Novel approach to drilling reduces vibration exposure
15/11/2004

The health and safety focus of Midlands based demolition experts Coleman & Company has once again been highlighted in a project to develop a new piece of equipment with construction plant specialists Marubeni-Komatsu.

Allen Smith, Director & General Manager of Marubeni-Komatsu, was speaking at the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) Conference in Prague in 2003 when he was approached by David Coleman, Managing Director of Coleman & Co.  The discussion focused on the ongoing concerns of the construction industry regarding the potential health implications of working with hand-held drilling equipment and the possibility of developing a machine-based approach to drilling.

Exposure to vibrations when operating hand-held power tools and the potential for a range of health effects collectively known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) – the most well known of which is vibration white finger – is well documented.  New regulations are due to be introduced in 2005 and with that in mind, Coleman & Co began working with Marubeni-Komatsu to come up with a means of reducing the exposure of its employees.

The result is a PC09 Mini Excavator fitted with a specially designed drilling rig.  Mark Blakemore, Area Sales Manager for Marubeni Komatsu, and the research and development team at Komatsu constructed the rig which features special brackets to enable a drill to be attached to a standard PC09.   The rig features an air compression system to absorb the vibrations and prevent the excavator from moving.

Tests at a major Midlands tower block due for demolition have proved very positive with the rig enabling Coleman & Co to drill holes into the concrete to accommodate the explosive charges.  Billy Young, Contract Manager with Coleman & Co, comments – “We are creating an environment where men can work vibration free.  We recognise that it will not completely take the place of hand-held drilling but the trials have proved very encouraging.  It gives us much greater flexibility in our drilling procedures and also has the added advantage of moving the operative back a few feet from the drilling area, further reducing the risk of potential injury.”

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