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Dandara teams up with UK Forks to take site safety to even greater heights

Leading UK private housebuilder Dandara has doubled down on site safety by utilising AI Human Form Recognition cameras supplied by telehandler hire specialists UK Forks.

The award-winning developer has added AI HFR cameras to its fleet of 14m JCB telehandlers that it hires from UK Forks to move materials around its sites across England, Wales and Scotland.

HFR cameras use innovative AI technology to detect human presence in three zones around an operating machine - both sides and the rear. The cameras provide a real-time visual and audible in-cab alert to warn the operator of potential danger. The high-definition image highlights the risk, enabling operators to take the necessary action. An external speaker can also be fitted to warn the individual at risk and increase awareness for site personnel of the operating machine.

As the AI technology can differentiate between humans and static objects such as bricks or scaffolding, this prevents excessive alerting and makes it an accurate solution that workers can trust.

Dandara already had strict safety protocols in place to ensure the safe movement of pedestrians throughout sites before the HFR cameras were adopted but is investing heavily in the new technology to take them to an even higher level.

Prior to introducing the HFR cameras, Dandara's safety specification included driver aids such as reversing cameras, white noise reversing alarms to alert site operatives, and rear and side view mirrors for driver visibility during manoeuvres.

As part of Dandara's proactive health and safety culture, the Health and Safety department started trialing various site personnel and pedestrian detection products to mitigate where plant and people could not be separated. UK Forks introduced the company to a range of human detection systems, and it was agreed that the human detection system from VUE, based in Manchester, was the right fit for their business.

So, while their original safety specification remains in place, the company has further enhanced driver visibility with the HFR cameras to minimise blind spots and detect human presence around an operating machine. Site operatives are provided with designated segregated walkways and crossing points to enable safe movement throughout site. Should they choose to deviate from these routes and enter a specified zone around a telehandler, the worker is provided with an audible alert warning them that the machine is operational, and the driver is provided with an audible and clear visual alert of the operative.

Chris Ball, Dandara's head of health, safety and environmental, said: "We chose UK Forks as they had the ability to provide the human detection solution we needed and to implement that solution across our active fleet of telehandlers on all our sites throughout the UK. Along with the HFR cameras already installed and operational, they will also respond to any associated mechanical issues promptly and provide the support and expertise we always look for in a partner.

"Operators have reported a significant positive shift in on-site behaviour as workers on site are showing more respect for the machine movements and are more reluctant to approach them without authorisation from the operators. The external audible alerts are proving to be beneficial in changing people's behaviors and habits around operational telehandlers. We are also utilising the integrated telematics to improve fleet efficiency and reduce risk."

He added: "The service and support from UK Forks has been excellent and their engineers completed the installs across the entire fleet smoothly and efficiently. Going forward, all new hires will have HFR cameras fitted prior to arriving on site as per our hire option terms."

Dandara has worked in partnership with UK Forks for five years as the company was looking for a national supplier that provided a reliable and consistent service that met their site safety specification UK-wide. So, the HFR cameras and telematics have been added to the hire agreement specification.

UK Forks' operations director Simon Brook said: "We are delighted to have played a part in helping Dandara achieve an even higher level of health and safety across their sites through the introduction and application of this new, innovative and exciting technological solution to site safety."

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