The European Aggregates Association (UEPG) in its Vision for the European Aggregates Industry has placed excellence in health and safety at the centre of its activities.
The objective is Zero Harm to all industry employees, contractors and sub-contractors and visitors by 2020, and to help achieve this all those in the industry have a part to play, including equipment manufacturers.
Many already incorporate high safety standards on equipment and this is constantly updated as new machines are introduced.
For example, Sandvik Construction says its commitment to improved environmental health and safety (EHS) has shown itself in new and interesting ways, specifically in the development of new products and services which have allowed it to be able to provide solutions that encompass changing customer requirements.
“At the forefront of Sandvik’s continued EHS focus an increasing use of intelligent solutions has opened new avenues in the improving of service to customers, which at the same time improves safety and minimises emissions thereby benefitting the environment,” says the company.
“Through increased software development Sandvik has been able to invest in such items as training simulators and 3D simulations, as well as remote equipment monitoring and servicing. This has meant that operators may be effectively trained on equipment before they start to actually use it; work flow may be simulated in order to make operations more efficient, and equipment pro-actively serviced in order to minimise unnecessary journeys and operational downtime. Operational risk is thus reduced, safety enhanced and emissions minimised.”
Many other companies also use simulators for training to achieve similar results.
Sandvik points to the latest developments to products that make up its offering. For example, in drilling it says that enhanced operator comfort and safety; fuel efficiency and longer lifetime of equipment, and noise guard and enhanced sound protection all help with EHS while with breakers, new models are designed to save energy and there is a no-tool greasing and patented sealing system.
The company says its mobiles have pre-start warnings on all plant functions and an auto start/stop and set-up, operation and tracking facility, all ensure that safety is paramount at all times.
“Dust encapsulation improves the working environment, extends the life of the equipment; maintenance and clean-up costs are dramatically reduced, and a telescopic chute reduces noise and minimises the spreading of dust and fines to the surrounding areas,” says Sandvik Construction.
Crushing, tunnelling and roadheader (tunnel miners) equipment is also said to benefit from Sandvik’s commitment to enhanced EHS, which is very much focused on anticipating future trends and developments that affect all facets of the construction industry.
“Through an effective health and safety strategy Sandvik aims to further reduce injuries, illnesses as well as work related incidents, thereby improving health and well-being among employees both at Sandvik and customer facilities,” says the company.
“A very important measure that is used in accomplishing these goals is the continuous measurement of health and safety performance against a wide range of international EHS performance indicators.
“To help achieve optimum equipment performance intensive training courses, tailored to the needs of individual customers, are delivered. Based in the classroom, workshop, out in the field or underground, the training courses teach both theory and practice.
“Sandvik Construction’s EHS commitment is strongly based on Sandvik’s own corporate culture that has arisen from the very values on which the Sandvik business is based. These values are fully integrated into the way Sandvik does business, and relies on all Sandvik personnel being committed to Sandvik’s vision, and taking personal responsibility for their actions.”
