Proximity warning system

Until now, the use of SiteZone has been recommended by lead clients to all their sub-contractors on a project. However, Hughes and Salvidge has taken the corporate decision to insist on using the SiteZone Proximity Warning System on all projects at its Heathrow Airport operations that involve plant and on-ground personnel.

A first for OnGrade, the application of SiteZone in the demolition industry is a milestone in its quest to improve site safety awareness.

OnGrade director Gary Escott said: “SiteZone has already proved a success in the construction and waste sector. However, we know that the demolition business is high-risk because personnel on foot often work in close proximity to heavy plant on site. The team at Hughes & Salvidge have shown just how dedicated they are to their staff’s safety, and using SiteZone will help them to reinforce and improve safety performance.”

All Hughes & Salvidge plant vehicles being used at Heathrow Airport have been fitted with SiteZone, which uses radio frequency identification (RFID) detection. This means that SiteZone can see around corners, through dust and smoke and in poor light conditions, giving targeted warning alarms to both drivers and workers on foot should they enter each other’s working area. 

Plant and vehicles are fitted with SiteZone base stations, while site workers have RFID transponders fitted to their hard hat or sleeve. When a site worker breaches a predefined detection zone, both the worker and driver receive a ‘proximity warning’. The RFID tag vibrates, making the site worker aware of the vehicle, while the driver is alerted by sound and flashing lights in the cab of the vehicle. 

SiteZone also logs incident data which can be transmitted and viewed on the Cloud by using the telematics function. It collects essential data from SiteZone in the event of a zone breach to help managers monitor and improve site safety.