Overview
DAM Structures Limited is a Yorkshire based innovative structural steel fabrication company offering a comprehensive design, manufacture and erection service for the construction industry. The company's manufacturing capabilities as specialist steel fabricators of both temporary and permanent works range from plunge columns, plated beams/box sections, tower crane grillages, small and large diameter propping works, façade retention towers, portal framed structures through to mezzanine floors, heavy duty stairs and bridges. Their processes have been assessed and certified to Execution Class 4 (EXC4) for CE marking (to BS EN 1090-2), the highest of the execution classes.
Challenge
Tools typically exposing employees to vibration are 9 inch & 5 inch grinders as well as die grinders. Previously to assess and manage vibration exposure risk the company were using manufacturers stated tool vibration levels and estimated duration of tool usage of operatives on a daily basis. The company were continuously reducing exposure risk using a measure of controls but due to the industry recognised variability of an assessment of HAV risk and despite meeting regulations, it was still vague. SHEQ Manager of DAM Structures Limited Amanda Roberts states that: “Following some research on the internet to see what technological improvements were available a number of systems came up. We chose HAVWear as it was the easiest to install and use and the Reactec technical were incredibly helpful. The reports also gave us a better range of reporting options than other systems". "HAVwear is a time saving system which allows us to better protect our employees from HAVs by having actual usage information instantly at our fingertips, rather than relying on estimations of general usage. This information is vital for a steel fabrication company like ourselves, where our employees use grinders on a daily basis”.
Results
Since deploying HAVwear as part of the Reactec Analytics Platform, the company has used the insight it provides to better control their risk. This has been done by re-designing work allocation and implementing worker rotation using the information provided. The HAVwear has also helped by highlighting tools that indicate higher than expected vibration levels. This has helped stop over exposure and created a pro-active maintenance system to prevent tool failure, with early intervention or replacement of tools. The variations in tool vibration levels on like for like tasks have also indicated where re-training is appropriate. By tracking tool usage the system also reports on tools being over worked & ones not used at all, allowing tool circulation to be put in place.
