Preventing caught-between accidents | USA

Preventing caught-between accidents in aerial work -Daiwa House Industry-

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　Safety issues at construction sites

Risk of accidents in aerial work

(1) At construction sites, operators raise an aerial work platform to the work area by operating the lift lever while stepping on the foot pedal.

(2) However, when they are immersed in the operation or operating with their body leaning out of the handrail, they could get caught between the ceiling or other structures and the platform, resulting in a serious accident.

The risk of such accidents has been an issue in ensuring safety, ANSHIN and well-being at construction sites.

*The image was created from the content of "Workplace Safety Website" by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. (https://anzeninfo.mhlw.go.jp/anzen_pg/SAI_FND.aspx)

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　Solution for the social issue

Installation of the caught-between prevention system in aerial work platforms

1. Distance sensing device (*1) that measures the distance from the upper structure, such as an ultrasonic sensor and a mmWave radar sensor

- When the distance reaches the warning level, the rise stops and the operator is alerted.

2. Three-position enabling switch (*2) that stops the machine when released from the hand and also when pressed further down in surprise

- Safer operation by installing the switch:
To raise the platform further once it has stopped, the operator needs to reset the foot pedal by removing his/her foot from it, and then activate it with the three-position enabling switch set to ON.

In this way, the system has reduced the risk of caught-between accidents, contributing to the society through safety improvement at construction sites.

This system also complies with Safety 2.0, a technical method of collaborative safety, where safety is secured by sharing information among humans, machines and environment using information and communication technology (ICT).

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　Customer feedback from Daiwa House Industry

A key principle of occupational safety management is to separate humans from machines by distance and time. However, unlike manufacturing sites, such safety management is difficult at construction sites, which poses a risk of serious accidents due to contact between operators and construction equipment.

By installing this system equipped with automatic stop mechanism, operators can avoid accidents regardless of their level of skills. We have heard from some operators that they are now able to concentrate on their work with peace of mind.

We will install this system to more construction sites in the future to enhance safety, ANSHIN and well-being at the workplace.

(In the picture on the right, Mr. Mori is with the certificate of commendation awarded by the Japan Construction Occupational Safety and Health Association in recognition of development of safety equipment with consideration for human behavioral characteristics.)

Daiwa House Industry aims for "zero caught-between accident" not only at its own construction sites but also for all aerial work platforms.

Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.

Mr. Tomohito Mori

Chief

Safety Management Department

Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.

Mr. Tomohito Mori

Chief

Safety Management Department

IDEC will contribute to the enhancement of well-being of workers by promoting the introduction of aerial work platforms equipped with this safety system in partnership with Daiwa House Industry and major rental companies that own aerial work platforms.