Black boxes to be fitted on cranes

Bovis Lend Lease has decided to install black-box data recorders on its cranes as part of a new safety system.

Black boxes have traditionally been used on aircraft to record data in the event of an accident. But this is the first time that the device will be used as part of a safety system on a crane.

The package, called the crane integrated safety system (CISS), is designed to improve communication between crane operatives and banksmen via the use of Bluetooth technology. Each device costs £12,000 and includes a camera, monitor, hands-free communication system, recording software, handsets, and black box.

Bovis aims to have the CISS operational across all of its major projects by the middle of next year. The group’s CEO, Nick Pollard, believes the new device will one day become “industry standard”.

Pollard said: “The CISS is an important development for safer tower-crane operations. With safety at the forefront of the Bovis Lend Lease business we are taking this forward across our projects, with the ultimate goal that this system will become an industry standard.”

Action group, Families Against Corporate Killers (FACK), has welcomed the announcement but warned significant investment in accident prevention is needed across the construction industry.

FACK spokesperson Hilda Palmer told SHP: “Any action by the construction industry on crane safety has to be welcomed. But we would like to see the introduction of lots of lower-tech preventative techniques, including proper training and supervision for crane operatives, and regular in-depth maintenance checks to machinery.”

Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders

In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.

Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.

Listen now!