Working at height: safety innovation in action

Here, Powered Access takes a look at five exciting examples of safety innovation in action.

This latest device from Niftylift has been inspired by standard safety practices in the automotive sector. It can be installed onto any of the manufacturer’s HeightRider machines, providing operators with a visual and audible reminder to attach their harness.

The device becomes active when the key switch is turned on. Red LEDs above each harness point will become illuminated if the harness lanyard is not attached.

An alarm will also sound if the operator attempts to activate the machine using the footswitch.

Additional under-basket green LEDs have also been incorporated to indicate to the ground team the status of the operator harness attachment.

When the harness lanyard is attached, the alarm stops and the LEDs change to green.

The operator warning system is similar to a seatbelt warning in a car – Niftylift believes this familiarity will allow the device to be adopted quickly by operators on site, enabling correction before a safety issue occurs.

Xwatch Safety Solutions has introduced a new safety system for MEWPs.

The technology is designed to enhance operational safety and prevent operator injuries, especially the risk of being crushed against ceilings or coming into contact with live cables and other overhead hazards.

The automatic system is compatible with various MEWPs, including scissor lifts, boom lifts and truck mounts.

It features a height and slew limitation control that prevents the MEWP from breaching safe operational boundaries, which is a common cause of accidents in restricted environments. 

In the event of a control system failure, the MEWP defaults to a secure state, mitigating the risk of accidents.

Continuous monitoring of the machine’s highest points enhances safety by preventing contact with overhead obstacles.

The controlled motion technology supports stability when the MEWP is extended to high elevations. 

An optional chassis sensor further enhances the safety features by correcting for terrain slope, supporting stability and level operation of the machine.

The MEWP VR Simulator enables operators to gain hands-on experience in a risk-free environment.

The simulator offers 23 task-specific scenarios focused on working around aircraft, including modules on APU bay-access, crown and tail access, and doors access.

The tool allows operators to refine their skills in complex manoeuvres, such as navigating MEWPs around the curved surfaces of aircraft wings, tail sections and other critical areas.

The simulator is designed to upskill operators, with modules that identify skill gaps and deliver customised training recommendations.

Within a 30-minute session, the system can evaluate the proficiency of new operators or refresh the skills of experienced personnel.

Powered access hire firm Nationwide Platforms is now providing the virtual reality (VR) training for all of its aviation customers for the length of their projects, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing on-site safety and operator competence in the aviation sector and beyond.

Nationwide Platforms, MEWP manufacturer Dingli and aviation specialist Control Dynamics Inc have joined forces to create Harness On, an intelligent anchor point that stops the MEWP’s operation until the operator attaches their harness carabiner. 

The device is permanently connected to the MEWP’s designated anchor point, securing the operator in and preventing falls from the machine platform.

Harness On is wired to the machine’s control panel too, so that when the operator clips the standard lanyard carabiner onto the device, the circuit is completed, allowing uninterrupted access to all MEWP functions.

This means that for the machine to operate at all, the operator must be fastened in.

Last year, Nationwide Platforms announced the rollout of its safety technology Harness On, which is being fitted across the company’s entire fleet.

Unbranded versions of the safety device have also been shared with the company’s competitors, allowing them to install the device on their own machines and improve safety standards across the industry.

Jaso has integrated its monorail system with its MCWPs to help enhance safety and productivity in vertical construction operations.

The monorail, which allows materials and personnel to be moved along the vertical extension of a building, is 100% modular and can be assembled during different phases of façade works.

The 1.5m or 830mm long monorail modules are the same as Jaso’s MCWP sections, which allows loads to be moved across the full platform length.

The maximum length for a single mast platform is just over 10m, while 29.56m is possible with a twin mast configuration. 

The unit can be installed at any height, adjusting to the size of the panels being installed.

Monorail’s hoist has a maximum capacity of 500kg, operated via a remote-controlled chain and hook system.