Driving safety forward
February 1st 2007 Regulations such as PUWER and LOLER place responsibility on employers to provide equipment that enables employees to work safely. Despite operator training for each type of equipment, millions of pounds worth of hard-earned profits evaporate repairing unreported 'accidental' damage, according to Mike King, managing director of Log-IT Systems. Here, he suggests solutions and highlights two of the companies reaping the benefits. Log-IT Systems' 'can-do' approach is designed to put managers in control and to increase company profits. However, the main thrust of the technology is to significantly enhance health and safety. During the process, we frequently drastically reduce operating costs, too. Improved profits combined with a safer site is an attractive aspiration for any company. Our systems facilitate cost reduction and improve safety. We work closely with equipment suppliers, installing reliable, robust systems, reducing or eliminating abuse". Peter Hobson, Log-IT technical director explains: "Log- IT modules enforce customer safety policies and correct poor driving practices. Engineering-out inappropriate driver choices, we can automatically slow equipment when entering pedestrian areas, and typically prevent unauthorised use, speeding, unnecessary wheel-spinning, failing to report impacts and leaving unattended equipment running. Our technology reinforces training". Significant culture change Facing increased safety concerns and unacceptable unreported damage to forklifts, buildings and stock. Faurecia installed Log-IT Systems' InfoLok. The company's Bob Coulson comments "In the first year of InfoLok, costs associated with impact damage reduced by 87.5%. We abandoned a competitors fleet management system as it was unfriendly to use, unreliable and became a full time job. Log-IT, however, is a simple to operate, reliable system, taking only minutes per week". Keith Robson, group health & safety manager adds "InfoLok produced significant culture change. Our previous blame culture quickly dissipated, with drivers taking responsibility for their own actions. Frequency of incidents has been significantly reduced. Support since installation has been excellent." The original InfoLok units are currently being transferred to a third generation of Faurecia trucks, demonstating the cost-effectiveness of the InfoLok investment. Highlights unsafe practices Alan Peet of SCA Packaging comments "Log-IT Systems on new Wigan & Widnes fleets delivered the performance and benefits promised. InfoLok's smartfob driver identification highlighted unsafe driving practices, enabling us to implement and monitor improvements, well received by our safety officer. "BeltSAFE inhibitor ensures that 100% of drivers now wear seatbelts, implementing SCA policy. InfoLok Impact management has cut damage to an absolute minimum and software facilitates improved truck utilisation. Transmission protection, SpeedLimita and Reel-clamp modules further contribute to a safer working environment. Other SCA plants are considering implementing the same system." Prompt investigation Mike King adds "We can provide simple access driver control, upgradeable in stages to InfoLok VOR-RF displaying real-time, colour-coded truck activity on site PC(s). Trucks and drivers registering impacts flash 'red' within seconds of the event and details may be e-mailed to site management, enabling prompt investigation whilst the driver is on-shift. "InfoLok VOR-RF delivers added-value from customers' existing computer investment with no-cost data transfers." Such systems play an important part in preventing unnecessary damage costs from appearing on a company's bottom line year after year after year... More articles from Log-IT Systems Ltd: | 
