Makita leads the power tool industry in the design of tools that remove the HAV risk for operators. Makitas AVT, Anti Vibration Technology, has set standards of performance for safety, especially in hammer drills, reciprocating saws, grinders and breakers. Makita has also pioneered an integrated tool management package that embraces the Toolminder software that records tool usage and maintenance and the HAVmeter automatically records an operators personal tool usage and vibration exposure. Makitas combination of this safety standard offers the best possible safety protection for industrial operators of heavy-duty power tools.
Right at the heart of the giant Wilton chemical production complex at Middlesbrough are the workshops of international engineering services company Hertel Total Asset Management Limited. Around the world, at petro-chem facilities, offshore operations and power generation plants Hertel engineers maintain core infrastructure elements such as pumps, valves and safety systems. The company design, fabricate and install major pipework, ducting and insulation products and deliver full plant construction services. Hertel relies on the Makita tool safety management system to protect its employees.
Since taking over these operations almost two years ago, Hertel has introduced a comprehensive staff awareness and protection programme. Our policy is to continuously improve conditions for our staff and this means everyone on site working together to understand the risks and developing practical safety methods and implementing them in the workshop and on site, explains Operations Manager, Ken Lyons.
Over eight months, all Hertel staff attended safety workshops that identified the correct methods to be employed throughout the operations, and their existing health conditions were established. People were quite shocked at the potential risks involved in engineering works of this level, says Peter Howard, Hertels Health & Safety Officer. We explained the new regime to control risks, how to use the HAVtec monitors with personal swipe cards and showed how these accurate usage records build up a clear picture of exposure risks. This will enable staff to be rotated to limit risk exposure. The delivery of the promised hardware convinced our staff that by embracing the technology they were eliminating risk to themselves and others. Making Makita our prime tool brand was the key starting point to the whole exercise.
The Hertel philosophy combines best practice with high quality Makita power tools and integrates the Toolminder data recording software and the HAVtec operating recording system. These components provide Hertel staff with the best possible working safety and conditions.
06-August-2008
Local Authorities take full advantage of solutions
After successful completion of on-site Hand Arm Vibration, Whole Body Vibration and Noise assessments from our Fivesquared division another 3 local authorities have chosen to commit to TOOLMINDER
The testing in real life situations provides invaluable data for risk assessment purposes and TOOLMINDER brings the full benefit of being able to record all details relating to the test(s) including application data, consumables, materials, and obviously the EAV, ELV times and also allows for productivity data to be recorded.
These installations took full use of the product safety reports and were installed in 3 user and 10 user LAN versions.
TOOLMINDER is fast becoming software of choice for many industry sectors including Major Hire Companies, Local Authorities & Tool Manufacturers.
02-May-2008
TOOLMINDER module now supports the HAVmeter from Reactec
The latest module of TOOLMINDER Safety & Maintenance software provides full integration to the Reactec HAVmeter.
The HAVmeter provides electronic data capture of employee vibration exposure in a compact, rugged and simple to use pager like device. Each employee is given an identifaction card which is used to swipe out a HAVmeter. This is then used on each tool recording and displaying the accumulated exposure.
TOOLMINDER links this data into custom views, reports and graphs giving a functional breakdown of exposure details.
For more information please contact Earlsmere or Reactec
21-April-2008
ECHO UK appoint Earlsmere
ECHO UK have formally appointed Barnsley based Earlsmeres Fivesquared Division to carry out Hand Arm Vibration tests on their range of chainsaws, brushcutters, hedgetrimmers and power blowers.
ECHO UK Sales Director, Mark Osborne said The decision to appoint Earlsmeres Fivesquared division to carry out our testing was based on their considerable reputation, and the fact that they test the products in operation, rather than a static test. This provides us with much more accurate information regarding the Hand Arm Vibration levels, and allows us to be wholly confident of providing this information to the end user. In addition, Fivesquared use the test results to provide clear safe operator user times, or time to reach EAV (Exposure Action Value), for each product tested.
ECHO will be recommending that their customers consider implementing Earlsmeres new vibration management software Toolminder, which provides a single point of reference to establish the best machine for a particular application, whilst showing technical data, safe usage limits and noise levels. The package will then advise on which protective items the operator should be provided with, as well as giving the option of printing a vibration data label that can be attached to the machine, meaning no excuses for machine use over the EAV pre-set limit.
Earlsmere Director, Jeremy Hoyle explained, Vibration and noise are now well recognised as potentially serious problems within numerous industries which, if not adequately addressed, can lead to major health issues. Vibration White Finger in the mining industry is perhaps the best publicised example, but there are numerous others. Fivesquared have been at the forefront for the last 7 years in the drive to assist employers, operators and manufacturers to accept these dangers and initiate best working practices. We are looking forward to working with ECHO UK, and are delighted that ECHO have appointed Fivesquared to carry out the vibration testing on all their products.
31-March-2008
Railway Maintenance HAV Tags
A national rail maintenance company has started the first phase of a multi depot roll out of Earlsmere's Handy HAV tag for assisting with its internal hand arm vibration risk control measures.
The HAV tags selected from the Handy Tag range are colour coded in the 'Traffic Light' system and then overprinted to a design of the customers choice.
Quite simply depots place an order for a quantity of each colour and choice of print layout, the level of delivery is detailed and where required the tags are with the client the next day.
12-March-2008
Vibration Tool Tagging System Installed
Latest on demand vibration tool tagging system is installed at leading power tool manufacturer. The system allows for designs to be tailored to meet the needs of the industry with the flexibility for future change. Any level of detail pertaining to a tool can be easily printed in a multitude of design formats.
This system compliments Makitas recent launch of Toolminder which is designed to inform users, hirers and employers exactly how long a tool, or a selection of tools, should be used during the working day.
11-March-2008
Council Vibration Management Programs
Earlsmeres Fivesquared division continues to assist local authorities in phases of vibration management programs. Close work with the Health and Safety personnel has allowed both parties to determine the most appropriate solutions for the different departments ranging from building works to highways along with some of the subsidiary divisions.
11-March-2008
Tagged Quarried Stone
Quarried stone is now being tagged with a vivid colour, weather and abrasion resistant tag. The tag is supplied printed with custom layouts to allow the users to actually size and grade the stone by deletion of certain printed portions thus allowing the appropriate data to remain visible. The system has been in use with proven durability for over 3 years and to date thousands of applications have been made.
11-March-2008
EARLSMERE ID SYSTEMS
UNIT 18, VALLEY ROAD, STATION ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE,
BARNSLEY, SOUTH YORKSHIRE. S73 0BS
TEL - +44(0)1226 750 111 FAX - +44(0)1226 754 014
