The company
Cummins is a global power leader that designs, manufactures, sells and services related technology around the world. In the UK, one of its companies at Ramsgate in Kent, assembles power generators for a diverse customer base.
The situation
Health and safety is of paramount importance to all Cummins operations across the globe. At the Ramsgate plant, as part of the continuous improvement process, a project team was set up to upgrade the traffic management around the plant, introducing new routes for greater safety and efficiency. There was a requirement to fit reversing alarms to the forklift trucks used on the site that would have a different sound to the large cranes used to move heavy equipment along the assembly lines. As the trucks would be working both inside and outside the plant, alarms with variable sound levels would be an advantage. In addition it was decided to take the opportunity to fit camera systems to the forklifts to eliminate any blind spots when the trucks are reversing.
The solution
Brigade Electronics consultants were invited to recommend a solution to meet Cummins requirements. They then undertook a two day feasibility trial at the plant with the Cummins project team, a total of ten people, using a variety of Brigade products. As the forklift trucks varied in size from five to twenty tonnes, each vehicle had to be assessed independently.
Brigade’s unique bbs-tek® white sound (broadband sound) reversing alarms were chosen for fitment to all the forklifts, in particular the SA-BBS-97 that automatically adjusts the sound level to 5-10dB above the ambient noise level. In this way the alarms would be equally effective inside and outside the plant without causing nuisance by being too loud or not being heard by being too quiet. Also as the bbs-tek alarms make a “ssh, shh, shh” sound instead of the shrill beep of a traditional tonal alarm, the warning sound was distinctive and instantly identifiable onside the noisy plant.
The VBV-750 reversing camera system with 5" LCD TFT colour monitor was also fitted to a selection of the vehicles. This provided a back-up to the instruction for all drivers, to look back when reversing, that is in installed in the drivers through regular health and safety assessments.
Products fitted
The SA-BBS-97 reversing alarm is ideal for vehicles such as trucks, busses, coaches and refuse vehicles. This self adjusting white sound (broadband) reversing alarm is tough, durable, dust and waterproof (IP68) and can be steam-cleaned or pressure hosed. bbs-tek® alarms are approved by the Noise Abatement Society for their ability to eliminate noise nuisance.
The VBV-700C colour, flush- mount camera has a wide field of vision with a stay clean lens coating. The VBV-750 monitor is ideal where space is limited, with up to 3 camera inputs and mirror/normal image switching.
Feedback
Health, safety and Environmental Manager, Jeanette Deaney is pleased with the results of the fitment. She said: “We have certainly noticed the difference in noise and everyone clearly recognises the reversing alarm sound. The drivers are also glad of the backup provided by the camera to overcome any blind spots behind the forklift.”
White sound is a revolutionary advancement in the field of reversing safety. Unique to Brigade, white sound reversing alarms (bbs-tek) are the safest and yet quietest on the market. The distinct “ssh ssh” sound is less irritating than tonal beeping alarms, preventing workers from becoming desensitised to the warning.
The sound emitted is directional and therefore instantly locatable, enabling pedestrians to work out exactly which vehicle is moving and in which direction, allowing them to move to safety. This makes them the safest option for the visually impaired who may not be able to see the vehicle reversing but will hear the direction it is reversing in.
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