Safety saves: Part 2

Understanding = safety

Incorrect use of equipment can easily lead to dangerous situations, accidents and costly downtime. To fully benefit from the intended effects of any safety measure, it is important that the equipment is controlled in the correct manner. A large part of equipment safety is formed by the information that is provided to the operator. Therefore, to ensure safe operation, an operator must fully understand the possibilities and capacity of the machine.

The first step towards such understanding is the quality of instructions and information provided to the people working on the machine. Through adequate commissioning, instructions and onsite training, Maats and Liebherr provide service personnel and operators with the knowledge they need to optimise both operational safety and performance. A well instructed operator is able to safely perform tasks and use the machine to its fullest potential.

The second step towards safe operation is the layout of operating elements of the Maats and Lieberr machines. The well balanced operating elements have a simple and logical layout that allows for intuitive use. The comfort of initiating all primary machine movements with ease raises the level of safe operation as the operator is able to focus on the tasks to be carried out.

A comprehensive understanding of how to operate a machine means a good understanding of risks, the ability to avoid dangerous situations and the capacity to optimise safe operation, economy and efficiency of the machine. Combined with the precise and intuitively controllable operating elements, the operator is provided with the right know-how and tools to largely increase productivity and performance.

Comfort is not a luxury

Highly contributing to the safety and efficiency of machine operation are ergonomics and comfort, but both are generally considered as being mainly favourable for the employee. Such perceptions largely underestimate the benefits that can be gained by the employer.

Allowing the operator to carry out his work free of injuries is initially a health issue, but pays off on several other fronts as an ergonomically correct and comfortable workspace contributes to both the safety and the efficiency with which the machine is operated. By eliminating risks such as injuries, fatigue and distraction of external and circumstantial factors, the operator is allowed to fully concentrate on his job. This means fewer mistakes and a highly optimised performance.

Maats and Liebherr profoundly contribute to raising the level of comfort and ergonomics by paying attention to the basics, including seating comfort, visibility and logical controls. Adding additional features such as air-conditioning, additional working lights and a back-up alarm are also examples of relatively small adjustments that increase operator performance. If operators are given the right tools, they are able to perform their work to the best of their abilities, regardless of any external conditions.

Even though it is often presumed to be costly and complicated, raising the level of comfort and ergonomics actually concerns slight adjustments that can be easily made. In addition, the adjustments will contribute to safe operation and are proven to be profitable. An operator that works in a conditioned, comfortable environment is able to perform with greater levels of concentration. Therefore, providing an operator with a clean, safe, comfortable working environment and the correct tools will help to accelerate and optimise safety, production and productivity.

Summary

The clear benefits of equipment safety stretch from safe operation to economical savings. Over the years, the importance of equipment safety has evolved and is now considered as one of the key aspects in defining the quality of pipeline construction equipment. Maats and Liebherr incorporate safety and provide quality pipeline equipment through an interplay of various factors and innovative solutions. By emphasising quality and safety on all levels, factors such as technology, reliability, economy and efficiency automatically stimulate one and another to higher levels. Pipeline construction equipment is an important and valuable factor in pipeline projects and by assuring quality, Maats and Liebherr machines allow equipment to be utilised as a highly profitable stepping stone in the complex process of pipeline construction.

Written by Lycke Koersen, Maats, the Netherlands, and edited by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

To read the full version of the article, please download a copy of August issue of World Pipelines

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/12082014/safety-saves-part-2/