Being able to monitor operator tool usage and work practises can provide a company with invaluable intelligence to improve working performance and project strategy resulting in potentially shorter project delivery timescales and cost reductions.
It is legally required to manage operator vibration exposure levels and the HAVmeter uses this opportunity to not only streamline this process but improve tool and workforce efficiencies.
The HAVmeter solution can help companies understand the best method for completing a particular job; provide a standard of performance to measure labour efficiency; increase productivity; and standardise project times to manage the cause of project delay or idle time.
Firstly the HAVmeter solution removes all the overheads and inefficiencies that a paper based HAV monitoring system has created. Paper based monitoring typically over estimates operator exposure up to 80% resulting in downtime or increased operator overhead. When operatives report such inaccurate data it can result in removing operatives from a project causing project delays and additional cost from overtime, coverage and eventual replacement.
Keeping procedures simple, helps operators provide good data. The HAVmeter simplifies the whole process by automatically recording tool trigger times, dates and operator identity, removing responsibility from the operator to record activities. This provides a highly accurate and automated system to measure tool usage and exposure. It allows the operator to get on with the job and provides peace of mind. The HAVmeter system also allows operators to know exactly where they are in relation to their allowable exposure at any point in a given shift as per the HSE points system. The points system empowers operators to become pro-active, actively looking for more tool/job rotation or better planning of shifts etc.
In addition, an operator’s allowable exposure limits can be customised for individuals. This could allow operatives with early stage HAVS who may have been banned from tool use completely to return to work but on a restricted and controlled basis. The combination of the reduced exposure limits and accuracy of the HAVmeter gives confidence that the operatives are working safely.
Many of the above benefits also apply to team and Site Managers who wish to minimise workforce interruptions and additional workload. The automated solution simplifies the HAV exposure record collation and again reduces the workload upon them.
Tracking operator activity and tool use allows companies to view in more detail accurately how projects are executed and the progress and timeline of activity. The HAVmeter reports also provide project time management to assess workforce and plant required for future projects. This can help support planning of future projects and tender bids to improve contracting the best supplier. This can help contractors present a proven business case to better support their ability to complete a contract due to experience and better understanding of the requirements to realistically achieve this.
It is common for public sectors bodies to put out to tender projects that can be completed by internal departments. When a public body has carried out project time and work practise analysis from past projects, using the HAVmeter solution they can better support a fairer bidding process for all entrants by excluding bids that do not meet the project requirements. This helps provide a more level playing field for their internal teams who could be outbid due to unrealistic proposals.
