score is generated from their recent sleep patterns retrieved from their Smartband. The combination of this score and the ratings of other users is converted into a report. Supervisors rely on the reports from all the workers to choose a worker that is refreshed enough to handle a task safely. It also offers insights on which workers to excuse from the jobsite for sufficient rest.

A fatigue score of below 70 will return a fatigue pattern similar to that of a drunk driver. This means that a tired driver is as dangerous as a drunk driver. Thanks to the Smartband technology, such situations can be identified and prevented beforehand. Mistakes and errors are the leading causes of underproductivity, and they are primarily due to fatigue. So, with fatigue and fatigued workers out of the way, downtime is significantly reduced, and productivity increased.

Safe Construction Equipment from CAT

The flexibility of CAT safe construction equipment makes them compatible with almost all construction equipment. You can get in touch with us to know more about how you can integrate these into your existing fleet or ask to have them included in your new fleet. This will be a bold step in the right direction of reducing risks and maximizing safety.

 

If not immediately extinguished, there is no limit to the havoc a fire in construction equipment can cause. This KEP Services expert guide on fire will discuss the causes of a fire, preventing it, and the right steps in the case of emergencies.

What are the repeating causes of machine fire outbreaks?

There are three leading recurring causes

• Source of the spark causing the triggers
• The oil in the engine
• The engine heating the oil

Construction machines and engine oils are inseparable, especially when hydraulic cylinders are present. The engines eventually overheat due to continuous use, perhaps in the quarry or on construction sites. This subsequently heats the oil to a very high temperature. If the hydraulic hose fails, it may lead to a fire outbreak.

Most fires are due to internal complications, for instance, a spark triggered by a bare electrical wire or a short circuit. If the engine-heated oil comes in contact with a bare electrical wire or a short circuit, it will trigger a large fire. Also, there are a few cases of complications originating from external sources.

Another set of fire victims are dumpers.

How can you prevent fires?

Here are some proven fire prevention tips;

• Always have functional fire extinguishers close to you. The fire brigade must be your first port of a call in the case of a fire, even when it seems you can control it.
• Train and educate your machine operator on how to prevent and handle fire situations. An operator must leave the cab immediately once they sense or see a potential fire outbreak.
• Industrial and construction materials are best stored in an enclosed space, and far away from flammable sources.
• Proper storage of battery boxes is important. They are best kept where they cannot come into contact with the terminals.
• Remove flammable trash from construction equipment. Green waste, fuel tanks, and grease tanks accumulate waste after continuous use.
• Your engine oil level control cloths must never be in your diesel engine compartment.
• Your machine must be well-maintained and regularly inspected, so that you can detect faulty or poorly connected electrical circuits.

The driver’s cab is most susceptible to fire

A driver cab must be very observant. He will most likely be the first to detect a sign or smell of a fire, considering his exposure to flames. Hence, you must warn and train your teams on the dangers that come with using public works machinery.

It is common for machines intended for deconstruction to remove spare parts being gutted. In most of these cases, the cabin was completely razed. If your machine falls into this category, reach out to us to get a cabin that complies with the necessary regulations.

Fire Protection System for Machines

We have seen manufacturers include a special fire protection system in their most recent models. This protects the machine and the driver in the case of a fire outbreak. These systems are usually similar to the one in rally cars – a pressure sprinkler system linked to a fire extinguisher tank. The other option is to add a piece of fire-fighting equipment procurable from specialized companies.

Let us take a look at Caterpillar as a case study for fire machine protection. The company included a fire safety device on the 777G dumper and bull D10T2. This device can detect and smother the fire. It works by triggering a fire extinguishing system, which in turn cools the overheated parts and smothers the fuel to cut down on oxygen supply.

We can also have a system that replaces the hydraulic oil from base oil with a water-soap mix that works by limiting firing when there is a contact with burning foundry residues. This is seen in a few applications, including steel mills.