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Specialists in hand 

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EXPERT OPINION: 

Why you should seriously 

consider certification to a 

recognised quality standard 

analysis: Three decades of 

UK off-highway plant sales 

Putting 

the 

PeoPle 

into Plant 

February 2011 

Making sure the 

face fits at JSP 

JCB WORKMAX 800D launched ● UKCG reaffirms support for HAVTEC ● Groeneveld releases Twin 3 automatic greasing system

2 

February 2011

Editorial 

It is clear that the tough economic climate is still having 

a major impact upon businesses throughout the plant 

and equipment supply chain. From original equipment 

manufacturers (OEMs) to plant hire companies, owners 

and end users, it would seem that there is a universal 

tightening of budgets, people being made redundant, 

companies merging whilst others are being lost and fierce 

competition for work. Above all, the word ‘profit’ seems to 

have been temporarily lost and instead professionals talk 

about making a minimal loss. Almost overnight, the industry 

has become insular and introspective and great initiatives 

such as supply chain management and partnering have 

disappeared under the weight of ‘lowest costs wins’ bidding 

for tenders. What would Sir Michael Latham or Sir John 

Egan say now? Two reports on how we should improve the 

state of the industry and we’re already back to square one. 

But is this necessarily a regressive step backwards or is 

chaos in the financial markets a good thing in the longer 

term? It is far too early to say but some academics argue 

that out of chaos change occurs and that chaos per se 

provides an opportunity, perhaps the only real opportunity 

for the industry to reshape and redefine itself, given the 

loss of previously existing institutions, procedures and 

methods of working with other organisations and the advent 

of new opportunities. Some refer to chaos as being akin 

to a forest fire – something that savages the immediate 

environment yet provides ideal conditions for new growth. 

Academic debate aside, within the context of the plant 

and equipment industry it is extremely difficult to watch 

established companies perish at the hands of newer 

emerging companies who have entered the market and 

are offering the low cost tenders that clients require. 

At what expense can they do this? Surely there must 

be cuts somewhere in service quality or is it a case 

that these companies are more innovative and have 

driven down costs whilst maintaining quality service? 

As highlighted within this issue, two professors from 

Birmingham City University have begun to examine the 

supply chain and explore the issues that practitioners are 

raising; it will be interesting to read the findings of this 

work later this year. In the meantime, let us hope for better 

times ahead and survival of the fittest not the cheapest! 

Editorial Team 

Philippa Spittle, Karen Jones 

Published and Distributed by 

On-track Multimedia 

On Track Multimedia, 

Email: enquiries@operc.com (general) 

pep@operc.com (newsletter) 

Copyright © 2011 On-track Multimedia 

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of 

information published in Plant and Equipment Professional, 

the Editors cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies 

or omissions. The views expressed in articles are of the 

author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editors. 

NEWS 

A-Plant apprentices: keeping the wheels of industry turning 4 

UKCG re-affirms its support for HAVTEC 5 

EZiCAT gains Network Rail product approval 6 

Speedy go for SDMO 6 

Volvo joins relief effort in Brazil 7 

JCB strengthens WORKMAX range with new diesel model 8 

Easy access with LPG powered GenQuip all-terrain 

welfare units 

Third Kramer loader for Champion 10 

Youngman launches first ever self-propelled 

micro scissor lift 

Lecture talk: Symbiosis of man and machine: is humanity 

a slave to technology? 

February 2011 

3 

9 

10 

First Liebherr industrial rehandler for Halifax Metals 11 

Speedy launches new site set-up service 11 

New research initiative into UK plant and machinery supply 

chains 

29 

Hewden gives Fire Fighters Charity a lift 33 

Lafarge announces UK debut for Ductal® products 34 

JCB orders a flying start to 2011 35 

Groeneveld releases Twin 3 36 

SPECIAL REPORTS 

Glorious Globus Gloves 12 

Good vibrations for Reactec’s HAVmeter 16 

Making sure the face fits at JSP 18 

Top safety accreditation for Thorworld 21 

Safety case study: failure of excavator counterweight 

securing bolts 

Analysis: Three decades of UK Off-highway 

new plant sales 

24 

26 

A day in the life of a plant operator examiner 32 

EXPERT OPINION 

Why you should seriously consider certification 

to a recognised quality standard 

EVENTS 

PEOPLE 

Birmingham City University Professor 

in prestigious industry initiative 

CONTENTS 

40 

38 

Andrew Dakin joins Blue Group 38 

Lafarge Managing Directors colloborate at Ecobuild 39 

COMPETITION 

CLASSIFIEDS 41 

NEWS MEGABYTES 

30 

37 

42

NEWS 

a-Plant 

apprentices: 

keeping 

the wheels 

of industry 

turning 

A-Plant’s Apprenticeship 

Programme is one of the 

most valued and sought after 

in the industry and even in 

the tough economic climate 

the company is still investing 

in apprentices when many 

are cutting back. A-Plant 

is proud to have one of the 

highest retention rates for its 

apprentices in the industry; 

with an industry average 

retention rate of just 66%, 

A-Plant’s rate of 96% is 

testament to the company 

and the training provided. 

A-Plant’s three-year Apprenticeship 

Schemes are in high demand and 

2010’s intake was no exception 

with 26 apprentices (split into the 

3 categories of Plant Maintenance 

Apprentices, Customer Service 

Apprentices and Driver Apprentices) 

being recruited,taking the total number 

of A-Plant apprentices to 65. 

The 22 Plant Maintenance Apprentices 

undertake the formal study element 

at A-Plant’s apprenticeship training 

partner, Reaseheath College in 

Nantwich, Cheshire. They attend on a 

4 

February 2011 

residential basis, in four week blocks, 

for a total of 30 weeks over the course 

of the three years to complete the 

NVQ Level 2 in Plant Maintenance 

and the subsequent NVQ Level 3 

in Advanced Plant Maintenance. 

The remainder of their training time 

is spent in one of A-Plant’s national 

network of more than 100 service 

centres where, as key members 

of the local team, they learn how 

to make sure that equipment is 

serviced, maintained and repaired 

to the highest possible standards. 

The four other new apprentices who 

started work in 2010 were three 

Customer Service Apprentices and 

one Driver Apprentice. The Customer 

Service Apprentices are assessed 

in the workplace, effectively training 

to become Rental Managers whilst 

pursuing a NVQ Level 2 Customer 

Service qualification. The Driver 

Apprentices are based in an A-Plant 

Service Centre and follow a NVQ Level 

2 in driving HGV vehicles, eventually 

leading to full HGV driver status. 

All apprentices and their parents 

are welcomed to A-Plant at special 

receptions and induction days 

organised by the company. Each 

apprentice has a mentor appointed 

to offer a support network, influence 

and guidance throughout the scheme 

and a personal development plan to 

ensure that they are kept on course 

and understand the fundamentals 

of what the training involves. 

“everyone’s talking about it!” 

Grainne Patterson, A-Plant’s Talent 

and Organisational Culture Manager 

explains: “Recognising the importance 

of having the right skills in place to 

help support specific sectors assists 

with economic growth and will avoid 

a shortfall of suitable staff in the 

future. We have a clear strategy as 

far as recruitment and development 

is concerned. We focus on strategic 

planning and making long-term 

decisions about our future workforce.” 

A-Plant believes that it has never been 

more important to invest in the future 

of young people despite the difficult 

times in the construction industry at 

present. The programme equips young 

people with the skills, knowledge and 

practical experience they will need 

to succeed and build a career in the 

construction industry. When individuals 

join the scheme, they receive a heavy 

duty professional toolbox, followed by 

vouchers for 10 driving lessons once 

they complete Year One. Once the 

NVQ Level 2 has been achieved, they 

receive £250 of vouchers and a further 

£500 of vouchers following successful 

completion of the NVQ Level 3. 

In March 2011, recruitment starts all 

over again for the Autumn 2011 intake 

of apprentices and A-Plant is once 

again firmly proving its commitment 

to people investment by looking for 

approximately 40 additional apprentices 

for the scheme. Further information 

on A-Plant’s apprenticeship schemes 

is available at www.aplant.jobs

uKCg re-affirms 

its support for 

haVteC 

Members of the UK 

Contractors Group 

(UKCG) have pledged 

continued support for 

the Hand-arm Vibration 

Test Centre (HAVTEC) 

database, operated 

by the Off-highway 

Plant and Equipment 

Research Centre 

(OPERC) and managed 

by Professor David 

Edwards of Birmingham 

City University. 

The UKCG represents over 30 leading 

contractors, who together produce 

some £36 billion of construction 

turnover (approx. 30% of the 

construction industry’s total output). 

The Group’s commitment will continue 

to help improve the identification and 

management of hand-arm vibration 

health risks in construction and its allied 

industries. 

Members of the UKCG will encourage 

the use of HAVTEC data where 

appropriate (e.g. for risk assessments); 

and proactively work with original 

equipment manufacturers to add new 

data onto the register, such as when 

new hand-held mechanical equipment 

and appendages come onto the market. 

UKCG members currently use the 

HAVTEC register as a preferred source 

of scientific information (as well as 

other education and training information 

provided by the centre) to assess the 

likely risk to workers from different 

types of tool. 

Leading industry vibration expert, Mr 

Mark Owen of Simons Construction, 

said: “I am delighted to announce 

continued support for HAVTEC from 

UKCG members. Over the past 8 years, 

the industry has worked tirelessly with 

HAVTEC to produce the only freely 

available, international source of 

scientifically reliable and independent 

hand-arm vibration data. The initiative 

has been highly successful and is now 

used throughout the whole of industry 

and across the globe. Collectively, we 

have made a real positive difference 

to the welfare of workers who may 

otherwise develop poor-health over 

time - such as white finger, carpal 

tunnel syndrome or musculoskeletal 

damage - as a result of exposure to this 

kind of vibration. These illnesses can be 

extremely debilitating for the individual 

and costly for employers and society in 

general. It is our duty as professional 

practitioners to ensure that such does 

not occur.” 

Special reports, Latest news, Worldwide distribution & Expert opinions 

HAVTEC provides independent 

assessment of the hand-arm vibration 

(HAV) exposure that an operator will be 

exposed to from the use of mechanical 

hand-held power tools. The results of 

the tests are recorded on the HAVTEC 

register, which is made available 

through the OPERC website. 

Testing is conducted by fully qualified 

experts in the field, using state-of-the 

art scientific measuring equipment. 

They work in close collaboration with 

several leading hand-held equipment 

manufacturers. All vibration tests are 

carried out under ‘real’ work conditions 

in full accordance with international 

standard ISO 5349 parts 1 and 2. 

The HAVTEC register may be 

accessed free of charge by any 

individual company, local authority, 

training provider or other similar body 

or organisation. For information on 

HAVTEC visit www.operc.com. 

February 2011 

NEWS 

5

NEWS 

eZiCat gains 

network Rail 

product approval 

Cable Detection has proved 

safety is high on its priority 

having recently announced 

that the latest editions to its 

product range, the EZiCAT 

i500 and EZiCAT i550, 

have secured Network Rail 

approval, meaning both 

locators are now accepted 

for use on Network Rail’s 

infrastructure. 

The approval process meant 

that a series of safety checks 

were conducted on both 

products demonstrating 

Networks Rail’s commitment 

to safety and product 

conformity. 

Managing Director, Christine 

Swetnam commented: “We 

6 

February 2011 

are extremely pleased 

to have gained Network 

Rail approval on these 

products. We have 

worked hard in ensuring 

the quality and safety of 

our products is second 

to none. Receiving the 

approval means that 

if you are working on 

the rail network or road 

infrastructure you know 

our locators will deliver a 

first class performance’. 

Both models represent 

the latest design in cable 

location technology. With 

state-of- the-art digital 

signal processing (DSP) 

and intelligent software, 

i-Series locators make 

ground surveys a 

simple and speedy 

task; increasing 

onsite safety and 

ultimately saving 

time and money. 

The i-Series 

intelligent software 

and the digital 

signal processing 

simplify the 

locating process, 

providing the 

operator with a 

clear audible and 

visual response 

to the position 

and direction 

of the buried 

services. With 

added features 

such as service 

due reminder, 

service depth 

indication, pinpoint 

assist, bluetooth 

connectivity, they 

deliver on every 

aspect. 

Speedy go for SDMo 

A Speedy generator on the SDMO Production Line 

SDMO Energy, the UK 

division of the French 

generator manufacturing 

giant SDMO Industries, has 

confirmed an order for a 

fleet of generators from tool 

and equipment hire provider 

Speedy. 

This initial order is for 

thirty-two professional rental 

specification generating sets 

ranging from 80 to 500kVA, 

powered by either a John 

Deere or Volvo diesel 

engine. Each generator 

is equipped with a 3-way 

fuel valve for an external 

tank with a heavy duty air 

filtration system for use in 

harsh environments, such 

as demolition sites and 

quarries. 

The power is provided by 

the latest Leroy Somer 

AREP alternators and 

the fuel tanks are fully 

bunded, with leakage 

detection, making them 

environmentally safe. The 

complete unit is housed in a 

weather-proof Zintec treated 

enclosure with whisper-quiet 

noise levels. Advanced 

control and management is 

handled via either a Telys or 

Nexys controller. 

These features and benefits 

ensure that each set is 

ideally suited to provide 

continuous, clean power, 

on construction sites, 

outside events, airports 

and a stable mains backup 

for schools, factories 

and hospitals. 

“We took a delegation 

of Speedy’s power 

generation experts to visit 

our manufacturing factory 

in Brest, France, so they 

could view our production 

processes first hand,” 

explained Clive Dix, the 

SDMO Energy general 

manager. “They were all 

very impressed with our 

facilities, remarking on 

how we have successfully 

combined a rigorous 

production process with 

a unique flexibility to 

make sets to individual 

requirements” 

Clive continued: “We 

work very closely with 

all our rental clients to 

ensure that we are always 

abreast with the changing 

demands of the rental 

markets, therefore we 

listened very carefully 

to Speedy’s experts 

in order that we could 

produce a line of sets 

that are completely in 

line with their customers’ 

requirements.”

February 2011 

NEWS 

Volvo joins relief effort in Brazil 

When devastating floods 

hit Rio de Janeiro state in 

Brazil, Volvo Construction 

Equipment mobilised 

its machinery to join the 

international relief effort. 

Many hundreds of people were killed 

after flooding hit Rio de Janeiro state 

in Brazil earlier this year and rescue 

teams are still searching for hundreds 

reported missing. The United Nations 

has referred to this natural disaster as 

the second worst in Brazil’s history, 

surpassed only by a meningitis 

outbreak in 1974, which killed 1,500 

people. 

The flooding, caused by days of 

torrential rain, prompted hillsides to 

collapse and water and mud to sweep 

through communities, destroying 

anything in their path. According to 

health and civil defence officials, the 

disaster has left about 25,000 people 

homeless, of which only 13,000 might 

be able to return to their homes once 

the situation improves – the rest will 

need to find new places to live. 

Witnessing the devastation, Volvo 

Construction Equipment Latin America 

and its Brazilian dealer Tracbel quickly 

mobilised its machinery to join the relief 

effort in the areas worse hit by the 

floods. Luiz Gustavo, vice president of 

Tracbel, said they could not stand by 

and watch the disaster unfold without 

offering help. “We could see the extent 

of the catastrophe on the news and felt 

that we had to offer our support. We 

knew that if we sent some machines 

from our rental fleet, it would really help 

the region.” 

The Volvo machines are mainly 

working in Teresópolis, in the hills 

near Rio de Janeiro City, by far the 

most affected area. The machines 

are clearing the area of big stones 

and material brought down by the 

mudslides and using them as barriers 

to prevent further flooding. They are 

also reinforcing structure points and 

reconstructing houses and buildings. 

A Volvo EC034 crawler excavator helps the military to clear rubble and mud from 

the Teresópolis area, one of the worst affected areas in the Rio de Janeiro state. 

The Volvo machines include a BL60 

backhoe loader, ECR88 crawler 

excavator, EC55B compact excavator, 

and L60F and L90F wheel loaders. 

Volvo’s sister brand, SDLG, also supplied 

an LG936 wheel loader. Machine 

operators are being supplied by two of 

Tracbel’s construction customers in the 

Rio de Janeiro state. 

“The tragedy in Rio de Janeiro 

state has surprised everyone,” said 

Yoshio Kawakami, president of 

Volvo Construction Equipment Latin 

America. “Removal of the debris and 

the rocks is beyond human capability, 

so machines are essential to the relief 

A Volvo BL60 backhoe loader clears away debris left by the floods in Brazil. 

effort. Unfortunately, many people will not 

be able to return to their original homes, 

which were destroyed in the floods, so new 

homes need to be built. Machines bring 

hope for a faster return to normal life and 

we are glad that we can provide some relief 

for those suffering the effects of the floods.” 

Alongside many other responsible 

companies, Tracbel has sent over 

US$15,000 in food, water, cleaning and 

hygienic supplies to affected areas in 

Rio de Janeiro state. The money was 

donated by share holders and employees. 

Volvo employees are also consolidating a 

donation channel internally with collections 

currently in progress. 

7

NEWS 

JCB 

JCB is launching a 

new 4x4 to add to its 

WORKMAX brand of 

utility vehicles. 

The new model – the JCB WORKMAX 

800 D – offers 600 kg (1323 lb) 

maximum payload and will appeal 

to a wide variety of sectors including 

estates and land management, 

golf courses, sports arenas, local 

authorities, utilities, shows and events, 

leisure parks and rental. 

Its launch extends the range which 

also includes the current WORKMAX 

1000 D model 4x4, which is a heavy 

duty machine and the WORKMAX 

6x4, which is suitable for fine turf 

applications such as sports fields and 

golf. 

JCB began 2011 by announcing the 

switch to its WORKMAX branding 

to emphasise focus on work related 

applications performed increasingly 

more by utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) 

than ride-on all terrain vehicles (ATVs). 

8 

February 2011 

strengthens WoRKMaX range 

with new diesel model 

The choice of a 784cc Yanmar diesel 

engine coupled to a two-speed CVT 

with Kevlar belt positions the 800 D 

model in the middle of the growing 

mid-range UTV volume sector. The 

4x4 drive plus selectable diff lock 

is electronic. In keeping with JCB’s 

other models, the 800 D cab has a 

flat checkplate floor for uninterrupted 

access from either side, and bench or 

bucket seats. The steel-construction 

tipping cargo deck will take 400 kg. 

Underneath there’s a steel plate guard 

for major transmission components 

when engaged in unpredictable offroad 

environments 

such as forest 

tracks. Likewise, to 

protect the engine 

during wading 

the air intake 

is mounted as 

high as possible, 

waist-high inside 

the front stowage 

compartment. 

Alongside the 18 

month productdesign 

programme 

for the 800 D at the 

JCB Utility Products 

factory, Cheadle, 

Staffordshire, JCB 

has been extending 


its WORKMAX dealer network to 

encompass as wide a market coverage 

as possible. A new dealer appointment 

project has been underway throughout 

last year to add specialist ATV dealers 

to JCB’s established network covering 

main-line construction equipment 

dealers, and also specialist agricultural 

equipment dealers. Some 75 UK 

dealer outlets are now authorised to 

offer the JCB WORKMAX range. 

JCB Utility Products Sales Director 

Keith Hoskins says: “The breadth of 

JCB dealer coverage, plus the scope 

of their competences means we are in 

excellent shape to develop our UTV 

sales this year and focus on the new 

WORKMAX 800 D in particular.” 

He added: “The utility vehicle concept 

is still relatively new in the UK and 

Europe and there are a number of 

untapped growth sectors we want to 

explore and develop. It’s a product 

which can work alongside traditional 

JCB machines on construction sites, 

and equally the diverse nature of 

some farm equipment sectors present 

important opportunities. We are also 

expanding our coverage through 

specialist ATV dealers because we see 

the professional user migrating to the 

‘sit-in and carry’ concept rather than 

the exposed ‘ride-on and tow’ concept 

of the traditional 4x4 quad.”

easy access with lPg powered 

genQuip all-terrain welfare units 

genQuip, the South Wales based supplier of environmentally sensitive welfare units, 

has ramped up its production of LPG powered sets, due to an increasing demand 

from contractors operating in remote areas, such as forestry and agricultural workers. 

Peter Beach, GenQuip’s Business 

Development Manager explained, 

“We noted concerns raised by one of 

our clients, who undertook contracts 

in remote woodland environments, 

that they were finding it difficult to 

transport diesel fuel in these areas, 

due to the unfriendly surroundings. 

They also raised fears that leakage or 

spillage of diesel fuel could harm the 

environment in these sensitive places.” 

“Further research uncovered that 

a number of other contractors 

working in similar situations were 

experiencing the same problems and 

some water treatment plants were 

considering a complete ban on diesel 

engine generators,” added Peter. 

GenQuip’s inquiries discovered that 

contractors were navigating diesel fuel 

into these regions in towable bowsers 

and specially designed fuel tanks. This 

presented a number of difficulties, 

encompassing simple logistics, 

environmental issues relating to 

leakage, refueling and compliance with 

the stringent regulations relating to the 

storage and dispensation of diesel fuel. 

In order to overcome these problems, 

GenQuip has developed a welfare 

cabin powered by a generator fitted 

with an engine fuelled entirely from 

LPG fuel. These purposely-designed 

LPG generating sets are intended 

to help overcome the HM Customs 

and Excise – Registered Dealers in 

Controlled Oil Regulations – which 

controls the use of diesel oil on site. 

Using LPG fuel instead of diesel 

presents the operator with a number 

of benefits including lower running 

costs, easier and cleaner refuelling, 

prolonged continuous running 

(depending on the cylinder size), safer 

storage problems and less potential 

environmental damage due to spillages 


February 2011 

NEWS 

or leakage with quieter and cleaner 

emissions. In addition, owners of 

these welfare units will benefit from 

reduced maintenance costs, low oil 

usage and less damage incurred from 

the low loading of the generator. 

With the approach to some of these 

remote working areas very limited, 

GenQuip has developed an all-terrain 

welfare unit. This latest development 

comprises of a raised chassis, off-road 

tyres and built-in steps for safe access. 

“We now have a line of all-terrain 

welfare units which operate from 

LPG and are equipped with off-road 

facilities,” continued Peter. “We 

have already supplied four of these 

units to a major utility contractor 

and we anticipate that these sets 

will become increasingly popular 

with forestry workers, agricultural 

contractors and grid electricity teams 

working in distant surroundings.” 

9

NEWS 

Third Kramer 

loader for Champion 

Somerset based 

aggregates 

supply company 

A.J. Champion 

& Sons, has 

taken delivery 

of one of 

Kramer’s latest 

680T wheeled 

loaders, its third 

machine from 

the German 

manufacturer. 

The company supplies a wide variety 

of products, including sand, ballast, 

hardcore and decorative gravel, 

mostly to local builders, merchants 

and homeowners, at a current total 

rate of some 700 tonne every week. 

Having experienced excellent 

performance and reliability from 

its two previous Kramer loaders, 

Champion had no hesitation in 

ordering the new 680T from the local 

dealer, Roy Francis Plant Sales of 

Melksham. 

Commenting on the new Kramer 

model, Steve Champion said: “We 

really like the 4-wheel steer system 

which enables the machine to 

accurately manoeuvre around our 

busy yard. In fact, its steering lock is 

almost like a London taxi!” 

The 680T has been equipped with 

a smaller than standard 1.6 m wide 

bucket which best suits the needs 

of the customer because, combined 

10 

February 2011 

with the unit’s telescopic boom, the 

machine can not only fill the high 

level hoppers of the company’s 

bagging plant but also place split 

loads onto delivery vehicles across 

their tailgates. 

Launched last year, the 680T 

belongs to Kramer’s 80 premium 

series of wheeled loaders and can 

be equipped with a wide choice of 

accessories to meet the specific 

demands of every customer. 

The machine is powered by a 

Deutz diesel engine developing 

58kW (79 hp) which is coupled 

to Kramer’s latest high-pressure 

hydrostatic transmission which 

provides up to 23% more tractive 

force than the previous version. 

Despite its compact dimensions, 

the telescopic boom of the 680T 

provides an impressive lift height 

of 4680 mm and its rigid frame 

layout ensures outstanding 

stability at all times. 

Youngman launches 

first ever self-propelled 

micro scissor lift 

Youngman Group, a leading supplier of 

innovative work at height solutions, has 

announced an addition to its successful range 

of BoSS X-Series micro scissor lifts in the 

form of its first ever self-propelled machine. 

The BoSS X3X-SP is designed to be the 

smallest, lightest and most manoeuvrable 

self-propelled lift currently available and offers 

a host of features which set new standards of 

performance in low-level access. 

The X3X-SP has a maximum working height 

and safe working load of 5.14 m and 150 kg 

respectively and, thanks to an overall width 

of just 0.76 m, can easily pass through a 

standard doorway or into a passenger lift. 

The machine therefore offers the perfect 

solution for many high level repair and 

maintenance tasks. 

A key feature of the machine is its ability to 

be driven and precisely manoeuvred by the 

operator, being able to turn within its own 

footprint of just 1.27 m, even when at full 

height and with the 0.4 m platform extension 

in place. This ability to drive the platform from 

work point to work point without the operator 

having to dismount and manually push the unit 

each time will save a considerable amount 

of time and effort, resulting in a greater 

throughput of work. In addition, a castor 

lock feature ensures straight line driving 

when required as well as pothole protection 

activation. 

Weighing in at 

495 kg, the new 

lift also has many 

of the standard 

features found on 

its push around 

stablemates 

including a 

tilt sensor 

and overload 

protection as 

well as easyto-access 

serviceable 

components 

mounted within 

a slide-out 

compartment.

First liebherr industrial 

rehandler for halifax Metals 

Halifax Metals has taken 

delivery of its first Liebherr 

Industrial Rehandler – a 

wheeled A 904 C HD, 

a high specification, 

heavy-duty, long-reach 

machine in scrap handling 

configuration which is 

now hard at work at 

the company’s ferrous 

and non-ferrous metals 

recycling facilities in 

Shay Lane, Halifax. 

Halifax Metals researched 

the market to source the 

best possible machine 

for the job. Owner Pete 

Tallis said “We had a look 

at a number of similar 

operations and were 

impressed how many of 

them were successfully 

using Liebherr machines. 

This, and the fact 

that it’s a factory-built 

specialist scrap handler, 

was a big influence in 

our buying decision. 

We’re very pleased 

with its build quality and 

performance and are 

confident that it will serve 

us well for many years”. 

The A 904 C HD Litronic 

is a 24t class wheeled 

machine and features four 

hydraulic outriggers for 

exceptional stability and 

maximum lifting capacities 

up to 4.50t at 10.50m 

radius. The level IIIA / 

Tier 3 reduced emissions 

Liebherr engine develops 

105kW and is extremely 

fuel efficient. The industrial 

straight monobloc boom 

is 7.10m in length and the 

machine is equipped with a 

Type GM65 5-tine grapple 

for direct attachment onto 

the 5m industrial angled 

stick and a magnet system 

has also been retro-fitted. 

The heavy-duty 8-wheeled 

undercarriage is fitted 

with Gumasol 10.00-20/ 

SP20 (MH4) twin tyres 

with intermediate rings 

and a central lubrication 

system is included. 

The cab is hydraulically 

elevating, giving the 

operator an ideal 

raised line-of-sight of 

5.16m for maximum 

operating safety and 

accuracy. The cab is 

air-conditioned with an 

air-suspended seat, 

full instrumentation 

and Litronic engine 

and hydraulics 

management system 

and monitor for 

real-time read-out of 

machine performance 

and condition. 

Additional operational 

safety equipment 

includes a front 

windscreen guard, 

a FOPS top guard, 

extra front and rear 

headlights, an amber 

roof beacon and, for 

all-round rear space 

monitoring, Halifax 

Metals’ A 904 C HD 

is equipped with a 

rear-view camera and 

in-cab colour screen. 

NEWS 

Speedy 

launches new site 

set-up service 

Speedy has launched a new service 

to help project managers set up 

construction sites. The Speedy Site 

Solution is a new consultancy-led 

service which helps to map out and 

supply essential communications, 

accommodation and security needs 

before a construction project starts. 

Once planned, a dedicated Speedy 

representative will be able to provide 

full site communications such as a 

landline telephone and broadband 

access within fourteen days rather 

than the usual three months. Known 

as the Speedy ‘Canopy’ service it 

can be installed on a temporary or 

permanent basis without the need to 

dig for cabling. 

To guarantee site security, the 

scheme offers use of a mobile JCB 

CCTV tower which provides site 

control 24/7 from a remote monitoring 

centre. Through the security 

programme, Speedy can also provide 

MSite, an all-in-one biometric access 

control system. Through hand or 

iris recognition, the system allows a 

range of functions from simple access 

control to time management and 

carbon footprint data by monitoring 

site workers’ activity. 

As part of the Site Solution scheme 

accommodation units are also 

available for a variety of purposes 

including office space, storage 

and welfare. Additional site set-up 

products can also be provided through 

the service such as fencing, power 

generation, furniture and heating. 

Darren Evley, managing director of 

Speedy Site Solutions said: “Delays 

in installing communications, security 

and proper accommodation can 

cost construction projects time and 

money. Speedy Site Solutions offers 

an integrated service which brings 

together our extensive product 

portfolio and professional expertise 

to help project managers identify 

the exact requirements of a site and 

source the appropriate equipment.” 

February 2011 

11

SPECIAL REPORT 

Glorious 

GlOBus 

GLOVES 

For over a decade 

and a half, Globus has 

established an enviable 

reputation as a leading 

UK specialist in hand and 

arm protection. Providing 

highly advanced, innovative 

products that protect and 

support workers, Globus 

are successful in all market 

sectors from the rigours 

of Heavy Construction to 

the complexity of Clean 

Room and Aerospace 

Manufacturing. 

Selecting the correct glove 

type for the right task is 

as vital as ensuring you 

have the right tool to do a 

job. With a portfolio of over 

12 

February 2011 

200 products from three 

complementary brands, – 

SHOWA,BESTand SKYTEC, 

Globus has access to high 

performance gloves that 

deliver benefits companies 

may never have even 

considered. 

Within the Globus portfolio 

there are several ‘world’s 

first’ and inventions. SHOWA 

created the very first 

seamless, dipped lightweight 

glove as well as the iconic 

Orange Grip Glove which 

still outperforms every one 

of the thousands of copies 

it has spawned ! BEST 

created the world’s first ever 

nitrile disposable glove. With 

patented manufacturing 

technology, this glove still 

remains the benchmark that 

everyone else aspires to 

reach. 

‘Original and still the best’ 

is a mantra found deep in 

the psyche of all Globus 

activities. With a very strong 

approach to delivering 

improvements for the worker 

through education, durability 

and comfort, Globus never 

underestimate the necessity 

to provide a robust business 

case to support product 

introduction. Recognising 

you are unlikely to be able 

to charge more for your 

products or service simply 

because of the gloves you 

wear, Globus has a long list 

of satisfied customers who 

having made the switch, can 

point to demonstrable and 

significant savings. 

Globus’ extended range 

fulfils all legal obligations 

to provide safe PPE in the 

workplace, encouraging 

widespread wearer 

acceptance, while 

simultaneously delivering 

value for money. The 

extended life of Globus’ 

gloves improves workplace 

productivity, company 

“green” credentials and 

transactional costs. 

From two UK locations, 

Globus delivers outstanding 

distribution and support. 

Extensive logistical, sales, 

marketing and technical 

service and support is 

provided from its impressive 

site in Manchester, which 

ensures industry-leading 

delivery response times 

and holds large stocks of 

products, so guaranteeing 

consistency of supply. An 

additional site in Shetland 

provides administrative 

and local sales support, 

as well as specialist stock 


and service. Together, 

the two locations ensure 

excellent service to Globus’ 

extensive distributor 

network underpinned by a 

zero tolerance approach 

to product or service 

deficiency. 

Everyone’s needs are 

different so a unique facet 

of Globus comes in the form 

of bespoke solution building 

for customers. This can draw 

on any number of areas 

of expertise depending on 

requirements, thus ensuring 

a tailored solution for every 

customer. 

Michael Easton is Globus’ 

Sales and Marketing 

Director. He says: “HSE 

statistics show there were 

over 40,000 reported 

major or over-three day 

injuries to hands, wrists, 

fingers and upper limbs in 

2009/10, not including vast 

numbers of less serious or 

unreported incidents. For 

workers, there is clearly an 

unacceptable level of pain, 

distress and lost working 

time. And for the employer, 

productivity, confidence and 

trust are all undermined. 

Globus is dedicated to 

educating health and safety 

professionals, procurement 

managers and wearers 

alike about the importance 

of specifying the correct 

hand protection for the 

various tasks encountered, 

rather than focusing on 

cost per pair - often a false 

economy. Gloves should add 

to the workers’ experience 

and performance, making 

them more valuable to the 

company and the company 

more valuable to their 

customers.” 

Easton continues: “We 

constantly reinforce this 

message via bespoke 

training and implementation

packages for customers. 

Ensuring the employee 

understands and accepts 

their role in protecting 

themselves is an often 

ignored area. Our 

approach has seen our 

customers rewarded 

by a reduction in handrelated 

injuries, one of the 

biggest areas of concern 

in many industries. We 

are striving to change 

the culture of discarding 

gloves once a shift is 

over and our product 

range is designed and 

manufactured to be used 

over a period of several 

days. Both managers and 

end-users can be safe 

in the knowledge that 

Globus will always support 

them with the very latest 

products, materials and 

service and we are adept 

at helping companies see 

the true financial benefits 

our range delivers.” 

To obtain further information, 

or if you would like a visit 

from one of the Globus’ 

Hand Protection Experts, 

contact Michael Easton, 

Sales and Marketing 

Director, in the first instance, 

at michael@globus.co.uk or 

telephone 0161 8774747. 

Globus (Shetland) Ltd 

Globus Building 

38 Wheel Forge Way 

Trafford Park 

Manchester 

M17 1EH 

www.globus.co.uk 

Michael Easton 

Sales and Marketing Director 


All Globus gloves comply with relevant European Standards, such as EN388 standard 

for resistance to abrasion, cutting, tearing and puncture, and EN420 for glove design and 

efficiency and relevant test methods. All gloves carry the CE Mark in accordance with 

current legislation. Rigorous daily testing and quality control inspection ensures continuity 

and reliably improves safety for the wearer. All SHOWA and BEST branded products are 

manufactured in company owned premises with retained staff. 

All Showa gloves are made to a patented process from virgin raw materials and are designed 

for easy movement and continuous wear. They are seamless, washable at up to 40°C, using 

neutral detergent, and are available in a wide size range 

Showa 310 

The most revolutionary glove of the last 50 years, Showa 310 

Grip Orange glove features a seamless, light and supple cotton/ 

polyester knit liner, which prevents irritation and ensures both 

durability and flexibility. An elasticated cuff ensures a secure fit 

and reduces lateral movement of the glove on the hand. The 

natural latex coating of the glove, with its rough finish, protects 

the hand from micro-cuts, tearing, puncturing and abrasion and 

extends the life of the glove, while guaranteeing excellent grip 

on both dry and moist objects. Only the palm of the glove is 

coated, so the knuckles remain free, ensuring good dexterity. 

The 310 is ideal for use on building sites, in carpentry, floor 

tiling, framework, highway maintenance, masonry, quarry work, roofing, transport and logistics. 

Showa S-TEX KV3 

Of particular use in the mechanical, metallurgical and glass 

industries, the S-TEX KV3 is made of a stainless steel/polyester 

reinforced heat-resistant aramid fibre knit. The glove has 

a natural latex coated palm, an extended cuff that protects 

the wrist and keeps the glove in place and a rough, durable 

finish, giving optimal flexibility and protection. Its innovative 

anatomical shape follows the contours of the human hand to 

provide genuine comfort. 

Showa 541 Palm Plus 

Recommended for use in precision tasks in mechanical 

industries, automotive work, construction, roofing and metal 

or glass handling, the light, flexible Showa 541 is a high 

performance fibre, seamlessly knit with a polyurethane coated 

palm and fingers providing excellent resistance to abrasions, 

tears and cuts whilst affording fantastic dexterity. This glove 

has become the industry standard for both glass and aerospace 

engineering tasks. 

Showa 377 

The Showa 377 Nitrile Foam Grip offers total hand protection 

in wet, oily and hazardous environments, such as in 

aerospace or automobile industries, painting, construction and 

petrochemicals. With a double dipped nitrile coating over the 

polyester/nylon liner, this robust glove protects users from oil, 

grease, hydrocarbons and abrasion, while affording a high level 

of grip and excellent agility, making it the glove of choice for 

sectors such as oil & gas. 

More overleaf 


February 2011 

13


Zorbit HV 4570 

Perfect for use in 

construction, mining, 

mechanics, automotive 

and outdoor maintenance, 

the fluorescent orange 

Zorbit HV sponge nitrile 

coated glove is the first 

high visibility sponge 

nitrile glove on the 

market. Engineered to 

deliver a sure grip in 

the most difficult oily or greasy conditions, the Zorbit glove 

is perfect for protecting the hand from oils, hydrocarbons, 

grease and abrasion. The glove has a breathable back of 

hand to reduce perspiration, a breathable seamless nylon 

liner and is ergo-designed for maximum comfort. 

7005PF N-DEX Original 

Best is renowned for 

its innovative advanced 

range of disposable 

hand protection.The 

revolutionary N-DEX 

Original is the world’s 

first nitrile disposable 

glove that led the way 

in the creation of a new 

market for latex-free 

disposable gloves. Widely 

used in chemical and 

petrochemical industries the N-DEX Original protects the 

hand against chemical splashes, oils, solvents and abrasions. 

7700PF N-DEX Nighthawk 

The N-DEX Nighthawk is 

a powder-free disposable 

glove, with a secondskin 

feel to it. Made 

from 100% acceleratorfree 

nitrile, the N-DEX 

Nighthawk is designed 

to help avoid common 

allergies associated with 

latex gloves. It protects 

the hand from a wide 

array of chemical hazards 

while avoiding latex 

allergies. Easy to put on and remove, it is antistatic and can 

be worn on either hand. The N-DEX Nighthawk is well suited 

for use in automotive or electronics assembly and for general 

maintenance tasks. 

14 

February 2011 

Skytec Ninja Knight 

The Skytec Ninja 

Knight offers the 

unique combination 

of a lightweight, 

flexible, yet highperformance 

machine-washable 

glove. With fantastic 

grip in both wet and 

dry conditions, the 

Ninja Knight protects 

the hand from cut 

risks to the maximum (European Standard EN388 cut level 

5). The Ninja Knight is ideal for precision operations such 

as injection moulding and metal fabrication in industries 

such as glass, engineering, transport and aerospace. It 

features a seamless HPPE (high performance polyethylene) 

liner with a bi-polymer coated palm, high durability, tear and 

abrasion resistance and an anatomical design for comfort, 

dexterity and snug fit.

CASE STUDY 1: 

THE BYRNE GROUP 

Globus Gloves helping towards the Olympics 

The Byrne Group plc is a large building development firm 

whose many high-profile projects include Europe’s tallest 

building – The Shard at London Bridge – and the O2 Arena. 

The company is currently working on the construction of the 

2012 London Olympic Park in Stratford, including the concrete 

works for the Olympic stadium. 

The challenge 

Byrne Group’s workers had been throwing away several pairs 

of protective gloves every day because they were ill-fitting, 

caused sweaty hands and became odorous. Apart from the 

huge waste of resources, unpleasantness for the workers and 

reduction in productivity, this was contrary to the company’s 

policy of encouraging workers to wear their PPE to safeguard 

their health and safety. Michelle Tilley, Byrne Group’s Director 

For Health, Safety, Environment and HR, said: “As well as there 

being a significant and increasing number of hand injuries, the 

gloves were the bane of our workers’ lives.” 

The solution 

Byrne Group has been using for the last two years a selection 

of long-lasting, highly protective gloves from Globus that fit 

comfortably and securely, so encouraging worker co-operation. 

Michelle explained: “Globus developed a bespoke plan that 

ensured our workforce had the correct gloves in the right size 

for the tasks they were undertaking. They were trained onsite 

in weekly sessions in glove use and selection and understand 

how much better and longer lasting these gloves are.” Globus 

also undertakes regular reviews to ensure sustainable 

improvement and to quickly resolve any new issues that may 

arise. 

The outcome 

Michelle commented: “Globus has been tenacious in winning 

over our operatives to their gloves. Now our workers are happy, 

injuries have dramatically reduced, and a robust business case 

has showed great 

cost benefits to Byrne. 

Changing a culture is 

difficult, but now our 

guys will not give up 

their gloves – they 

take them home and 

wash them, rather 

than throw them away, 

and really appreciate 

the difference 

they make to their 

working day. Through 

working closely with 

our people, Globus 

delivered significant 

improvements.” 

CASE STUDY 2: 


EXEMPLAR PROJECT 

(BAE SYSTEMS) 

Reducing cuts and lacerations 

Globus is a key partner to global defence, 

security and aerospace company BAE 

Systems, and has been working closely with 

the “Exemplar” project, a best practice project 

aimed at reducing hand related accidents & 

incidents through focused wearer interaction, 

training, evaluations and tool box talks. The 

project is also focused on value for money 

and fit for purpose head to toe protection 

with Globus being the preferred specialist in 

hand protection. Regular reviews take place 

to ensure compliance, innovation is being 

presented and commercially, all parties benefit. 

Howard Tattersall, SHE advisor at BAE’s 

Samlesbury, Lancashire, site, explained: 

“Close monitoring of accidents highlighted 

that cuts were an issue that needed to be 

addressed. Globus visited us and left a 

selection of their Showa unique assembly 

gloves for a trial period, including a ‘palm fit’ 

range specially designed to give a closer, 

more tactile feel, so offering the user greater 

dexterity. The gloves turned out to be much 

better than those we had previously been 

using, so we went on to trial an anti-cut glove 

for use when our operators handle sharp 

components or knives. These new gloves 

offered excellent cut protection and were very 

dexterous.” Using Globus’ cut-resistant gloves 

led to an initial 32 per cent drop in the number 

of accidents involving cuts. 

When SHE teams within BAE examined the 

causes of accidents in each of the company’s 

production areas in order to find ways to 

reduce the accident toll, they discovered that 

cuts and lacerations were responsible for more 

than 50 per cent of all accidents. Using gloves 

Showa 540D palm fit 

cut-resistant glove 

from the Globus 

ranges that offer 

much improved 

protection has 

resulted in 

extremely positive 

feedback from 

operators. Globus 

gloves have now 

become standard 

issue on the sites. 

February 2011 

15


16 

February 2011 

The HAVmeter 

receives national 

acclaim after scooping 

successes in the UK’s 

leading health and 

safety awards. 

The HAVmeter, a device created 

by Edinburgh-based Reactec 

that monitors exposure to 

hand arm vibration levels, has 

been recognised in both the 

Occupational Health Awards and 

the National Joint Utilities Group 

(NJUG) Awards. 

The technology, used by some 

of the biggest names in the UK’s 

construction and utilities industries, 

helps reduce injuries and ailments 

associated with the excessive use 

of industrial power tools. 

for Reactec’s haVmeter 

The HAVmeter was instrumental 

in helping Severn Trent Water 

win the NJUG Safety Award for 

the water giant’s ongoing drive 

to reduce hand arm vibration 

syndrome (HAVS) among its 

street works teams. 

James Clutterbuck, director 

of WHC Hire Services, 

which provides Severn Trent 

Water with all of its vibrating 

construction equipment, said 

that the innovative devices were 

key to the firm’s ongoing safety 

commitments. 

He said: “There are a lot of 

devices on the market that claim 

to reduce injury and monitor the 

vibration levels that workers are 

exposed to, but none of them 

are anywhere near as good as 

the HAVmeter. It is miles ahead 

of the rest of its competitors. 


“In the past, you would have 

to physically write down how 

long you had spent using 

a vibrating power tool in 

order to work out when you 

were approaching the safe 

limits for the day. It wasn’t 

a precise method at all, and 

was open to error – which 

meant that the risks of 

people contracting HAVS 

were still high. 

“The beauty of the HAVmeter 

is that it’s easy to use and 

it precisely monitors the 

vibration levels that you’re 

exposed to. It uses accurate 

data tailored to each user 

and, if you get to your limit, 

the device flashes and you’re 

done – which greatly reduces 

the chance of injury and 

any resulting litigation from 

workers.

“The meters form a big part of our ongoing 

safety drive with Severn Trent Water and 

we’re delighted that this has now been 

rewarded with an NJUG Safety Award.” 

The HAVmeters have also been used in an 

ongoing safety initiative by Aston Martin to 

prevent HAVS among its staff – which led to 

the automotive firm being shortlisted for the 

Risk Management and Prevention of Ill Health 

prize at the Occupational Health Awards. 

Jim O’Hagan, from Reactec, said: “To be 

highlighted by two of the UK’s biggest health 

and safety awards is a great testament to the 

success of our HAVmeters. 

“It’s a tool that is fast becoming the industry 

standard for monitoring hand arm vibration 

levels, and the companies that use the meters 

are being rightly seen as the pioneers of 

health and safety in their fields. 

“Severn Trent Water and their contractor WHC 

Hire Services have been using HAVmeters 

for some time now and these are proving 

instrumental in helping their street works 

teams reduce the chances of developing 

HAVS. The fact that this forward-thinking 

approach has just won them one of the top 

prizes at the NJUG Awards is a great 

testament to the success of the technology. 

“The meters have also been responsible 

for Aston Martin being shortlisted for 

another major UK health and safety award, 

and this is further recognition of how our 

devices are keeping industrial power tool 

workers safe across the country.” 

The HAVmeter is a small, easy 

to use device that resembles a 

standard pager and is used to 

monitor exposure to hand arm 

vibration among workers using 

hand-held tools. The technology 

measures and records the trigger 

time and vibration levels and 

ensures machinery operators do 

not exceed the recommended 

levels stipulated by the Health & 

Safety Executive. 

By using the HAVmeter technology, 

workers are able to minimise 

exposure to hand arm vibration 

syndrome – one of the biggest 

risks associated with using hand 

held vibrating power tools. More 

commonly known as Vibration 

White Finger, the disease affects 

the functionality of blood vessels 

resulting in symptoms such as 


What is the HAVmeter? 


numbness or tingling of the 

fingers, loss of strength in the 

hands and the cold whitening of 

the fingertips. 

The symptoms worsen over time, 

often becoming permanent. If no 

action is taken to prevent further 

vibration exposure, sufferers can 

experience severe pain, resulting 

in an inability to work in cold or 

damp conditions or even carry out 

simple everyday tasks, such as 

holding a glass. 

Reactec is the UK leader in 

providing vibration analysis and 

validation for the design stage 

of new and next-generation 

technology products, and offers 

a range of services from expert 

consultancy to full project 

implementation 

February 2011 

17


Making sure the face fits at 

JSP is Europe’s 

leading independent 

manufacturer of ‘above 

the neck’ personal 

protective equipment 

(PPE). The company is 

strongly committed to 

innovation backed by 

an in-house R&D team 

with manufacturing 

and testing bases in 

Oxford, England. Using 

these well established 

facilities JSP design 

and manufacture truly 

innovating products 

such as the EVO8 ® , 

the first and only 

high performance 

side impact industrial 

safety helmet meeting 

EN14052, and 

Filterspec ® , a combined 

eye and respiratory 

product which is 

helping lead the fight 

against Silica dust. 

In a two-part special 

feature PEP takes a 

closer look at these 

two products, as 

well as finding out 

more about JSP the 

company and some 

of its other products. 

In this issue we take a 

look at Filterspec ® and 

also the services JSP 

can provide for face fit 

testing of respirators. 

But first let’s meet JSP. 

18 

February 2011 

British ingenuity for 

world markets 

For more than 40 years, JSP has been 

synonymous with innovation, quality and 

reliability. Internationally recognised as the 

leading independent personal protective 

equipment manufacturer in Europe, JSP is 

dedicated to manufacturing a broad range 

of equipment designed to give people 

the protection they need in their lives and 

workplace. 

JSP has total control of the safety 

manufacturing process, starting with sourcing 

and sorting materials from internationally 

recognised suppliers, to moulding and 

assembly, and finally packaging of the 

many products in the safety range. High 

ongoing investments in plant sites and latest 

machinery equipment, has allowed vertical 

integration of manufacturing - ensuring direct 

quality control of the complete programme. 

Products are manufactured under its worldwide 

QMS (Quality Management System) that 

meets, and is registered by, the British 

Standards Institute (BSI) to ISO 9001:2000. 

This ensures proper batch control, including 

testing and recording of each manufactured 

batch to the relevant EN standard. 

JSP maintains a consistently high investment 

in its own internal research and development 

(R&D) department which is tasked with 

designing new products and the continuous 

improvement of established ones. The R&D 

team, which has over 50 years combined 

experience, uses a mix of traditional and 

current development techniques; the R&D 

facility comprises an open plan ‘think-tank’ 

style office and a fully equipped model-making 

workshop. 

This commitment to innovation and original 

design has led to several recent original PPE 

developments, including: 

Filterspec ® – a combined eye and respiratory product that 

enables both items of PPE to work at full effectiveness, but as an 

integrated single unit, solving the problem of non-compatibility that 

causes masks to leak and eye protection to mist up. 

Mk8 evolution (eVo8 ® ) - the world’s first high performance 

side impact industrial helmet that meets the new European Standard 

EN14052 for side impact protection. 

necProtech ® - a lightweight, comfortable neck support brace 

for those who have to work above shoulder level, proven to greatly 

reduce neck pain, strain and injury. Fully adjustable for all sizes the 

Necprotech slips on just like a backpack. 

Flexinet ® - a moulded disposable respiratory mask which 

protects against dust and water based mists, and provides P2 or P3 

levels of filtering for people working with organic and inorganic substances. 

Its flexible outer netting and an integral exhalation valve 

ensure shape retention and a secure seal over long wear periods. 

JSP also invests heavily in custom-designed test equipment, which is used with products 

across all its markets. It has equipment for shooting high speed particles at eyewear, for 

dropping test weights onto helmets and for drawing dust particles through respirator masks. 

It can project sound at ear defenders, measure the stability of traffic cones and gauge the 

reflective quality of road barriers and signs. Every product conforms to the appropriate British, 

European, American and International performance specifications, and testing is conducted in 

its extensive BS EN IS0 9002 registered test laboratory.

Filterspec ® - the 

integrated solution 

The problem of incompatible safety 

eyewear and disposable masks has 

made respirator fit testing a challenge 

for almost a decade. FilterSpec® 

offers the solution by combining eye 

and respiratory protection into one 

unit overcoming problems with ill 

fitting masks, fogged lenses and nonconformity 

that can often occur when 

one item of PPE compromises another. 

Fit testing of tight fitting respiratory 

protection is mandated in HSE 

information document OC 282/28 

and should be conducted with 

workers wearing their usual PPE; 

when different eye and respiratory 

PPE are later used the fit test results 

become irrelevant. Safety eyewear 

and masks can reduce each other’s 

effectiveness because eyewear frames 

compromise the seal of the mask 

and lead to lens misting and reduced 

respiratory protection. Combining eye 

and respiratory protection into one unit 

provides optimum wearer comfort and 

protection, and overcomes the problem 

of leaky masks and fogged lenses that 

often occur when one item of PPE 

compromises another. 

Filter Mask 

Disposable filter mask element for optimum protection. 

Re-usable filter holder element for an economic PPE 

solution. 

Conformity to EN1827:1999:+A1:2009 

Lightweight for user comfort. (Under 60g) 

Exhale valve fitted for increased filter element longevity. 

Supplied with 3 filter elements. 

Removable, replaceable elastic strapping. 

Goggle 

Stylish goggle design providing impact protection. 

Fully adjustable dual wide fitting elastic harness for 

optimum fit & comfort 

Anti-Mist as standard. 

Anti-Scratch coating as standard. 

5.5 base, one-piece lens offering optimal coverage. 

Suitable for use with prescription (Rx) eyewear. 

Conformity to EN166.1.B.TFilter Mask 

FilterSpec®, and a goggle version 

called FilterSpec® Pro, allow both 

eye and respiratory protection to 

work as an integrated unit, so that 

a perfect fit is achieved for both 

items of PPE. The lens is antimist 

and anti-scratch coated as 

standard, and the mask holder and 

filter weigh less than 60g, including 

an integral exhaust valve. A nose 

piece holds the valve in line with the 

wearer’s nose and keeps the internal 

environment cooler and drier, and 

the lens free of fogging. 

FilterSpec® and FilterSpec® Pro 

are economic and durable, and 

mean that only one piece of PPE 

and not two is required for storage, 

maintenance and resupply. The 

spectacles conform to EN166.1F, 

the goggle conforms to EN166.1B 

and the mask conforms to 

EN1827:1999 +A1 :2009 (available 

as FMP2, FMP2 with valve, FMP2 

with odour layer and valve and 

FMP3 with valve). According to JSP 

the FilterSpec out exceeds EN1827 

for breathing resistance by more 

than HALF and performs over 3% 

above the standard for filtration 

efficiency. 

FilterSpec ® and FilterSpec ® Pro specifications 


Spectacle 

Stylish spectacle element design. 

Fully adjustable spectacle frame for maximum 

comfort & security 

6.5 base, one-piece lens offering optimal coverage. 

Anti-Mist Coating on Lens as standard. 

Anti-Scratch Coating on Lens as standard. 

Conformity to EN166.1.F 

Wide range of lens coatings available. 

Wide range of colour combinations available. 

FilterSpec ® 

FilterSpec ® Pro 

February 2011 

19


20 

February 2011 

provide a fitting solution 

JSP offer a full fit testing service for quantitative 

and qualitative face fit testing methods and a 

“train the trainer” training programme. 

Qualitative Fit testing 

The qualitative fit test can be used 

on what are defined as tight fitting 

respirators, with the exception 

of full face masks. It relies on 

a subjective sensation (taste, 

irritation, smell) of the respirator 

wearer to a particular test agent. 

Qualitative fit testing can be 

used not only as a test method 

to ensure your employees are 

properly protected, but also as a 

very effective way of training them 

in the correct way of fitting a mask. 

Dust and half masks commonly fail 

to do the job they are intended to 

do because of poor fitting and care 

by the user. The seal between the 

Quantitative Fit testing 

The quantitative fit test procedure 

can be used on all tight fitting 

respirators including full face 

masks, although generally 

speaking this method will not be 

used when disposable dust masks 

are the respiratory protective 

equipment being used. The 

quantitative fit test procedure uses 

an instrument that samples and 

measures airborne particulates 

inside the mask. It not only checks 

how well protected an employer’s 

staff are, but can also offer training 

in the correct fitting and care of 

the respirator being tested. 

JSP use the Portacount from TSI 

to carry out on-site quantitative fit 

testing. This is an easily portable 

particle counting device that has 

been developed in the United 

States of America. It has been 

well tested in this market over 

many years. Unlike in the EU, 

masks in the US are only tested 

face and the edge of the mask is 

the most common problem area. 

The test employs a hood to create 

a small test chamber around the 

users head, and a test solution 

which has a bitter taste. It is the 

same type of solution that is put 

on children’s toys and fingernails 

to stop them being chewed. As the 

test uses these two consumable 

parts and is designed to be 

carried out by the employer, it 

is a very cost effective solution 

for assessing the ability of the 

selected respiratory protective 

equipment and the training 

given to protect the employee. 

for their filtering efficiency and not 

on a selection of users to check the 

inward leakage of contaminants as 

we do in the EU. The problem with 

any standards testing is that it cannot 

take into account the large variation 

in the shapes of people’s faces and 

therefore it is important to know that a 

mask actually fits the wearer’s face. 

With all respiratory protective 

equipment, the most common problem 

is the fit of the mask to the wearer’s 

face and the care taken of the mask. 

Quantitative fit testing is a very 

effective, and importantly, measurable 

way of ensuring that a user has a 

mask that will give him/her adequate 

levels of protection. Portacount works 

by comparing the particles outside 

a wearer’s mask, with those inside 

it, that have got past the face seal. 

JSP’s respiratory technicians will 

first check that there is a suitable 

number of particles in the area that 

the masks are to be tested in. 


At the end of the test, a report 

is produced for inclusion in the 

employee’s records. While this 

report is being printed JSP’s 

respiratory technician will give 

the wearer instructions in the 

care of his/her respirator. 

Quantitative fit testing provides 

the employer with a measurable 

result for a particular mask on 

a particular employee and is 

therefore an extremely important 

part of an effective health 

and safety programme. 

For further information contact JSP at: 

JSP Ltd, Worsham Mill, Minster Lovell, 

Oxfordshire, OX29 0TA 

Web: www.jsp.co.uk 

Tel: 01993 826050 

Email: uksales@jsp.co.uk 

To arrange for a site visit from one of JSP’s 

respiratory technicians, please contact 01993 

826050 or email: technical.service@jsp.co.uk

Top safety accreditation for 

THORWORLD 

Loading and unloading 

equipment specialists 

Thorworld Industries 

Ltd has achieved the 

prestigious SAFE contractor 

accreditation in recognition 

of its high standards of 

health and safety practices. 

Under the independent SAFEcontractor 

scheme, businesses undergo a 

vetting process which examines their 

health and safety procedures and 

track record for safe practice. Only 

those companies that meet the very 

highest standards are accepted into 

the scheme. Accredited contractors 

are included on a database enabling 

member organisations to vet potential 

contractors before they even set foot 

on-site. What’s more, these users 

agree that they will only engage 

those contractors who have received 

accreditation. 

The SAFEcontractor scheme has been 

running since 1999 and a wealth of 

well-known names have signed up to 

use the scheme to vet contractors, 

including Nestle, Kellogg, Debenhams 

and Virgin to name but a few. 

Thorworld managing director John 

Meale said: “Health and safety is vitally 

important to us, in everything we do 

- it’s a fundamental keystone of our 

business from initial product design and 

development through to manufacturing 

and installation. 

“SAFEcontractor accreditation allows 

us to further demonstrate our positive 

commitment to health and safety, 

confirming to prospective customers 

that we have all the right systems and 

procedures firmly in place.” 

Thorworld is firmly established as one of 

the foremost designers, manufacturers and 

suppliers to the loading bay and materials 

handling sectors and is recognised as both 

a market leader and innovator in the supply 

of quality engineered equipment. 

BSI registered with ISO 9002 accreditation 

since 1992, it was one of the first 

companies in the industry to achieve the 

latest international quality management 

ISO 9001 (2008) standard, and now has an 

extensive list of prestige customers across 

a wide range of industries and business 

types, including distribution, logistics, 

transport, retail, food, drink, manufacturing, 

industry, waste management and recycling 

and the service sector. 

Thorworld provides a one-stop, single 

source for the UK’s widest range of high 

quality loading bay and materials handling 

equipment, safety aids and accessories, 

including dock seals and shelters, dock 

levellers, modular loading docks, dock 

plates and boards, dock and vehicle 

bumpers, wheel chocks, vehicle restraints, 

traffic lights, dock lights, wheel guides 

and alignment curbs, access ramps, 

trailer safety jacks and mobile yardramps 

- (yardramps are available for purchase or 

rental on a sale or return basis through the 

company’s RentARamp division) - together 

with the Truckloada mobile yardlift and the 

Dockloada scissor lift platform. 



February 2011 

21

A-PLANT LAUNCHES 

BRAND NEW USER 

FRIENDLY WEBSITE... 

A-Plant has launched a brand new website to allow 

customers to navigate round the site far easier than ever 

before and access a host of new interactive features. 

For more information visit www.aplant.com or 

22 

February 2011 

Features on the A-Plant website include: 

• An online product catalogue 

• Equipment specifications and user instructions 

• Place order enquiries 24 hours, 7 days a week 

• An extensive Health and Safety resource section 

• All the latest A-Plant news 

• Location finder and TomTom POI download 

• Comprehensive video library 

• Links to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn 

The website continues to provide A-Plant customers 

with secure access to an Extranet account whereby 

you can access a huge range of contract and 

financial information, live hire reports, A-Trak and 

much more.

call 0370 050 0797 

February 2011 

23 

Control Code: 01/11/2050


Safety case study: 

Failure of excavator counterweight securing bolts 

Mini excavator 

counterweights 

are an integral and 

important aspect 

of the machine’s 

design, not least 

because they help to 

stabilise the machine 

during operation 

and can also act 

as protection to the 

machine’s bodywork 

when slewing. 

Counterweights 

are typically bulky 

and extremely 

heavy – they need 

to be – but have 

you fully considered 

the safety of these 

components? 

24 

February 2011 

Figure 1. Counterweight landed 

on dozer blade frame and track 

Safety case study: 

During a recent operative training 

session, a mini excavator was being 

moved to the parking/close down 

position when an extraordinary event 

occurred - the counterweight fell 

from its mountings, onto the dozer 

blade frame and track pads. Luckily 

this occurred whilst the operator 

was still in the cab and all other site 

personnel were well clear of the mini 

excavator as it parked up. The user 

handbook indicated the weight of 

the counterweight as 580kg. Had the 

incident occurred whilst the excavator 

was under load its lateral or longitudinal 

stability would have been compromised. 

RIDDOR 

Although the incident did not cause 

any injury it had the potential to 

and it was recommended that a 

responsible person from the employer 

should consider reporting the 

incident under RIDDOR Schedule 2, 

outlining procedures for ‘dangerous 

occurrences’. Regulation 2(1) .of 

RIDDOR mentions failure of load 

bearing parts of an excavator. 

Maintenance requirements 

The manufacturer’s operator’s handbook 

makes no mention of the security 

of the counterweight throughout the 

full range of maintenance checks, 

from daily checks through to the 

2000 hours run. This would seem 

to imply that the counterweight is 

considered an integral part of the mini 

excavator and not an attachment. 

Maintenance and inspection 

The maintenance and inspection 

plate in the excavator did not display 

the most recent inspection. Prior to 

commencement of the training session 

it was verified that the inspection had 

been carried out by the employer’s 

sub contracted repair agency but 

not recorded on the yellow plate 

within the cab (see figure 2). 

Note that the operator’s manual did not 

list the counterweight as ‘an operator 

pre start check’. Ideally, bolt security 

settings should be checked at a 

frequency set by the manufacturer. A 

weekly, or 50 hours check, by a suitably 

competent tradesman would suffice.

Figure 2. Maintenance and inspection plate 

Bolt failure 

Two coarse threaded bolts secure 

the counterweight to the main frame 

of the excavator; they are inserted 

through the counterweight (see 

Figure 3), and tightened. Varying 

torque settings for coarse threaded 

bolts of differing functions/sizes 

are indicated in the operator’s 

handbook, but nothing specific to 

the counterweight is mentioned. 

Figure 3. Recovered securing bolt showing entry 

point into counterweight 

Figure 4. Sheared counterweight securing bolt 

Of the two securing bolts only one was 

recovered. Close inspection of this bolt 

fracture revealed that a part failure of 

the cross sectional area of the bolt had 

probably occurred sometime prior to 

the incident. As the second bolt was 

not recovered, it is feasible that the 

counterweight had been held only by one 

bolt, for an indeterminate period of time. 

Learning points 

Although an operator would assume 

that the counterweight is always firmly 

in place there are clearly occasions 

when due to vibration or metal fatigue 

a lack of locking mechanism occurs. 

The two bolts in question may not have 

been tightened to the manufacturer’s 

recommended torque setting, and had 

slowly loosened and started to shear. 

At the time of the incident the mini 

excavator was indicating 1,424 hours 

run, a comparatively low figure. 

Figure 5. Hour-meter reading (01424) 

The apparent omission of any 

counterweight security checks by 

maintenance teams is somewhat 

disconcerting and in this instance the 

employer was encouraged to pursue 

this point with the nominated repair 

agency and the manufacturer. 


Summary 

recommendations 

With regards to the incident 

outlined here the following 

recommendations were made: 

That the employer 

considered reporting the 

incident as a ‘dangerous 

occurrence’ in accordance 

with RIDDOR procedures. 

That the employer reported 

the incident as a ‘defect’ with 

the counterweight securing 

bolts to the manufacturer. 

That the employer undertook 

a full check on all similar mini 

excavator counterweights 

within their equipment 

fleet, throughout the UK, 

as a safety precaution to 

prevent re-occurrence. 

That the employer discussed 

with the manufacturer the 

feasibility of amending the 

operator’s manual to include, 

‘check/s on counterweight 

bolt security’ as a specified 

task at a set servicing period, 

by maintenance staff. 

Footnote 

The recommendations were 

followed up by the employer and the 

component was inspected by the 

manufacturer. It was discovered that 

the counterweight was an ‘add on’ 

after the zero tail swing mini excavator 

had had an extended dipper arm fitted. 

Consultation within industry has 

highlighted many concerns over the 

unsuitability of ‘metric threading’. 

Metric bolt taps and dies are cheaper 

to manufacture due to the lack of 

‘root radius’ and as a consequence 

have much higher stress points than 

the old BSW, BSF, UNC and UNF 

equivalents. 

With high numbers of metric bolt 

thread failures on engineering plant 

items many repair agencies are 

reverting to UNC/UNF in stress 

locations, wherever possible. 

February 2011 

25


analYSiS: Three Decades of 

UK Off-highway New Plant Sales 

introduction 

26 

Article by Gary D. Holt 

BSc(Hons), PhD, FCIOB 

Professor of Innovation in 

Machinery Management, 

Birmingham City University 

Purchaser type 

The UK off-highway (new sales) plant 

supply chain feeds into three main 

‘groups’ of purchaser. The first of these 

is the industry-sectorial group, which 

comprises predominantly construction 

contractor companies along with other 

sectors such as quarrying and mining, 

and agriculture. 

However, over the last 50 years or so, 

construction contractors have made 

an intentional shift away from plant 

fleet ownership, due to its associated 

high incidental costs that rely on 

uninterrupted utilisation to make that 

ownership worthwhile (profitable). 

Given construction’s fluctuating demand 

(and the associated difficulties of 

forecasting future workload), along with 

the fact that plant ownership also has 

a negative effect on asset to turnover 

ratio, it is no surprise that contractors 

now rely significantly on the private 

sector hire and lease function to 

satisfy their plant supply requirements. 

February 2011 

The telehandler has risen in 

popularity with an upward trend of 

increased sales over the period 

Resultantly, the off-highway plant (and 

other types of equipment/machinery 

for that matter) hire and lease sector 

has grown exceptionally over the 

same 50 year period; at a conversely 

proportionate rate to the decline of 

contractors’ own plant holdings. It 

now therefore represents the second 

prominent grouping of new plant sales 

purchaser. 

The third classification embraces smallto-medium 

sized enterprises (SMEs) 

and subcontractor organisations, 

that offer specialised work packages 

The mini excavator is the most 

popular new plant item for 

purchase over the last decade 



(e.g. civil engineering or groundwork), 

predominately to main contractors. 

In this third grouping might also be 

included owner operators, that provide 

‘plant and operator’ solutions on short 

term ad-hoc hire arrangements. 

The above description does not 

necessarily include all types of new 

off-highway plant customers, but 

conveniently classifies the prominent 

ones for the purpose of this article. 

The nature of demand 

Of course, the nature of the demand 

side for new plant and its requirement 

for capital investment, means that 

volume of sales relies heavily on 

macroeconomic conditions. When 

conditions are poor and work volumes 

decline as a result, sales fall (and 

broadly speaking the opposite situation 

applies). Other determinants of demand 

are numerous and complex but include 

things like buyer (investor) confidence, 

the availability of funds and the 

availability (and cost) of credit. 

Some determinants of demand can 

have an effect on the types of plant 

sold. For example, the tightening of 

health and safety legislation relating to 

materials logistics might have had an 

effect on sales of materials handling 

equipment (such as telehandlers), while 

greater control by the health and safety

authorities on matters such as using 

excavators as cranes, might lead to a 

decrease in demand for excavators (that 

were formerly used for this purpose) 

and/or increased demand for dedicated 

mobile lifting equipment. Certainly 

microeconomic factors can play a part 

too. For instance, the versatility of miniexcavators 

combined with the fact that 

they are easy to transport and relatively 

inexpensive to purchase and operate, 

have all underpinned their huge sales 

growth over recent years (see later). 

Given this potential for changes in 

demand and accordingly sales of 

new equipment over time, this article 

provides a succinct view of (new visá-vis 

used) off-highway plant sales 

over the last three decades. Included 

in that description of plant items we 

will consider sales of: articulated dump 

trucks, rigid dump trucks, crawler 

excavators, backhoe loaders, miniexcavators, 

wheeled loaders, wheeled 

excavators, skid steer loaders, compact 

tracked loaders and telescopic handlers. 

overview of total sales 

The graph in Figure 1* shows that 

over the last 30 years, plant sales 

have achieved steady growth (as 

characterised by the linear trend 

line). Encouraged not least by the 

fundamental economic desires to 

maximise industrial productivity 

and sustain output, total sales 

have increased considerably; from 

approximately 5000 units in 1981 

to approximately 17,750 units circa 

1994, and then to a pre-recession 

peak of circa 36,000 units in 2007. 

However, with reference to the issue 

of macroeconomics alluded to above, 

it can also be seen that the onset of 

each of the recessionary periods (circa 

1988, 1994 and more recently in 2007), 

has a significant detrimental effect 

on combined plant sales. For those 

whose employment is related to the 

plant sector, the drastic decline in sales 

shown post-2007 and its connection to 

overall industrial demand require little 

further explanation. 

*Note that on all graphs in this article the units on 

Mobile fuel bowser 

vertical y-axes represent real numbers; and 2010 

figures are estimated because actual 

terminal 

data 

& 

were 

refueller 

unavailable at the time of writing. 

Figure 1. Total off-highway new plant sales 1980—2010 

ten-year snapshots of 

sales volumes 

Figure 2 provides a ‘snapshot’ of sales 

portfolio at four intervals over the 

30 year period viz: 1980, 1990, 2000 

and 2009 (the latter because 2010 

data are estimates). This exercise 

first confirms two convenient classes 

of plant sales. ‘Lower volume’ sales 

units comprise articulated dump trucks, 

rigid dump trucks, wheeled loaders, 

wheeled excavators, skid steer loaders 

and compact tracked loaders. ‘Higher 

volume’ units, whose individual sales 

far exceed the former classification, 

comprise crawler excavators, backhoe 

loaders, mini excavators and telescopic 

handlers. 

Of the lower volume sales, articulated 

dump trucks, wheeled loaders and 

skid steer loaders have all remained 

‘relatively’ constant. Sales of rigid 

dump trucks have declined since 1980, 


while in contrast, sales of wheeled 

excavators have grown on each of 

the four snapshot years observed. 

Of the higher volume sales, crawler 

excavators and telescopic handlers 

have mirrored the overall upward 

trend of increased sales over the 

period, with significant drop in demand 

(between 2000 and 2009) following 

the 2007 recession. The particular 

increased popularity of the telehandler, 

highlighted by comparable sales 

numbers in 1980, 1990 and 2000, is 

noteworthy. 

The ‘doyen’ of plant sales – the 

backhoe loader – seems to have lost 

some of its popularity with a drop of 

circa 30% in sales between 1990 and 

2000. According to how one interprets 

these data, this might in part be at the 

expense of the mini-excavator, the 

growth of which has been phenomenal: 

from only 130 units in 1980, to 2,200 in 

1990, reaching a peak of 6,250 in 2000. 

Figure 2. Market share at decade intervals during the period 


February 2011 

27


Further analysis of 

‘lower volume’ items 

Figure 3 provides more detail relating 

to some of the general observations of 

the last section with specific reference 

to the six types of lower volume items 

(the lower volume class all have annual 

sales numbers of less than 1,500 units 

a year). Note that compact tracked 

loaders are not included in Figure 3 

because their numbers are too small to 

show meaningfully on the graph (sales 

didn’t begin until 2004 when 10 were 

sold, growing to 40 units in 2009). Rigid 

dump truck sales steadily declined 

throughout the period observed and 

after the compact tracked loader, this 

item is the next lowest volume seller of 

all those plant items observed here. 

The wheeled loader was the best 

selling lower volume item in 1980 

and finished in this same position 

30 years later. The skid steer loader 

exhibited the greatest increase in 

sales growth (between 1981 and 1989) 

finishing second most popular (lower 

volume item) behind the wheeled 

loader in 2010. Such popularity 

somewhat mirrors that of its equally 

small relative the mini excavator. 

Maybe skid steer loader popularity 

has been helped by the many 

innovative improvements they have 

enjoyed over their developmental life, 

including safer operator side entry of 

late and a growing range of available 

attachments, in addition to the loading 

bucket alone. 

28 

February 2011 

Further analysis of 

‘higher volume’ items 

More detailed analysis of higher 

volume items is shown in Figure 

4. Of note here is that the annual 

sales volumes are much greater – 

typically being in the 2000 to 8000 

units a year banding since 1988 

– although that rising star of plant 

sales the mini excavator far exceeds 

this by outselling the most popular 

lower volume plant item (the skid 

steer loader) by an approximate 

factor of 10. The next two best 

selling items, the crawler excavator 

and the telescopic handler, have 

witnessed steadily increased sales 

since 1991 right up to the onset of 

recession in 2007; from 1,300 units 

in 1991 to 8,350 units in 2007 in 

Figure 4. Sales of ‘higher volume’ plant types during the period 

Figure 3. Sales of ‘lower volume’ plant types during the period 

the case of the crawler excavator and 

from 1,100 units to 8,540 units over the 

same period for the telescopic handler. 

The ‘demise’ of the backhoe is sadly 

evident, from a peak of 6,620 units in 

1988 down to 1,600 sales in 2009. 

Conclusion 

While the underlying trend in new plant 

sales within the UK over the last 30 

years is upward, there is much variance 

between sales numbers of different 

products. Since about 1993, plant types 

can be defined in terms of ‘lower volume’ 

sellers (less than 1,500 units a year), 

or ‘higher volume’ sellers (between 

1,500 and 14,000 units per annum). 

The two plant items that have declined 

in sales popularity over the last 30 

years are the rigid dump truck and 

the backhoe, although sales of the 

articulated dump truck have also 

fallen to below 1980 volume. 

The rise in popularity of the mini 

excavator is quite evident from its 

sales figures and accordingly, this has 

become the most popular new plant 

item for purchase over the last decade. 

While many factors can affect new plant 

sales, arguably the most important 

is macroeconomic conditions. Given 

present difficulties that are facing industry 

generally, combined with lack of investor 

confidence, problems of credit accessibility 

and an air of economic austerity, 

then the future might be uncertain 

regarding an early ‘boost’ in sales.

The rigid dump truck, backhoe 

and articulated dump truck have 

declined in popularity over the 

last 30 years 

acknowledgement 

A thank you is extended to 

Richard Sharp of Sharp Practice 

(www.sharppractice.eu) for kindly 

providing those data upon which this 

article is based. 

Gary Holt can be contacted at: 

Gary.Holt@bcu.ac.uk 

Web: http://www.bcu.ac.uk/bcbs/ 

research/centre-of-businessinnovation-enterprise/strategyinnovation-and-change/gary-holt 

February 2011 

NEWS 

neW research initiative into uK 

plant and machinery supply chains 

Supply of new off-highway plant 

and machinery to the UK’s industrial 

business infrastructure is key to 

maintaining optimum productivity 

and sustained levels of output. But, 

since onset of recession in 2007, 

prevalent negative macroeconomic 

conditions have meant this supply 

has fallen sharply – and stakeholders 

are witnessing tough operating 

conditions. 

Professors David Edwards and Gary 

Holt of the Centre for Business, 

Innovation and Enterprise at 

Birmingham City University, recently 

began researching this problem from 

two standpoints. First, to achieve 

better understanding of the supply 

chain’s business challenges and 

second, to analyse the effects of 

these challenges on the drastic 

downturn in sales. 

Professor Edwards commented, 

“Many of the UK’s plant and 

machinery supply chain stakeholders 

are finding the economic situation 

extremely difficult, in some cases, 

pricing their products and services 

at or below cost to secure business. 

They are trying to ‘buy survival time’ 

and long for a more profitable 

business environment to return. 

The focus of many in the sector 

right now, really is, survival”. 

Regarding sales of new 

plant and machinery, 

Professor Holt said, “Sales 

of new items have fallen 

significantly. Our most recent analyses 

show for example, that long held 

‘doyen’ of plant the backhoe loader – 

known to many more affectionately as 

the ‘JCB’ – has witnessed a decrease 

in sales from approximately 5,000 units 

in 1994 to 1,600 units in 2009. Looking 

at the overall picture, total sales of 

the ten most popular plant items in 

2009 are down to 1998 volume. This is 

certainly not good for UK plc and may 

lead to problems of production and 

efficiency, particularly when confidence 

and industrial output returns”. 

In pursuit of their research, the 

professors are presently undertaking 

extensive field studies with several 

major UK machinery suppliers and 

customers. Their initial findings have 

been submitted to a leading academic 

journal and industry-facing periodical 

for publication. For more information 

on this project, please email 

gary.holt@bcu.ac.uk. 

29


30 

eXPeRt oPinion: 

Why you should seriously consider certification 

to a recognised quality standard 

Leigh Harper is Quality 

Manager at BI Composites Ltd. 

and Consultant for 

Harper-Myatt Quality Systems 

Leigh started his career in 

the industry in 1973 when 

he trained for 5 years in 

metallurgy and foundry 

practice at Wednesbury 

Technical College, before 

serving as a technical 

apprentice for 5 years at 

Beans Industries - part of the 

British Leyland group. He 

worked in both the engineering 

and foundry laboratories 

before moving into Quality 

as a Senior Quality Engineer, 

later as Principle Engineer. 

In 1990 Leigh became Quality 

Manager for Bruhl (UK) 

(supplying cylinder heads 

and blocks to Ford, Rover, 

Landrover, GM, Perkins 

Engines, etc), whilst also 

providing consultancy to 

VAW aluminium foundry in 

Leeds, a sister company. 

In 2000 Leigh became a self 

employed Quality Consultant 

implementing ISO 9001 and 

TS16949 in engineering, 

foundry and service industries 

(including at BI Composites). 

He became Business 

Development Manager for 

BI Composites in 2008 and 

Quality Manager in 2009. 

February 2011 

We are all acutely aware that today’s 

global market place is more competitive 

than ever and so having a recognised 

quality standard, such as ISO 9001 or 

TS 16949, could mean the difference 

between winning contracts and losing 

out to the competition. 

Many businesses in emerging 

manufacturing nations such as India 

and China have already recognised 

the benefits of ISO 9001 or TS 16949 

certification and have vigorously 

promoted them. In such countries 

record numbers of businesses 

have enhanced their profiles and 

competitiveness as a result. 

Although certification to ISO 9001 

is now often essential to become a 

supplier to the automotive industry, and 

this is becoming more common in the 

off-road sector as well, in the UK we are 

lagging behind many other nations in 

terms of certification, a situation that we 

ignore at our peril. 

Unfortunately the benefits of 

certification have been tarnished over 

the years and there is often a healthy 


scepticism amongst many of our 

business leaders, especially in these 

times of austerity. The image of more 

red tape and the associated drain 

on resources for little or no benefit 

still prevails (and is sometimes still 

promoted by those seeking to justify 

their fees by overcomplicating matters!) 

Early quality standards such as 

BS5750 did much to promote this 

image because they demanded a 

lot of resource to implement and 

maintain but offered little or no cost 

benefits or improvement to product 

quality. Even today’s ISO 9001: 2008 

or TS 16949:2009 can be made to 

appear costly and overbearing when 

interpreted without regard for the real 

needs of the business, or if not applied 

to their best effect. 

A misguided idea is that the 

implementation of quality systems 

requires the commitment of many 

weeks or even months of resource, lots 

of training, assistance from consultants, 

and thereafter hours of maintenance. 

This can be very expensive, particularly 

for small businesses, and although it

needn’t be this is all too often the case. 

I must confess that as a hard pressed 

Quality & Technical Manager working 

for a large first tier automotive 

supplier I initially had little regard 

for quality standards but had no 

choice but to implement them. 

To illustrate some of the reasons for 

my scepticism, prior to upgrading from 

ISO 9000 to QS 9000 I was reluctantly 

encouraged to use the services of a 

consultant. Having visited us every 

Tuesday for 6 weeks at a cost of £500 

per day he produced a gap analysis of 

some 100 plus pages (the difference 

between where we were and where 

we needed to be for QS certification) 

One of the recommendations was 

that, with a plant of our size, I needed 

19 fully trained internal auditors in 

order to qualify. At the time I had 3 

qualified auditors including myself! 

I never got around to reading his report, 

I didn’t train any more auditors and 

set about concentrating on upgrading 

the system with a couple of weeks to 

spare before the audit. The result was 

Article by Mr Leigh Harper, Quality Manager, 

BI Composites Ltd. and Consultant, Harper-Myatt Quality Systems 

that we qualified at the first attempt 

and the only extra cost had been 

the consultant’s fees - whose report 

I never did get around to reading! 

Ironically, having been sceptical 

about consultants, I spent 7 years 

in quality consultancy - but in 

my defence I believe that I did 

things very differently as a result 

of my ‘real world’ experiences. 

At a more practical level, when 

I joined BI Composites I found 

that they were paying for external 

calibration for everything that moved. 

At a stroke we saved thousands of 

pounds simply by not calibrating 

instruments which were used only as 

indicators (such as machine pressure 

gauges), by significantly reducing the 

calibration frequencies where wear 

was minimal or usage low and, 

where we could provide traceability, 

doing our own calibration. BI 

Composites is certified to TS 16949 

by BSI at both of its sites and no 

issues have ever been raised as 

a result of these economies. 

In this country we seem to 

have an element with an 

unhealthy desire to promote 

and focus upon red tape. 

I worked for a truly world 

class German company who 

had a healthy attitude to 

their quality standards. They 

concentrated on practicalities 

and good working practices 

but, whilst still working within 

the spirit of the standards, 

they sometimes paid lip 

service to the less beneficial/ 

red tape elements, an attitude 

I have always adopted (as 

I have found the better 

external auditors do). 



The new standards, when correctly and 

pragmatically applied, are much more 

aligned to performance and efficiency 

and promote good business practices 

that not only improve quality but also 

reduce costs. In real terms, if your 

business is not operating to at least the 

basic requirements of these standards 

you are not operating efficiently and 

are losing money, customers or 

both as a result. In short, if shrewdly 

applied these systems encourage 

good common sense practice with 

a net cost benefit as a result. 

I passionately believe in the survival of 

our manufacturing base but for it to do 

so we must adopt business practices 

promoted by standards such as 

ISO 9001 and TS 16949. Partly because 

of this I have developed comprehensive 

systems called QIS for different 

business groups. Despite being low 

cost they are innovative and completely 

unique. In addition to comprehensive, 

easily customised documentation, 

each system contains effective but 

easily used quality tools and training 

aids that make understanding 

the standards clear. The result is 

dramatically reduced implementation 

and on-going maintenance times 

but little or no need for additional 

resources, training or consultancy. 

QIS systems provide methods that 

offer the potential to significantly 

improve your operations in terms of 

efficiency and product quality and could 

ultimately help secure your position 

in both local and global markets. 

For more information about 

quality standards visit: 

www.iso9000help.co.uk 

(Note 9000 not 9001) 

or contact Leigh at: 

contact@iso9000help.co.uk 

February 2011 

31


A day in the life of a 

I have been assessing and 

training plant operators all 

my working life and know 

that each day will bring its 

own challenges, with joy 

and heartache in equal 

measure, both to myself and 

possibly to the candidate. 

The particular day described 

here highlights a few of the 

difficulties encountered and 

the variety of problems that 

often have to be resolved. 

BACKGROUND 

In one of the busiest parts 

of Central London a major 

contractor was about to 

start ‘diaphragm walling’ 

which entailed excavating 

a trench 45 metres deep, 

temporarily supported 

by bentonite slurry. On 

reaching foundation level 

steel reinforcement was 

to be lowered into the 

trench, followed by the 

placement of concrete to 

32 

February 2011 

displace the bentonite. This 

is a preferred method where 

considerations for noise and 

vibration preclude sheet piles 

being driven and where the 

occurrence of groundwater 

or close proximity of other 

buildings might pose 

unfavourable hazards. 

I had been asked to assess 

the German plant operator 

working with the 90 tonnes 

tracked Bauer crane on 

which the diaphragm 

wall excavating ancillary 

equipment had been 

mounted. David Clement, 

Managing Director of 

Wyevern Plant Training, 

based in Chepstow in 

Monmouthshire, who 

allocated the task, 

suggested I might like the 

challenge as it would give 

me an opportunity to utilise 

knowledge gained with 

assessing plant operators 

within the piling industry. 

PLANT OPERATOR 

ExAMINER - Central London 

PREPARATIONS 

Knowing the equipment 

did not match any existing 

UK card scheme category 

I started to make my 

own preparations. 

Logistics of travelling 

from Wakefield to 

Central London 

With a 10am start there was 

a need to plan well in order 

that I negotiate the 370 mile 

round trip without a hitch. I 

decided to drive south on the 

M1 to Luton and then park 

the car before utilising the 

Luton to London rail journey. 

Once in central London I 

crossed to Tottenham Court 

Road which was immediately 

outside the site. The latter 

journey was relatively 

uneventful apart from the 

occasional strange look at 

a bearded assessor with 

a rucksack on his back! 

Anticipated 

language problems, 

German/English 

Not knowing if the German 

operator spoke any English 

and aware of the limitations 

of my conversational 

German abilities, I decided 

to get some existing English 

formats on crawler crane 

testing translated into 

German, which included 

a batch of questions and 

answers. I used “Google 

translate” to complete the 

translation attempt but 

it proved an unmitigated 

disaster as this facility was 

unable to cope with technical 

German. Thankfully the 

Article by Mr Mick Norton, BEM 

onsite German team spoke 

fluent English and suggested 

I should discard the Google 

translated documentation 

and instead opt for a good 

old fashioned interpreter! 

I agreed and all went 

well notwithstanding a 

singular attempt by me to 

demonstrate my prowess 

in German! The German 

plant operator and I were 

circumnavigating the 

Liebherr crawler highlighting 

the pre start checks and 

all was going well until 

we reached the, ‘mirrors’. 

The German operator 

looked at me quizzically 

and pointed to the mirror 

asking, “What is that in 

English?” I responded, 

“Mirror,” and then attempted 

the translation myself, from 

English to German. Pointing 

to the same mirror I said, “In 

German this is a ‘spiegelei’” 

upon which the operator and 

the interpreter went into fits 

of laughter. Having spent 

many years in Germany 

as a Royal Engineer I 

immediately realised my 

schoolboy error. “Spiegel” 

is correct for mirror, but 

“spiegelei” is a fried egg! My 

schoolboy howler eased the 

path through the assessment 

and it soon became clear 

the German plant operator 

was extremely competent 

on his Euro 1 million, piece 

of construction equipment. 

UKCG paperwork! 

Once the initial pre start 

checks were completed 

satisfactorily I now needed 

The to stolen see mini the excavator German aboard the truck 

demonstrate his practical

skills on the diaphragm walling 

excavation. With safety a key 

factor on this Central London 

site the major contractors 

and client had a plethora of 

paperwork to complete with 

risk assessments, method 

statements, lift plans, digging 

activity lists, safe systems 

of work and varying permits 

just a forerunner to an 

extensive briefing to all site 

personnel involved with the 

excavation work. It was not 

until 5pm that we were able 

to commence any practical 

works only after a ‘plate 

test’ ensuring the suitability 

of the ground conditions 

holding the crawler crane. 

The return journey 

to Wakefield 

I was not able to leave the 

Central London site until 

the assessment had been 

completed at approximately 

6pm, and then, after 

signing out of the site, 

I had to make my long 

return journey to West 

Yorkshire, arriving home 

in Wakefield at 10pm. 

suMMARy 

A very long day which 

once again highlights 

the difficulties of 

logistical planning 

when travelling to/ 

from Central London 

and the complexities 

of dealing with foreign 

plant operators. Despite 

the very long day 

the major contractor 

catered for my every 

need and I was very 

impressed by the level 

of safety shown at 

this high profile site. 

heWDen gives 

Fire Fighters 

Charity a lift 

A charitable Hertfordshire fire fighter’s attempt 

to recreate a stunt made famous by illusionist 

David Blaine was given a lift by the UK’s 

specialist hire equipment firm, Hewden. 

The company loaned a 50 tonne crane to suspend 

David Hunt in a Perspex box 30ft above the ground 

for 48 hours in central London to raise money for The 

Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research UK. 

Hewden provided a highly skilled operator to safely 

manoeuvre the crane into position on London’s busy 

Old Cavendish Street. Meticulous planning was 

required to ensure the box could be lifted to the desired 

height with David inside, with Hewden’s operational 

team carrying out a full risk assessment beforehand. 

The lift was completed within the designated 

four-hour time period, meaning the event could 

begin safely and on time. The crane remained 

in location for the duration of the event. 

Fire fighter David Hunt commented, “As this was a 

charity event, we relied heavily on the generosity of 

organisations like Hewden. We are very grateful to 

the guys at the Dartford depot who were able to not 

only provide the crane and operator, but also hi-vis 

vests for our fundraisers to wear at the event.” 

David was contained in the box while wearing his 

full fire kit, with access to only a sleeping bag, 

chemical toilet and water. He successfully completed 

the event, raising over £7000 in the process. 

February 2011 

NEWS 

33

NEWS 

RATP bus depot at Thiais, France 

For more than a decade Ductal ® has 

achieved international accolades 

through its use in innovative, high 

profile projects such as the Footbridge 

of Peace in Seoul, South Korea, and 

the new extension to the Musee d’art 

Moderne in Lille, France. 

This amazingly versatile material 

combines an ultra-high performance 

cementitious matrix with high tensile 

steel or organic reinforcing fibres. The 

result is a concrete which behaves more 

like an elasto-plastic material. 

Its strength, durability and malleability 

make it ideal for both major construction 

and civil engineering schemes and 

provides architects and designers with 

extraordinary opportunities to expand 

their creativity. 

It also offers considerable environmental 

benefits, enabling structures to be built 

faster and lighter, using fewer materials. 

In certain applications the reduction in 

material quantity can result in a drop in 

embodied energy and global warming 

impact by a staggering 40 per cent. 

Armourcoat is renowned for making 

applied decorative plasters and 

impressive, sculpted interior panels 

34 

February 2011 

lafarge announces uK 

debut for Ductal ® products 

Building materials giant Lafarge will 

use this year’s Ecobuild to announce 

a groundbreaking partnership 

bringing the manufacture of Ductal ® 

products to the UK for the very first 

time. 

Labelled ‘the future of concrete’ 

Ductal ® products have never 

been made before in this country. 

Now licensed for manufacture by 

Armourcoat Surface Finishes, a 

specialist wall panel maker, Ductal ® 

will feature as part of Lafarge’s 

uniquely designed structure on 

stand N1040 at Ecobuild. 

for blue-chip clients across 

the commercial, retail and 

domestic sectors. The Kentbased 

company plans to use 

Ductal ® for elegant exterior 

facades. 

Duncan said: “Ductal ® 

can really change the 

way concrete is used. Its 

properties and qualities 

make it ideal for producing 

sophisticated building 

facades with a level of finish 

and surface decoration which 

is outstanding.” 

“It is also very relevant to 

the sustainable construction 

agenda and has superb 

environmental credentials. 

You can have lighter 

structures using fewer 

materials while retaining 

insulation cores simply 

because you can make 

such thin panels. These are 

a fraction of the weight of 

regular concrete panels yet 

stronger, more durable and 

highly resistant to extreme 

conditions. Ductal ® really is 

an amazing product.” 

The structure, featuring products from 

all Lafarge UK businesses - Aggregates 

& Concrete, Cement and Plasterboard - 

literally brings materials to life, showing 

how the company keeps nature at the 

heart of its operations. 

Armourcoat Director, Duncan McKellar 

said it was thrilling to be involved with 

the structure and with Ductal ® . He 

added: “We are so excited about using 

Ductal ® , this product takes concrete to 

a whole new level and offers you the 

scope to do things which you could 

never do with regular concrete. It really 

is cutting edge technology.” 

Footbridge of Peace, 

Seoul, South Korea 

“everyone’s talking about it!”

Hewden places massive £14 million order 

In one of the biggest single deals ever 

landed by JCB, specialist plant hire 

company Hewden has signed a £14 million 

order for hundreds of new JCB machines, 

ranging from Loadall telescopic handlers 

to mini excavators, tracked and wheeled 

excavators and the new 3CX Eco backhoe 

loaders. 

Tim Burnhope, JCB Group Managing 

Director for Product Development and 

Commercial Operations, said: “To sign a 

deal of this magnitude with a company of 

such standing as Hewden is a fantastic 

way to start 2011. It speaks volumes for the 

Travis Perkins order more than 500 machines 

Travis Perkins has placed an order for 505 

JCB compact excavators, consisting of 371 

JCB 8014 mini excavators and 134 JCB 

micro excavators. The deal represents a 

repeat order for JCB mini excavators from 

Travis Perkins which already offers JCB 

machines to its tool and equipment hire 

customers. 

UK and Ireland Sales Director Yvette 

Henshall-Bell said: “We are delighted to win 

this repeat business from one of the UK’s 

most respected building and construction 

£14 million digger deal with H.E. Services 

During a visit by The Chancellor of the 

Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. George Osborne 

MP to JCB Transmissions, Wrexham it 

was announced that leading plant hire 

company H.E. Services Group has signed 

an order worth almost £14 million for a 

fleet of 350 machines, encompassing 

a wide range of JCB products including 

mini excavators, Loadall telescopic 

handlers, 3CX backhoe loaders, skid 

steer loaders and tracked excavators. 

JCB Chief Executive Alan Blake said: 

“We are delighted that a company of 

strength of the JCB brand and the quality 

of our machines that a major player has 

chosen JCB products when investing so 

heavily in a new fleet of machines.” 

Jeff Schofield, Sales and Marketing 

Director at Hewden, said: “This investment 

is a major development of our fleet. We 

have selected the best product in each 

category, based on the clear preferences 

of our customers. JCB’s products have an 

enviable reputation in the marketplace and 

we look forward to working with them to 

deliver new levels of safety, reliability and 

performance to customers.” 

H. E. Services’ reputation has chosen 

JCB products when updating its fleet. H.E. 

Services are long-standing JCB customers 

so it’s testament to both the quality of JCB’s 

machines and our service back-up that we 

have retained this important business.” 

H.E. Services Group Chairman Hugh 

Edeleanu said: “Our company’s mission 

is to provide the best quality service and 

most extensive range of machines and 

attachments for our customers and this 

big investment in new JCB machines 

is critical to delivering that promise. 


L- R JCB CEO Alan Blake, Chancellor George Osborne 

and HE Services Chairman Hugh Edeleanu 

“We pride ourselves on having Britain’s most 

up-to-date fleet of machines and we are 

committed to replacing that fleet every two 

or three years to ensure our customers 

get the most efficient, powerful and highperforming 

products on the market.” 

February 2011 

NEWS 

companies, particularly as it was secured 

in the face of fierce competition from 

other major suppliers in our industry.” 

Richard Dey, Travis Perkins Group Hire 

Director, said: “JCB mini excavators are 

extremely popular with our hire customers 

and they have an excellent reputation in 

the marketplace and that, coupled with 

the excellent customer relationship and 

comprehensive service back-up provided 

by Watling JCB, coupled with JCB’s 

comprehensive dealer network, gave 

us no hesitation in placing this order.” 

35

NEWS 

groeneveld releases 

twin 3 

- the latest generation 

heavy duty automatic 

greasing system 

With the introduction of a 

new in-cab display, clearly 

displaying the systems’ 

operational performance, 

Groeneveld has completed 

the redesign of its unique Twin 

heavy duty (HD) greasing 

system. The new system 

will be known as Twin 3. 

unique 

advantages of twin 

The dual line Twin system offers 

significant technical advantages 

compared to progressive greasing 

systems and Groeneveld has created a 

leading position, both in terms of retro- 

and ex factory fits, with many major 

construction equipment manufacturers. 

Because of the unique Groeneveld 

Twin features, the product is finding 

further applications in other market 

segments such as refuse collectors and 

heavy duty trailers, to name but two. 

36 

February 2011 

Compared to the traditional 

progressive greasing systems, Twin 

offers some unique advantages. At 

a relatively low working pressure 

the system does not suffer the 

traditional breaking down of the 

grease structure associated with 

progressive systems, therewith 

eliminating the possibility of oil and 

soap separation and, consequently, 

avoiding system blockages. 

Grease delivery is accurately 

controlled with the use of dedicated 

metering units feeding individual 

grease points. Optimal lubrication 

The Groeneveld Twin pump: 

1. An electric grease pump (plunger pump) 

with integrated grease reservoir and 

a digital control unit with data storage 

facility 

2. Primary grease lines A 

3. Primary grease lines B 

4. Distribution blocks 

5. Metering units 

6. Pressure switch 

7. Secondary grease lines 

is achieved by using dual main lines, 

operating under a parallel principle. The 

patented volumetric system also allows 

accurate dosage per lubrication point. 

Unlike progressive systems, the Groeneveld 

Twin system operates even at extremely low 

temperatures over longer distances. 

Therefore the Twin heavy duty greasing 

system is well suited for large hydraulic 

excavators and wheel loaders with 

long booms and sticks. As Twin has 

the ability to lubricate over longer 

greasing lines, it makes the system also 

suitable for greasing rear loader refuse 

trucks and heavy transport trailers. 

System performance can 

be monitored with the 

Twin 3 new in-cab display

The Twin 3 system is well suited for heavy transport 

trailers working under extreme conditions. 

Continued 

operation and 

higher residual value 

Besides a number of recent technical 

product improvements, a great Twin 3 

feature is the in-cab display. With the 

numeric display the system performance 

can be monitored and error messages 

can be analysed in an even more 

professional way. Except for the fact 

the Groeneveld heavy duty greasing 

systems can be retrofitted, the Twin 3 

system has been fully documented on a 

large number of construction equipment 

manufacturers, including Bell, Caterpillar, 

Doosan, Hitachi, Hyundai, JCB, 

Komatsu, Liebherr, Volvo and others. In 

case of retrofits Groeneveld guarantees 

correct fitting procedures by using these 

installation manuals in accordance with 

the OEM’s instructions. 

By installing Twin from the beginning, the 

machine benefits from optimal grease 

delivery, ensuring pins and bushings 

remain in great condition, thereby 

prolonging the service life. This leads 

to lower repair- and maintenance costs 

whilst ensuring a continued operation 

and a higher machine residual value. 

Construct-a-gram 

Construct-a-gram 

U 

C 

No 11 

U T 

K U 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Clue: Plant item 

R 

COMPETITION 

PRiZe CoMPetition 

D M 

Can you solve this anagram? 

Then email your answer to 

pep@operc.com, quoting 

“Construct-A-Gram No 11”, and 

you could win a copy of Dr Plant’s 

Construct-A-Grams (RRP £5.99). 

The book contains another 50 of these 

brain-teasing anagrams, each with a 

humorous illustration by Geoff Tristram. 

Closing date for entries is April 30 th 

2011 and four winners will be drawn at 

random from correct entries received. 

February 2011 

P 

37

PEOPLE 

Birmingham City university Professor 

in prestigious industry initiative 

Professor David Edwards, Birmingham 

City University, has been appointed 

as an academic representative 

on a prestigious HSE noise and 

vibration panel which aims to raise 

awareness and reduce the risks of 

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) 

and Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome 

(HAVS) in the workplace. 

The Noise and Hand-Arm Vibration 

Programme, led by the Health and 

Safety Executive’s Noise & Vibration 

Policy Unit, is a new initiative designed 

to develop greater stakeholder 

engagement with key partners across 

industry sectors Energy, Extraction, 

Manufacturing and Construction, 

identified by the Labour Force Survey 

(LFS), where NIHL and HAVS pose a 

risk to the health and safety of workers. 

The group seeks to gather and 

share knowledge and experience 

in good practice, and promote 

awareness and changes in 

behaviours and attitudes towards 

health and safety in the workplace. 

Main objectives for the partnership 

group’s consideration include: 

38 

focusing on the key messages; 

finding the occupations most at risk; 

exploring the measures which will best 

address the requirement for changed 

attitudes and behaviour; and 

developing of effective mechanisms 

for communicating key messages. 

On being appointed, David said: 

“It is both a pleasure and privilege to 

be working with the Health and Safety 

Executive (HSE) again on workplace 

hand-arm vibration and noise. After 

almost 10 years, my ‘first tier’ research 

into vibration emissions from hand 

held power tools, undertaken in 

partnership with Professor Gary Holt 

(also of Birmingham City University) 

and Professor Neil Mansfield 

(Loughborough University), has 

February 2011 

encouraged many Original Equipment 

Manufacturers (OEMs) to revise 

their means of testing machinery 

from single axis data to tri-axis 

measurement. Leading on from this, 

the Hand-arm Vibration Test Centre 

(HAVTEC) database (found at www. 

operc.com) was established and 

continues to grow as the only freely 

available international source of 

scientifically reliable and independent 

vibration data. I fully support the 

HSE’s new ‘second tier’ approach to 

effectively managing the risks posed 

to workers’ health. Unlike accident 

safety, where there is usually a 

‘tangible’ and ‘immediate’ incident 

to report upon, poor-health issues 

that develop over time (such as 

white finger from hand-arm vibration 

exposure) tend to reside further back 

in industry’s conscience. Yet the 

longer term damage posed by these 

risks can be extremely debilitating for 

the individual and costly for employers 

and society in general. The scientific 

community has a duty to proactively 

engage with and support government 

bodies in this way and I am delighted 

that Birmingham City University 

academics are involved.” 

For more information on this 

project, please contact: 

david.edwards@bcu.ac.uk 


andrew Dakin 

Joins Blue group 

Blue Group has announced the 

appointment of Andrew Dakin as 

Sales Director for their Quarrying and 

Mining Division. Andrew has specific 

responsibility for major accounts for 

Powerscreen crushing and screening 

plants and Telestack Conveyors for 

which Blue Group is a main distributor 

in England, Scotland and Wales. 

Andrew Dakin has over 33 years’ 

experience in the industry, having 

started his career in quarrying 

operations and then subsequently 

with Powerscreen Pegson for 

thirty years, nine of which were as 

International Sales Director where he 

was responsible for the considerable 

growth of the company in driving 

forward the Pegson range of mobile 

and static crushing plants globally 

and, during which time, the company 

twice achieved the Queen’s Award 

for Industry in the International Trade 

Category. 

Mr Dakin is a Chartered Mechanical 

Engineer and Associate Member of the 

Institute of Quarrying. 

Commenting on Andrew Dakin’s 

appointment, Blue Group Chairman, 

Pat McGeary said “We are delighted to 

welcome Andrew to Blue Group. He is 

a well-known industry figure and brings 

considerable experience and expertise 

to our quarrying and mining core 

business. His impeccable contacts at a 

senior level will ensure that our marketleading 

Powerscreen and Telestack 

product ranges continue to be first 

choice for discerning customers and 

particularly the key account “blue chip 

nationals” involved in the extractive 

industries.

Celebrating the story of successful 

sustainability, Lafarge is bringing 

all three UK divisions together 

at this year’s Ecobuild. A key 

theme for the show will be 

how Lafarge products and the 

commitment of its employees 

are making a real contribution 

to reducing the environmental 

impact of its operations. 

In a groundbreaking collaboration 

the Managing Directors from the 

three business units at Lafarge 

Aggregates & Concrete will join 

their counterparts from Lafarge 

Cement and Lafarge Plasterboard 

to highlight how their vision focuses 

on keeping sustainability at the 

forefront of the business’ operations. 

Felicity Jelly, Marketing Manager, 

Lafarge Readymix, part of Lafarge 

Aggregates & Concrete UK, said: 

“This will be a pioneering event 

for Lafarge in the UK. We will 

showcase how nature plays an 

essential role in our business, how it 

inspires us, motivates us and drives 

our commitment to supporting 

sustainable construction.” 

The Managing Directors, 

together with other Lafarge 

experts, will be engaging 

openly with Lafarge’s partners, 

stakeholders and the whole 

Ecobuild community throughout 

the course of the 2011 show. 

Find out more about how Lafarge 

is Sustain-Able at Stand N1040 

at ExCel London, from 1 -3 

March 2011 and visit the Lafarge 

website at www.lafarge.co.uk 

February 2011 

PEOPLE 

lafarge Managing Directors 

colloborate at ecobuild 

Besthorpe Nature Reserve, where Lafarge still has an active quarry, 

is the product of more than 50 years of sand and gravel extraction - 

imaginative restoration has created lakes, marshes and reedbeds. 

Managing Director of Lafarge Cement is Dr Erdogan Pekenc. Turkish born 

Erdogan took over the post in 2007 after spending much of his Lafarge 

career in Turkey where he became President and CEO of both Cement 

and Aggregates. Before coming to the UK he was country manager for 

Lafarge Cement Philippines where he moved the company from a breakeven 

position to a €45 million profit. Since joining Lafarge Cement UK 

he has overseen some important changes including the completion of 

Portland House, the division’s new HQ and moved forward plans for a new 

£200 million, state-of-the-art cement works in Medway, Kent, to their final 

preparation stages. 

Managing Director of Lafarge Plasterboard is Jean-Michel Desmoutier. 

Jean-Michel joined Lafarge in 1995 in the marketing team of Lafarge 

Plâtres in France before becoming Strategy and Marketing Director of 

Lafarge Plasterboard Ltd UK and Ireland in 1998. He then moved to 

roles as Business Unit Manager in Brazil and Poland and as Senior Vice 

President Strategy, Gypsum Resources and Latin America for the Gypsum 

Division before moving back to the UK. 

Managing Director of Lafarge Aggregates is Emmanuel Rigaux who 

has been with Lafarge since 1999 following a short stint in management 

consulting. He was with Group audit for three years before moving to the 

US with his family in 2002, first as a Director of Land, based in Denver, 

then as an Area General Manager based in Kansas City. Prior to taking the 

role in the UK in September 2010, Emmanuel was Head of Development 

for AC France and also held responsibility for various functions including 

Public Affairs and Environment, Communication and Mineral Resources. 

Managing Director of Lafarge Readymix is Jeremy Greenwood. 

Jeremy joined Lafarge in 1988 as a graduate trainee and subsequently 

gained experience in many roles across the business, including quarry 

management, commercial management and general management in 

the North East of England. He then became Vice President Readymix at 

Group HQ, Paris, before returning to the UK three years later as National 

Readymix Director. He has been Managing Director Readymix since 2007. 

Managing Director of Lafarge Asphalt and Contracting is Shaun 

Davidson. Having been involved largely in the asphalt and pave sector, 

working for independent and major construction companies, Shaun joined 

Lafarge in January 2001 when the company acquired its first asphalt 

plants. Shaun has worked within asphalt, aggregates and readymix 

concrete and most recently was Vice President General Manager 

Concrete, for Central Europe, working across Poland, Romania, Austria 

and Germany and helping develop businesses in Serbia, Slovenia and the 

Ukraine. Shaun took up his latest UK role in September 2010. 


39

EVENTS 

Symbiosis of man and machine: 

is humanity a slave to technology? 

40 

Lecture talk by Professor David Edwards, Birmingham City Business School 

Thursday 26th May 2011 at IET Birmingham 

(Austin Court, 80 Cambridge Street, Birmingham B1 2NP Tel: +44 (0)121 600 7500) 

THE SPEAKER - Professor David Edwards 

Dr David J. Edwards was appointed as Professor of 

Industrial Innovation and Director of the Centre for 

Business Innovation and Enterprise at Birmingham 

City University in April 2011, having previously been 

at Loughborough University for ten years. His 20 

year research career has uniquely focused upon the 

management of plant and machinery in business and has 

covered specific themes within, such as health and safety 

management, machinery procurement, financial control 

and maintenance management. He has published various 

industry guidance notes through the internationally 

leading Off-highway Plant and Equipment Research 

Centre (OPERC) and remains a consultant to a range 

of government bodies (including the Ministry of Defence 

and Health and Safety Executive), research councils and 

numerous industrialists. He has published over 140 peer 

reviewed research papers, various conference papers and 

textbooks, and numerous industrial research reports. 

February 2011 

THE TALK - Symbiosis of man and machine: is humanity a slave to technology? 

Since the advent of the Industrial Revolution, humanity has become increasingly reliant upon the plethora 

of palpable benefits that can be derived from utilising the advanced technology inherent within machinery. 

During the first wave of industrial innovation, machinery freed civilisation from a subsistence existence 

and engendered manumission across the globe. Today, a nano-technological revolution has swept the 

developed world; and advanced ‘intelligent’ electronic machinery continues to proliferate and dominate 

businesses in every sector of industry [public and private]. The future is here today, but will robots 

eventually resign humanity to a leisure and pleasure existence? 

In this talk, David reflects upon several pragmatic plant and machinery case studies conducted over 

the past ten years to explore this aforementioned question. Specific studies include hand-arm vibration, 

machinery stability and operative training and competence development. His aim is to stimulate wider 

debate and voice concerns over the prevalence of a seductive ‘Emperor’s new clothes’ mentality. The 

speech concludes with hypothesis and new research questions that answer the title of his presentation. 

HOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE 

For further information or to 

register your interest in 

attending this event, please email 

colleen.bass@bcu.ac.uk 

PROGRAMME 

6.00 p.m – 6.30 p.m Registration and Refreshments 

6.30 p.m – 6.45 p.m Welcome and Introduction 

Professor Christopher Prince 

6.45 p.m – 7.00 p.m Guest Speaker 

7.00 p.m - 7.30 p.m Lecture talk, Professor David Edwards 

7.30 p.m – 7.45 p.m Questions and Answers Session 

8.00 p.m Close

Training and Testing 

Specialist in construction plant and 

equipment operative training and 

assessment. 

Courses tailored to suit client’s 

specific site requirements. 

Anywhere in the UK. 

Contact: 

Mr Mick Norton BEM, 

10 Pinders Grove, Wakefield, West 

Yorkshire, WF1 4AH 

Mob: 07880 743288 

Tel: 01924 210817 

Email: micknorton@spindoctor.co.uk 

www.cpcs-plant-training.co.uk 

BaRRY 

RoBinSon 

ConSulting 

Specialist Trainer in Quarrying and 

Construction Plant and Equipment. 

Contact: Mr Barry Robinson, MBE. 

Mob: 07815 736 924 

aPPle 

inDuStRial 

SaFetY 

PLANT & SAFETY TRAINING; 

OPERC Safetynet testing, NPORS, 

RTITB, CPCS, IPAF, CCNSG, SPA, 

VCA and PASMA, UK & Europe. 

Mill 1, The Business Park, Mansfield, 

NG19 8RL 

Tel: 0845 505 2020 

Fax: 0845 505 2021 

Contact: Kay Knowles 

kay@applesafety.co.uk 

Web: www.applesafety.co.uk 

RitChieS 

tRaining CentRe 

Construction plant training courses, 

LGV/PCV training, crane training, 

forklift training. NPORS, CPCS, 

LANTRA, OCR, FTA, RHA and 

Department for Transport. 

Hobden Street, Glasgow, G21 4AQ 

Tel: 0141 557 2212 

Fax: 0141 558 8252 

Email: sales@ritchiestraining.co.uk 

www.ritchiestraining.co.uk 

taSC Solutions 

Providing educational resources and 

consultancy on specialist plant and 

equipment, and services on diamond 

drilling rigs, diamond cutting, masonry 

saw benches, floor saws and 

abrasive wheels. 

5 Tavistock Close, 

Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 1JY 

Tel: 01795 436435 

Mob: 07515 994986 

info@adamsconsultancy.org.uk 

FielD SaleS 

tRaining gRouP 

Field sales training workshops 

individually tailored to the precise 

requirements and 

aims of your 

company. 

ShaRP PRaCtiCe 

Management Consultancy with a deep 

understanding of the Capital Equipment 

Industries and Markets. Specialists in 

Private Client research and analysis 

of the Capital Equipment Markets on a 

Global Basis. 

3 Hartwell Grove, Creswell Manor, 

Stafford, England, ST16 1RW 

Mob: 07932 693 184 

Tel: 01785 606 677 

Email: info@sharppractice.eu 

www.sharppractice.eu 

RoBinSon Plant 

SeRViCeS 

“Giving you full service, 

quality and value” 

7 Carsic Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield, 

Nottinghamshire, NG17 2AS 

Tel: 07812 148711 

For a free quote 

contact Field Sales 

Training Group 

info@fieldsalestraininggroup.co.uk 

Tel: 07788 480220 

richard@robinsonplantservices.co.uk 

CLASSIFIEDS 

CLASSIFIEDS 

MilleR 

Plant 

Specialists in the supply of new and 

quality used construction equipment 

for the UK and abroad; full service 

backup and training provided. 

Miller Plant, Woodside House, 

Pedmore Road, Dudley, 

West Midlands, DY2 0RL 

Tel: 01384 262400 

Fax: 01384 350269 

Email: millplant@aol.com 

CaRl PalMeR 

Master engraver and craftsman. 

Hand engraving for trophy prizes and 

crystal wear. 

Contact: 07751 978731 

Geoff Tristram Ltd 

Artist, cartoonist and 

comedy novelist. 

Fine art and 

illustration, cartoons 

and caricatures. 

‘Live’ caricatures at 

corporate events. Humorous talks - 

‘Confessions of an Artist’ - amusing 

anecdotes from 30 plus years as a 

professional artist. 

Tel: 01384 442881 

Email: gt@geofftristram.co.uk 

www.geofftristram.co.uk 

e&P ConStRuCtion 

SKillS liMiteD 

Professional trainers offering a wide 

range of courses to the construction 

industry. NPORS Accredited Training 

Provider. 

Contact: 55 Oldfield Drive, Vicars 

Cross, Chester, CH3 5LT 

Tel: 0845 619 0910 

Steve: 07531 725 598 

Bobby: 07531 725 650. 

tYPing MatteRS 

your virtual office assistant 

Providing a 24/7 confidential, 

reliable and cost-effective on-line 

transcription service for 

all your typing requirements. 

Tel: 01785 606677 

Email: typingmatters@ntlworld.com 

February 2011 

41

NEWS MEGABYTES 

42 

MB 

neWS MegaBYteS 

Speedy rocks around the clock 

Speedy has launched a 24-hour call out 

facility called Speedy Response. The new 

service provides access to on-call engineers, 

nationwide breakdown cover and a telephone 

assistance service to any of its customers 

wishing to sign-up to the scheme. 

a-Plant launches new website 

A-Plant has launched a brand new interactive 

website at www.aplant.com providing easier site 

navigation and improved access to a wealth of 

product and specification information, including an 

expanded Product Guide and Health and Safety 

section, as well as links to social media and video 

sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube 

and secure access to the A-Plant Extranet. 

Skanska to 

build homes in the uK 

Following a recent announcement that it was to 

establish a Residential Development business 

in the UK, Skanska has purchased its first site 

in Cambridge with outline planning permission 

for 128 properties including both houses and 

apartments. Construction is planned to start 

later this year and will be delivered to Level 

4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. 

Komatsu resolve merger 

of Komatsu utility Co. ltd. 

Komatsu Ltd. has announced that the Board of 

Directors has resolved the merger of Komatsu 

Utility Co. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of 

Komatsu Ltd. engaging in the production and sale 

of forklift trucks and mini construction equipment, 

with Komatsu Ltd. in the form of a simplified 

absorption-type merger to be effective from 

April 1, 2011. 

February 2011 

“I’m a great 

believer in 

luck, and I find 

the harder I 

work the more 

I have of it.” 

Thomas Jefferson 


If there’s a seatbelt 

fitted – wear it! 

Have you thought about 

advertising in Plant and 

Equipment Professional? 

Email us at pep@operc.com 

for more details.

For more details please contact: 

Mr Chris Miller 

National Registrar 

Contractors Mechanical Plant Engineers, 

Woodside House, Pedmore Road, 

Dudley, West Midlands, DY2 ORL 

Tel: 01384 352403 

Fax: 01384 350269 

Email: millplant@aol.com 

www.cmpe.co.uk 

Don’t be a monkey! 

Get trained! 

Get competent! 

Get the CMPE 

Certificate of 

Competence. 

Special reports, Latest news, Worldwide distribution & Expert opinions

44 

February 2011 

NEWS 

FREE UNDERCARRIAGE INSPECTION 

PLUS 15% DISCOUNT ON PARTS!* 

A machine with a faulty undercarriage is like a lame 

workhorse: the longer you leave it the worse it gets – and 

the more it ends up costing you in parts and productivity. 

That’s why we’re offering you this opportunity to have 

a FREE undercarriage inspection on each of your 

Volvo excavators. 

• After the on-site inspection by a trained Volvo 

service technician, you’ll receive a comprehensive 

report and our recommendations for action. 

• If repairs and maintenance are required, we will 

arrange with you for these to take place at a time 

that has the least impact upon your productivity. 

• Any undercarriage parts that are required will come 

with a 15 % PRICE DISCOUNT! 

• We only use Genuine Volvo Parts ensuring that you obtain 

maximum performance from your machine. 

• Parts availability and response time is second to 

none – minimising your downtime. 

• Competitive prices and Volvo quality. 

• Call 0870 600 1112 and ask for Parts. 

Ask about Volvo Exchange Track Groups... 

Significant additional savings can be made by 

fitting our Volvo approved Exchange Track Groups 

– part worn (less than 50 %) track pads fitted with 

brand new nuts, bolts and sprockets! 

* Offer valid until 31 March 2011. For full terms and conditions of 

this offer please visit our website www.volvoce.co.uk

Globus Gloves - OPERC - Off-highway Plant and Equipment ...

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