RCMME pRoCuREMEnt guidElinEs
“Our latest introduction is ACTIV Lighting System
which is the provision of LED lights integrated on our
new generation booms is to facilitate safe loading
operations of the machine at night. Another notable
feature is our HAULOTTE STOP EMISSION SYSTEM
which automatically stops the machine engine after
an idle period of 90 seconds. This allows work to be
carried out at height and most importantly improves
total cost of ownership, and optimises operating
costs. One of the recent technological advancements
we have introduced in our diesel boom lifts is the
Entrapment Prevention System, ACTIV’ Shield Bar. This
is a secondary guarding system that ensures safety of
the worker in an entrapment situation. The system,
once activated, allows on reverse and down function
of the machine, thus preventing further danger to the
worker. The system unlike some of our competitor’s
offerings can be reset from the platform itself, thus
saving both time and money,” said Ray.
To meet these changing and challenging needs of the
sector, Godrej, in partnership with Imer, has introduced
a dual fuel machine with both battery and internal
combustion, for indoor and outdoor usage. Accessequipment powered with Li-ion technology that helps
provide longer working hours is also being developed.
In Imer access platforms there is no deration even on
extending the platform.The new theme of the world is data and this is one
of the areas where technology is being upgraded to
capture data which was not capturable earlier to
maximise customer satisfaction. Malhotra adds that
going forward this data would also be assessed to
robotically clean high-rise facades without the risk of
human safety while also increasing the productivity.Major challenges
Access equipment industry is a part of construction
industry which has gone through some serious policy
changes in the last 2 years, which has affected the
industry in turn. “One major challenge faced by our
industry is the lack of knowledge, which results in
developers and construction companies opting for
equipment on the basis of cost and actual usability
which causes loss of time and eventually money,” said
Malhotra.Lack of proper legislations that would make usage of
such equipment mandatory is of major impedance. In
the developed countries such as Europe, US, Australia,
UK use of access equipment is very common as they
have strict legislations to use proper equipment to
work at heights. Secondly, the uninhibited import
of used machines of any age and condition isn’t
restricted, thus many such machines that have
outlived their actual service life are being put to use
and that is a cause of major concern. “The impetus in
the growth can only be achieved once we are ready
to accept the best practices followed in developed
countries, where safety while working at heights is of
utmost importance and it is mandatory to use access
equipment when working at heights,” said Ray.According to Lingayat, the other major challenges
faced by this industry are imports of old machines;
more than 10 years with no checks on latest safety
standards, lack of safety regulations for use of
machines in India and lack of mandatory guidelines
in India for working at heights which is more than 3
metres.Worker safety continues to be an issue plaguing the
construction industry. “For years, construction has led
all industries in the total number of worker deaths.
The number of workplace injuries and illnesses has
remained constant for years. Keeping workers safe
and protecting them against accidents and injuries
should be the top priority for all business owners,”
said Bambhaniya. n26 B2BPurchase July 2019