Experts explain their viewpoints on how to ensure safe operations of access equipment.

In today’s time, one of the most important factors that ensure safe operations of access equipment is proper structured operators training. Experts believes that training course involves both classroom as well as practical training on the safe operations of the machines is very essential. Further, by measuring whether workers are meeting health and safety expectations and completing required activities, one can help drive and embed safety as an organisational value. Take a look at the expert’s opinion on safe operations of access equipment:

Structured operators training program
The most important factor that ensures safe operations of access equipment is proper structured operators training, believes Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India Pvt Ltd. He adds, “Such a training course involves both classroom as well as practical training on the machines. It is imperative than an untrained person should never be allowed to operate an AWP as it certainly can result into an accident and fatality even.”

Ray informs, “Our service team at Haulotte India has the expertise to train operators on our machines. We offer training to our customers both in terms of operation and maintenance of our machines. Besides, we have been instrumental in getting International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), an international organisation renowned in providing operators training into India. IPAF India Council was formed last year and has council members from the rental companies and manufacturer fraternity. IPAF certified training centres are already in operation at places like Delhi and soon will be operated at Mumbai and Pune. These centres shall make available operator training courses for the benefit of all users.”

“Apart from, this the AWP rental companies have also formed an association APAOI (Aerial Platform Association of India) and they are also spreading awareness amongst their customers and users on the need of safe operations of AWP’s,” informs Ray.

Building a ‘safety’ incentive program
“We at Mtandt group, are committed to creating a province free from workplace injury or illness, and to providing service driven by our core values of integrity, accountability, and innovation,” states Rakesh Modi, Managing Director, Mtandt Group.

By partnering with workers and employers, Modi explains, “We help our employees come home from work safe every day.”

Modi shares few points:
• Providing workers with training before they undertake new tasks.
• Verifying workers’ performance meets safety expectations.
• Correcting improper and unsafe work activities and conditions. Clearly outlining the plan, indicating expected milestones, estimating timelines for different phases, detailing specific activities, and setting appropriate tracking processes (for example, quarterly reviews of the plan) will help ensure you meet your health and safety goals.
• Identifying any new workplace hazards and taking steps to ensure everyone stays safe.
• Reinforcing safe and proper work performance.
• Recording a daily entry in a supervisor journal or log book.
• Ensuring all documentation is clear, appropriate and frequent, showing a systematic approach to safety.
• By measuring whether workers are meeting health and safety expectations and completing required activities, can help drive and embed safety as an organisational value. The demonstration by supervisors of how important health and safety is will then be passed on to the workforce.
• The joint health and safety committee brings together representatives of the employer and the workers to help the employer identify and resolve health and safety issues in the workplace. One need to establish and maintain a joint health and safety committee if workplace has 20 or more workers. In smaller workplaces, a worker health and safety representative may be enough. The company provides training materials for joint health and safety committee members.
• Once one has assessed key risks and the types of incidents and injuries that are occurring, and one has looked at how proactive and effective ones health and safety processes are, then one is in a good position to create a prioritised plan with appropriate initiatives.

Anti swing device – Most advanced feature of Spartan’s SRP
Speaking about the safety features Dr. Vikram Mehta, Managing Director, Spartan Engineering Industries Pvt Ltd says, “Our Rope Suspended Platforms (SRP) also comes with various safety features like Anti-swing device. Anti-swing device is one of the most advanced features of Spartan’s SRP, where it holds on the SRP and avoids swinging of SRP at higher heights and ensures operator’s safety. Our SRP also comes with roof attachment, where the SRP and the operator are safe from the falling debris or material from top while working. All these safety features in our machines display our commitment towards customer’s safety at site.”

Mehta shares following safety features of SRP:
Tilting roof type
Safety lock is a separate mechanical unit that automatically locks safety wire rope when the working wire rope breaks or suspended platform tilts to its limits.

Centrifugal speed limiter
Centrifugal speed limiter is a safety device which restricts one platform to go beyond the specified or rated speed and also avoids free fall.

New and updated motor cover
New motor cover ensures protection of entire gearbox and motor assembly from falling debris, paints and especially from wet concrete mixture or mortar which solidifies later and becomes difficult to remove.

Sun roof system (Optional)
It provides a protection against sun for labour or operator working at heights. This reduces the fatigue of labour and avoid sun stroke when working in the sun for a longer time.

Special Anti-swing device (Optional)
It is a special safety device designed for total control. The swing movement of the platform with rope is fixed on top of building and passes through the rollers in the platform and anchored to the counter weight of frame provided in the bottom. It pushes the platform and restricts the building platforms front and side swinging movement.

About AAE
Sharing his views on aerial access equipment Raghunandan Jagdish, CEO, Nandan GSE Pvt Ltd says, “For aerial access equipment safety is of paramount importance. Visually, a layman may not detect any faults but even the slightest of bends or cracks can lead to catastrophic failure. Having a professional chartered engineer to do regular audits will be the best way. Statutory it is required to do one audit annually. This audit includes the load test, check of functions, safeties and interlocks.”