We need to formalise safety norms for all material handling equipment
Wylie?s R&D team is constantly working on products and cost effective technology for all types of crane applications. Wylie is moving towards CAN based crane safe load indicator system in next two months, says Khalid Aziz, Vice President Corporate, Wylie Indicators. Excerpts from the interview.
Brief us about the current safety norms and regulations for material handling equipment, especially cranes?
The safety norms for cranes in India are very weak. There is no norm that makes the fitment of safe load indicators mandatory on cranes. We need to formalise safety norms for all material handling equipment to guarantee safety in operations and protection of lives. Mobile cranes used for material handling are prone to accidents that could happen because of accidental and intentional over loading. Accidental over loading of cranes happens because the crane operator has no aid in-terms of instrumentation on crane parameters and safety margins. The crane operator is all the time guessing loads and distances. It is very important that safety norms for cranes when formalised should define the safety devices that should be fitted to mobile cranes.
Despite the absence of safety norms for cranes there is a strong drive in public and private sectors to ensure safety in crane operations. Many large corporates and public sector companies have made it mandatory to fit safe load indicators on cranes that are deployed on their projects.
Do we need to upgrade the existing specs and standards? What are your suggestions?
There is an Indian Standard IS 4573-1982 for power driven mobile cranes that outlines the specifications for an automatic safe load indicator on mobile cranes. The standard clearly stipulates the crane parameters that need to monitored and displayed. This standard may be upgraded to a more detailed standard like BS 7262:1990 that defines more aspects of crane safe load indicators. The above Indian standard talks about cranes that usually have hooks that are rope operated and are part of a hoist system that has a winch at the other end and a hook at another. This standard does not talk about the hooks fixed on the cranes boom. An automatic safe load indicator that monitors all hooks on pick and carry cranes needs to be specified in the indian standards and these machines are used very extensively throughout the country.
What is your take on the gap between the existing norms and the lack of implementing agencies? What can be done to iron out the issues?
Let?s not talk about the gap because the gap is between two existing entities. When there are no norms on crane safety in India why talk about gap and why talk about the role of implementing agencies. We need to define and implement safety norms for cranes and then talk about other related issues.
What is the growth potential for safety related products in cranes?
In the absence of safety norms in India, market for the safety related products is limited. However, there exits a great potential for safety products once the norms are put in place. Today whatever demand exists for safety related products is primarily because of self-started safety programs by large corporates and PSUs.
In India very few crane users are ready to pay a premium for crane safety. However, such crane owners are forced to install crane safety devices on their cranes when their equipment is hired for DMRC sites or for large PSU projects. Even in such cases crane owners try and cut corners by installing a safety device that partially covers the safety requirements. It is very important to note here that the DMRC has come out with some guidelines on the safety devices that are to be fitted on cranes deployed on their project sites. We only hope that the implementation of these guidelines is done properly.
Tell us about the core strength and competencies of Wylie?
Wylie is known name in India and is the market leader in the field of crane safety. Our core strengths are market proximity and strong customer relationship, solid knowledge base and intellectual property, efficiency in providing solutions to our customers, enabling the products to achieve superior performance in-terms of safety, low downtime and optimum utilization, efficient customer support, training of crane operators on using safety devices on cranes and a very strong R&D team that is always working on new technologies. Our competencies are our ability to design and manufacture reliable crane safe load indicators that provide trouble free operations for years.
Detail us on the range of products and services offered by Wylie? And also tell us about the advantages?
Wylie offers safe load indicators and load moment indicators for telescopic boom mobile cranes, lattice jib crawler mounted cranes, pick & carry cranes, electrical level luffing port cranes, EOT cranes etc. The models are KY2000, KY2001, SMART, eSAMRT & FORTIUS can meet the safety requirements of all types of crane applications. We provide data logging and remote asset monitoring systems whereby the crane user can gather data from their cranes to assess productivity and utilisation of the crane.
Wylie products are tried and proven. The enclosures are IP66 compliance, ie, protected against environment thus ensuring reliability and accuracy. Our systems are CE certified and BS7262 compliant. The electronics deployed for the safety systems ensure compact sizes and aesthetics. The display systems are user friendly and can be read and understood easily. Wylie products spell class and are available at very competitive prices.
Tell us about the type and class of cranes where Wylie offer safety-related products?
Wylie offers safe load indicators and load moment indicators for telescopic boom mobile cranes, lattice jib crawler mounted cranes, pick & carry cranes, electrical level luffing port cranes, EOT cranes etc.
Is cost a deterrent for the sale of advanced machines with in-built safety features?
Cost is not a deterrent for the sale of advanced machines with in-built safety products. The cost of safety systems for advanced cranes is only 3-5 per cent of the cost of the machine.
What is the role played by Wylie to ensure safety at the job site? Especially in training the operators/ adhering to maintenance practices, and proper handling of the machines?
We provide very efficient product support to ensure that the supplied devices are working in order and the calibration is OK. Wylie engineers make periodic visit to customer sites all over the country. During their visits, Wylie engineers impart training to crane operators on using safe load indicators and understanding the information provided by the safety system on crane parameters. Training on proper handling of machines is usually implemented by crane OEM.
How do you look at competition in your product lines and what differentiate Wylie?
We at Wylie never under estimate competition. However, as of now the competition is able to sell because of lack of safety norms and clarity on the specifications on safety products. Wylie is ahead of the competition in terms of the level of technology and innovation by 10 to 15 years.
Brief us about the technology and product trends in your product lines?
Wylie?s R&D team is constantly working on products and cost effective technology for all types of crane applications. Wylie is moving towards CAN-based crane safe load indicator system in next two months.
Brief us about the current safety norms and regulations for material handling equipment, especially cranes?
The safety norms for cranes in India are very weak. There is no norm that makes the fitment of safe load indicators mandatory on cranes. We need to formalise safety norms for all material handling equipment to guarantee safety in operations and protection of lives. Mobile cranes used for material handling are prone to accidents that could happen because of accidental and intentional over loading. Accidental over loading of cranes happens because the crane operator has no aid in-terms of instrumentation on crane parameters and safety margins. The crane operator is all the time guessing loads and distances. It is very important that safety norms for cranes when formalised should define the safety devices that should be fitted to mobile cranes.
Despite the absence of safety norms for cranes there is a strong drive in public and private sectors to ensure safety in crane operations. Many large corporates and public sector companies have made it mandatory to fit safe load indicators on cranes that are deployed on their projects.
Do we need to upgrade the existing specs and standards? What are your suggestions?
There is an Indian Standard IS 4573-1982 for power driven mobile cranes that outlines the specifications for an automatic safe load indicator on mobile cranes. The standard clearly stipulates the crane parameters that need to monitored and displayed. This standard may be upgraded to a more detailed standard like BS 7262:1990 that defines more aspects of crane safe load indicators. The above Indian standard talks about cranes that usually have hooks that are rope operated and are part of a hoist system that has a winch at the other end and a hook at another. This standard does not talk about the hooks fixed on the cranes boom. An automatic safe load indicator that monitors all hooks on pick and carry cranes needs to be specified in the indian standards and these machines are used very extensively throughout the country.
What is your take on the gap between the existing norms and the lack of implementing agencies? What can be done to iron out the issues?
Let?s not talk about the gap because the gap is between two existing entities. When there are no norms on crane safety in India why talk about gap and why talk about the role of implementing agencies. We need to define and implement safety norms for cranes and then talk about other related issues.
What is the growth potential for safety related products in cranes?
In the absence of safety norms in India, market for the safety related products is limited. However, there exits a great potential for safety products once the norms are put in place. Today whatever demand exists for safety related products is primarily because of self-started safety programs by large corporates and PSUs.
In India very few crane users are ready to pay a premium for crane safety. However, such crane owners are forced to install crane safety devices on their cranes when their equipment is hired for DMRC sites or for large PSU projects. Even in such cases crane owners try and cut corners by installing a safety device that partially covers the safety requirements. It is very important to note here that the DMRC has come out with some guidelines on the safety devices that are to be fitted on cranes deployed on their project sites. We only hope that the implementation of these guidelines is done properly.
Tell us about the core strength and competencies of Wylie?
Wylie is known name in India and is the market leader in the field of crane safety. Our core strengths are market proximity and strong customer relationship, solid knowledge base and intellectual property, efficiency in providing solutions to our customers, enabling the products to achieve superior performance in-terms of safety, low downtime and optimum utilization, efficient customer support, training of crane operators on using safety devices on cranes and a very strong R&D team that is always working on new technologies. Our competencies are our ability to design and manufacture reliable crane safe load indicators that provide trouble free operations for years.
Detail us on the range of products and services offered by Wylie? And also tell us about the advantages?
Wylie offers safe load indicators and load moment indicators for telescopic boom mobile cranes, lattice jib crawler mounted cranes, pick & carry cranes, electrical level luffing port cranes, EOT cranes etc. The models are KY2000, KY2001, SMART, eSAMRT & FORTIUS can meet the safety requirements of all types of crane applications. We provide data logging and remote asset monitoring systems whereby the crane user can gather data from their cranes to assess productivity and utilisation of the crane.
Wylie products are tried and proven. The enclosures are IP66 compliance, ie, protected against environment thus ensuring reliability and accuracy. Our systems are CE certified and BS7262 compliant. The electronics deployed for the safety systems ensure compact sizes and aesthetics. The display systems are user friendly and can be read and understood easily. Wylie products spell class and are available at very competitive prices.
Tell us about the type and class of cranes where Wylie offer safety-related products?
Wylie offers safe load indicators and load moment indicators for telescopic boom mobile cranes, lattice jib crawler mounted cranes, pick & carry cranes, electrical level luffing port cranes, EOT cranes etc.
Is cost a deterrent for the sale of advanced machines with in-built safety features?
Cost is not a deterrent for the sale of advanced machines with in-built safety products. The cost of safety systems for advanced cranes is only 3-5 per cent of the cost of the machine.
What is the role played by Wylie to ensure safety at the job site? Especially in training the operators/ adhering to maintenance practices, and proper handling of the machines?
We provide very efficient product support to ensure that the supplied devices are working in order and the calibration is OK. Wylie engineers make periodic visit to customer sites all over the country. During their visits, Wylie engineers impart training to crane operators on using safe load indicators and understanding the information provided by the safety system on crane parameters. Training on proper handling of machines is usually implemented by crane OEM.
How do you look at competition in your product lines and what differentiate Wylie?
We at Wylie never under estimate competition. However, as of now the competition is able to sell because of lack of safety norms and clarity on the specifications on safety products. Wylie is ahead of the competition in terms of the level of technology and innovation by 10 to 15 years.
Brief us about the technology and product trends in your product lines?
Wylie?s R&D team is constantly working on products and cost effective technology for all types of crane applications. Wylie is moving towards CAN-based crane safe load indicator system in next two months.
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