DESCRIPTION
The cabs of modern mobile plant are fitted with a range of electronic safety devices such as reversing aids, weigh loaders, communication and audio entertainment equipment. Most of this equipment includes some form of audible notification or warning system. The proliferation of equipment has increased the possibility of an operator becoming confused, missing an audible alarm or notification. Should this occur, the risk of a of a collision or incident involving the mobile plant would be increased.
At Cemex’s Willington Quarry the team looked at what could be done to reduce any distracting noise and maximise the effect of the audible warnings from reversing alarms.
This was achieved by linking the in-cab entertainment mute control to the Sensor vision reversing aid on the mobile plant. The modification mutes the entertainment system in the cab when the proximity reverse alarm sounds. The only sounds emitted in the cab are that of the in-cab reverse alarm drawing the full attention of the operator to the potential danger. The entertainment system is restored to normal levels once the machine is out of the danger radius of the Sensor vision or changes direction of travel.
BENEFITS
- Minimises risk of driver not hearing reversing alarm
- Reduced risks of collision on site
- Simple modification carried out by an auto electrical engineer
- Does not negatively affect any other safety systems
- Now standard on all Cemex’s loading shovels in the Midlands area
- System could be easily adopted for other plant.