15 September 2022 − IADC granted the 2022 Safety Award for dredging contractors to DEME for its retractable ladder for track excavators.
During the IADC Annual General Meeting in Forte dei Marmi (Italy), IADC President Frank Verhoeven revealed the winner of the Safety Award 2022. This year, IADC granted the safety award for dredging contractors to DEME for its retractable ladder for track excavators.
DREDGING CONTRACTOR AWARD
Stepping on and off machinery is not without risks. Following an Lost Time Injury (LTI), DEME carried out a thorough investigation and found a lot of operators had scars on their shins caused by contact with the tracks when stepping on and off track excavators. The existing steps on an excavator are located inside the boundary of the tracks, which can be the cause of many injuries and near misses. Bringing the steps outside the tracks is not an option however, since this creates other risks both operational and for transport.
The solution – a retractable ladder that can be folded up just above the upper structure of the crane cabin. The area between the tracks and upper cabin stays completely free so there is no contact with sand or mud sticking on the tracks. Located on a safety area besides the excavator door, this innovative design needs almost no maintenance.
The ladder is made out of one piece of metal and retracts by itself after use. It can be positioned in the location of the original platform and both a bolted or welded connection is possible. The benefit of the design is that you only need one type of ladder. DEME foresee one standard ladder with a maximum length that can be adjusted on smaller type of track excavators.
Photo caption 1: The existing steps on an excavator are located inside the boundary of the tracks, which is the cause of many injuries and near misses. DEME’s retractable ladder provides a safe way for the operator to step on and off the machinery.
ANNUAL AWARDS PROMOTE SAFETY INNOVATION
“As IADC, we realise that dredging contractors play an important role in increasing safety. Sometimes the simplest idea can make a major contribution to improving safety, as is the case of the DEME’s retractable ladder for track excavators. This nomination showed once again that an idea doesn't always have to be rocket science, but innovation can be found in the simplest of things,” says René Kolman, Secretary General of IADC. “Our Safety Awards are designed to encourage the development of safety skills in the workplace and to reward people and companies who demonstrate a commitment to safety awareness in the course of their profession. The awards, presented each year, recognise the exceptional safety performance demonstrated by a particular project, programme, procedure, product, vessel, team or employee(s).”
Photo caption 2: On behalf of DEME, Eric Tancré (left), Managing Director Activity Line Infra and Activity Line Dredging, accepts the Safety Award 2022 which was bestowed by IADC’s President Frank Verhoeven (right).