Zero vision within excavation sector requires concerted effort

Since 2013, the year Engcon introduced Non Accident Generation, safety issues within the excavation industry have been the focus of Engcon. Engcon represents a zero vision for accidents. Think of accidents caused by a piece of equipment falling down due to improper handling. 7 years later, safety is still relevant because there is still a lot to do. That's why the safety initiative "Dig Smart. Dig Safe" will be continued this year. More stakeholders should take initiatives for smart solutions that can prevent accidents. 

Last year, Engcon introduced a global safety initiative, "Dig Smart. Dig Safe," to highlight the application of smart technology to prevent accidents. The goal of this initiative is to initiate a discussion of safety issues and establish an industry-recognized baseline for the number of accidents caused by falling equipment. 

"The security initiative "Dig Smart. Dig Safe" received a lot of response over the past year. Media around the world wrote as many as 38 extensive articles. From media within the Nordic regions to European, North American and Asian media, says Ulrica Hellström", marketing manager at Engcon. But you don't bring about a behavioral change overnight. So we will keep this initiative alive until we see that safety is an important item on the agenda around the world."

A discussion is now underway in Norway. The Norwegian trade association for construction machinery wholesalers has taken an important step in the right direction by promulgating recommendations for stricter safety requirements than those set by international standards. The Norwegian construction consortium Veidekke is demanding safe quick couplings on all excavators over den 5 tons from Jan. 1, 2020. This year, the Swedish trade association SEKO is following suit with a digital safety conference. There, Engcon will present its safety system. Reseller of construction machinery Maskinia makes clear why they prefer to equip their machines with safe products. 

"A zero vision for the number of accidents caused by falling down bins is a challenge that cannot be solved by a few individual stakeholders. It is important that everyone participates in this. So we will continue to repeat the theme "Dig Smart. Dig Safe" for several more years," says Ulrica Hellström.

Hellström concludes with: "In parallel with the work to start a discussion, we are developing and introducing smart solutions to prevent operator errors and avoid accidents. As far as possible, we strive to include safety systems in our standard offering. This means that the excavator operator gets them at face value, so that the expense does not hinder investment in a safe workplace. Last fall, delivery of our smart locking panel and secure locking function under the rotary tilt began as no-cost standard. This system can explain it simply as an automatic braking system in a car. We help the excavator operator to do it the right way. Hopefully we can offer a follow-up to this next spring."

Engcon has been working for several years with an approach to security issues, however, without resonance within the industry. Therefore, the initiative "Dig Smart. Dig Safe," which resulted in extensive articles in several dozen. The campaign film was viewed by more than 42,000 people. And work related to the zero vision continues. For more information, see https://engcon.com/nl_nl/een-engcon-als-eigendom/veiligheid.html