Xwatch Safety Solutions Winter 23 Newsletter

Xwatch News

Issue 6 Winter 2023 L Lynch Plant Hire and Haulage training supported by Xwatch Lynch believes that the right training and familiarisation on all types of plant that the company supply is key to the company and the wider industry’s future. Ensuring that Lynch customers’ sites are safe, and personnel remain injury free, is pivotal for everyone involved in construction projects.

The latest machine to join the Lynch training school is a Hitachi ZX135US 16 tonne reduced tailswing crawler excavator. Xwatch Safety Solutions has recently installed a XW5 series RCI to the machine to bring operators and trainees up to speed with all the functions of the rated capacity indicator.

Chris Kent NVQ Plant Assessor at Lynch recently hosted Dan Leaney Sales & Operations Director, Xwatch Safety Systems, who visited the Brampton site to provide Xwatch ‘system familiarisation’ for the instructors. Chris said, “We like the Xwatch XW5 system as the virtual wall is included in the base price and is not an added extra. The system is also smoother on slow-down and pre-empts limits sooner than other RCI’s on the market. Familiarising our instructors with the system with the manufacturer is an important part of the training process so we can maximise the time with all of our operators.”

Dan said, “We were delighted to support Lynch in supplying an XW5 system for the training centre. The vast majority of large infrastructure projects, such as HS2, will have machines working with this system, so it’s important that the operator is fully up to speed with the functions of the RCI. Everyone deserves to go home safe and understanding the importance of height, slew, and load capacity on a busy jobsite keeps the operator and site personnel free from harm. Lynch pride themselves in providing the best operators and we are proud to be a part of that.”

Chris Gill, Director at L Lynch Plant Hire added, “ We currently have Xwatch systems installed a number of our machines in our fleet ranging from 5 tonne up to 25 tonne excavators, we also have a system fitted to a 9m telehandler. We also looking at further installations this year for our growing fleet. Safety is our priority at Lynch and we are very proud of the training we offer to provide our sector with the very best operators.”

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Xwatch News

Enhancing railway safety: Xwatch and Readypower's commitment to advanced MEWP solutions Xwatch, known for its innovative safety solutions in the construction sector, also offers solutions for the Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) sector, and continues to demonstrate its commitment to safety.

Central to this commitment is the Xwatch XW MEWP system, an established and respected feature in the industry, known for its robustness and reliability in enhancing safety on a variety of powered access equipment.

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Readypower, a leader in providing plant and equipment to the construction and railway industries in the UK, boasts a remarkable fleet, including one of the largest collection of rail MEWPs in the UK.

The Xwatch system, an integral part of Readypower's safety arsenal, is fitted to most of its fleet. This system plays a crucial role in enabling the machinery to operate under ALO (Adjacent Line Open) conditions, showcasing an advancement from the traditional 180 slew lock mechanism.

Jemma Dycer-Hopkins Sales and Operations Manager at Xwatch, emphasised the importance of safety in MEWPs, especially when operating in railway environments. "Our collaboration with Readypower is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to safety. The railway sector presents unique challenges, and the Xwatch system ensures that these are met with the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency," said DycerHopkins.

This partnership highlights a shared dedication to safety and efficiency, with Xwatch's XW MEWP system playing a pivotal role in setting safety benchmarks in the MEWP sector. The combination of Readypower's impressive fleet and Xwatch's safety expertise highlights a collective pursuit of excellence, ensuring that safety remains at the forefront in challenging environments like railways.

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Xwatch News

SANY UK & Ireland and Xwatch Safety Solutions - elevating safety through collaboration A collaboration that captures this synergy is the relationship between SANY UK & Ireland and Xwatch Safety Solutions. This partnership represents how leading industry players are placing great emphasis on ensuring operational safety, while also ensuring customer preferences are met.

It’s evident from the choices of major industry players, tier one contractors, and plant hire companies, who will specify their requirement for both Xwatch and Leica on their SANY machines. This demand is driven by the necessity to comply with safety requirements on crucial infrastructure projects such as HS2 and Hinkley Point C.

It's almost become a pre-requisite: before even discussing adding a machine to a fleet, hirers and contractors ask, "Is it Xwatch compatible?"

"Safety compliance on major infrastructure projects has made advanced systems integration a standard ask; it's no longer just about the machinery, but also about ensuring compatibility with leading safety solutions." reported Jonathan Smith, Product Manager, SANY UK & Ireland.

"The collaboration between SANY and Xwatch is like precision engineering, where each function supports the other. This ensures that our customers and SANY’s customers can depend on the reliability and safety of our systems for uninterrupted operations." Said Dan Leaney, Sales and Operations Director, Xwatch.

The collaboration between SANY UK & Ireland and Xwatch Safety Solutions is a prime example of how industry leaders can come together to ensure that operational safety isn't compromised while simultaneously meeting customer preferences. This alliance demonstrates that with the right partnership, innovation, safety, and customer satisfaction can go hand in hand. It’s a collaboration that not only serves as a benchmark for the industry but also assures customers that their safety and needs are always at the forefront.

An example of a recent installation was for an arborist company - Alun Hughes of ALH Forestry on his 16-tonne SANY SY155U excavator. In 2021 the Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) emphasising that mechanical tree work with an excavator clearly comes under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). This highlighted the need for strict adherence to all processes these regulations detail. The Xwatch RCI and the SANY machine were the perfect combination and solution in this scenario.

Photograph courtesy of Paul Argent at RPA Media

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Xwatch News

Xwatch Safety Solutions boosts dealer training and Operator skills The team trained a high number of engineers from its dealer network, including staff from OnGrade machine control ltd, Plantforce, and Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK). This initiative is part of Xwatch's strategy to enable their dealers to install systems with their in-house engineers, enhancing efficiency and expertise.

Additionally, Xwatch conducted a one-day operator training at an HS2 site for teams from Balfour Beatty and Synergy Hire. This session focused on practical, hands-on training, ensuring operators are fully equipped to handle Xwatch systems on the job.

Jemma Dycer - Hopkins (IOSH), Sales and Operations Manager at Xwatch, shared her enthusiasm about the company's recent activities: "It's been a hectic but rewarding week. We're not just training people; we're expanding our reach and capabilities. There's a lot more coming up that we're excited about. We're not just keeping pace; we're setting the pace."

Xwatch's recent training initiatives are a clear indicator of its commitment to not only supply top-quality safety systems but also to ensure that those using and installing them are thoroughly trained.

This approach positions Xwatch as a leader in both product innovation and industry training.

Xwatch, in collaboration with Flannery Plant Hire and Leica Geosystems, wins prestigious TechFest Award for innovative 3D avoidance solution Xwatch Safety Solutions, together with Leica Geosystems, and Flannery Plant Hire has been recognised at the TechFest Awards, organised by Construction News and New Civil Engineer, for their pioneering 3D avoidance safety solution, marking a significant advancement in construction site safety.

This groundbreaking 3D avoidance solution has already demonstrated its value in 'real world' applications, having been tested on sites with Tier One contractor Kier Group.

Its adoption signifies a major step forward in the continuous pursuit of enhanced safety standards in the construction industry, proving that technological innovation is key to advancing workplace safety and operational efficiency.

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Xwatch News

Hitachi Construction Machinery UK has strengthened its longstanding partnership with Xwatch Safety Solutions by purchasing & installing over 160 Xwatch Safety Systems at their HCT facility in Newcastle Xwatch Safety Solutions, a leading provider of advanced height and slew systems, is proud to announce that its partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery UK (HCMUK), a leading OEM, continues to grow.

Over the course of this relationship, Xwatch has supplied HCMUK with more than 160 Xwatch Safety Systems, including the market leading XW4 height and slew systems, and the comprehensive XW5 units which also offer a Rated Capacity Indicator (RCI).

The alliance, which began in 2021, has seen the two industry powerhouses collaborate to integrate telematics into their solution, setting a new benchmark for real time reporting, safety and machine communication in the construction sector. Xwatch's innovative system has enabled Hitachi to integrate CTFleet Link®, HCMUK’s mixed-fleet telematics management system, creating an unrivalled telematics solution.

By working collaboratively with Xwatch, HCMUK's CTFleet Link® offers the unique capability of delivering data into the CTFleet Link® portal from any Xwatch Safety Solutions system fitted to the machine when paired with HCMUK's flagship CTFleet Link® telematics hardware.

Stephen Creaser, Director of Product Support at HCMUK, expressed his satisfaction with the Xwatch systems: "Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Hitachi Construction Machinery UK. The Xwatch systems' reliability, and the CTFleet Link® integration, aligns perfectly with our commitment to safety while providing the customer with an industry leading solution. The successful partnership has seen a collaborative approach to installing the Xwatch systems on our range of hydraulic excavators at our HCT facility and in the field. The competency and professionalism of our HCT engineers, along with the Xwatch installers have been pivotal in achieving this.“ Dan Leaney, Xwatch Safety Solutions Sales and Operations Director, also shared his enthusiasm: "We're delighted to have HCMUK as our OEM partners. It's partnerships like these that drive innovation and elevate safety standards in the industry. We're greatly looking forward to our future collaborations."

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Xwatch News

Power Grid Civils (Irl) Ltd boosts fleet with Hitachi Machines and Xwatch, supplied by TBF Thompson Power Grid Civils (Irl) Ltd, an established engineering and consultancy firm operating in the UK and Ireland, has recently expanded its machinery fleet with the addition of two Hitachi ZX135US-7 excavators. The company, founded in 2012, is recognised for its dedication to safety, environmental responsibility, and quality service in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

The acquisition of these state-of-the-art excavators marks a step forward in the company's quest for improved productivity and operational safety. The decision to incorporate these machines into their fleet is in line with Power Grid Civils' ongoing commitment to employing advanced technology for better service delivery.

These Hitachi excavators were sourced through TBF Thompson (Garvagh) Ltd, a reputed equipment supplier in Northern Ireland. A key feature of these machines is the integration of the Xwatch Safety Solutions' XW4 systems, provided by Xwatch. This technology introduces a virtual safety barrier around the equipment, which improves safety while maintaining high performance levels.

TBF Thompson has commended the integration of the Xwatch technology, highlighting its impact on enhancing safety standards and operational efficiency. They praised the innovative approach of Xwatch in monitoring and improving machinery safety features.

Both Xwatch and Power Grid Civils (Irl) Ltd, Dublin, have acknowledged TBF Thompson's role in this successful collaboration. The integration of Hitachi machinery with Xwatch technology in Power Grid Civils' operations demonstrates the effective partnerships within the industry and a shared focus on quality and excellence.

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Xwatch News

M&J Evans Construction celebrates safety milestone with Xwatch’s 4000th system installation M&J Evans Construction Ltd a leading name in the UK housebuilding sector, has marked a significant milestone in their commitment to safety. The company celebrated the installation of the 4000th Xwatch safety system on a Cat® 313 GC excavator at their regional office in the West Midlands.

The landmark system, an Xwatch XW1 height limiter, was expertly fitted by Gareth James of GJ Plant, a certified Xwatch installer. This installation was part of a batch of six systems acquired by M&J to enhance operational safety.

The installation of the 4000th Xwatch safety system at M&J is more than a mere numerical achievement. It is a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to safety. This significant milestone not only reinforces M&J’s dedication to creating a safer workplace but also cements Xwatch's position as a market leader in safety solutions for onsite machinery.

“Our business thrives on creating long-term partnerships and delivering real groundwork solutions. Our commitment to industry-leading Health & Safety management is a cornerstone of our operations,” said Paul Allman Director of Plant Echoing this sentiment, Allman from M&J added, “Our people are our most valuable asset. Ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of our people and clients is our primary objective. Partnering with Xwatch significantly aids us in achieving safety on site.”

Jemma Dycer-Hopkins, Sales and Operations Manager at Xwatch, was delighted with achieving this milestone, saying, “Reaching the 4000th Xwatch system installation is a significant achievement, and we are thrilled that M&J was part of this journey. We look forward to continuing our relationship and contributing to their outstanding safety record.”

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Xwatch News

Xwatch and Flannery Plant Hire - continue to elevate standards in safety Flannery Plant Hire consistently stays ahead in the industry with its modern fleet, always introducing new and innovative developments. This commitment is ongoing, and the company has recently added another ten Cat 315 machines to its fleet.

These machines are equipped with more than just the industry standard and have been supplied by UK & Ireland Cat dealer, Finning. They have been fitted with the Xwatch XW5, which offers a total safe working envelope around the machine and operator, enabling control of the machine's height, slew, and rated capacity indication. Additionally, they include the innovative Xwatch proportional EOHC (Electric Over Hydraulic Control) system, raising the bar for industry standards.

Flannery Plant Hire has always been at the forefront of embracing new technologies, evident from their early adoption of the Xwatch system. Marking a significant achievement, the company celebrated the purchase and installation of the 1000th Xwatch system off the production line in 2022. With Xwatch's production now exceeding 4000 units, Flannery's contribution is significant, accounting for over 250 of these systems.

Chris Matthew, Head of Business Strategy at Flannery Plant Hire, strongly supports the use of the Xwatch system. He sees it as a vital component for managing height, slew, and Rated Capacity Indicator (RCI) systems. Chris appreciates Xwatch's adaptability in various excavator tasks in construction and its balance between keeping operators safe and not distracting them too much. This aligns well with Flannery’s aim to enhance safety directly and effectively.

Flannery Plant Hire focuses on incorporating technology that gives operators essential information without overwhelming them. This approach is crucial for ensuring the highest level of safety and positions the company as a leader in adopting innovative safety measures in the construction field.

A significant feature of the new fleet is the Xwatch EOHC system. This innovation marks a transition from traditional pilot hydraulic systems to more efficient electric control of the high-pressure system. The EOHC system is noted for its cost-effectiveness, enhanced efficiency in motion controls, and simplicity, reducing reliance on multiple hydraulic components and facilitating a cleaner, quicker installation process.

The choice between pilot hydraulic systems and EOHC may not be available to all customers due to the specific hydraulic designs of the machines. However, the EOHC system is gaining traction and is anticipated to become the predominant technology in the future.

Flannery Plant Hire's recent investments and their ongoing dedication to technological advancements reflect their commitment to staying ahead in the industry. By continually evolving and adopting such innovative systems, Flannery is not just enhancing operational efficiency but also prioritising operator safety, a testament to their leadership in the construction sector.

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Xwatch News

Revolutionising excavators - The proportional EOHC (Electric Over Hydraulic Control) advantage From the dusty cabins of traditional excavators, where operators juggled mechanical levers, to the contemporary cockpits equipped with cutting-edge technology, the world of hydraulic excavators has evolved substantially over the years. A significant leap in this evolution has been the introduction of the

Xwatch proportional Electric Over Hydraulic Control (EOHC) by engineers at Xwatch Safety Solutions.

Fast forward to the present, where technology and innovation intertwine to redefine operational efficiency, the Xwatch proportional EOHC emerges as a game-changer. This new system embraces the shift from pilot hydraulic systems to a more streamlined electric control of the high-pressure system, marking a significant cost and efficiency improvement for motion controls.

The introduction of the Xwatch proportional Electric Over Hydraulic Control (EOHC) marks a significant advancement, slowly gaining traction.

In the foreseeable future, EOHC is poised to become the dominant system.

EOHC is not merely a technological upgrade; it is a model shift, setting new benchmarks in the operational efficiency of hydraulic excavators. Despite its current limited adoption, with only a handful of manufacturers utilising the electric system, EOHC’s undeniable benefits herald a future where it will undoubtedly, in the not too distant future, become an industry norm (subject to design).

An example of a recent install in Ireland: The Next Generation Cat® 395 Excavator has been upgraded by Justin Harrison, a Field Services Engineer at Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd. The excavator, boasting an operating weight of 94,000 kg, has been equipped with advanced features such as 12 Xwatch proportional EOHC (Electronic Over Hydraulic Control) and XW5 Total Protection. These enhancements include Height and Slew Limitation & RCI (Rated Capacity Indicator) and motion cut on overload, ensuring optimal performance and safety.

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Xwatch News

GJ Plant & Vehicle Solutions- enhancing workspace safety with slew limitation systems on small excavators GJ Plant is all about safety on construction sites and is doing this 'one small excavator at a time'! With a fresh installation at GAP Group Limited Colchester, today, GJ Plant is demonstrating the adaptability and necessity of the Xwatch Safety Solutions System, even on machines as compact as the 1.5T excavators.

Despite their size, small excavators are powerful machines capable of causing significant damage.

Overlooking the potential risks associated with these compact powerhouses is not an option, especially in congested and busy workspaces. Installing slew limitation devices on these machines is imperative to enhance safety protocols.

The modular design of the Xwatch Safety Solutions System offers unmatched flexibility. It allows for bespoke modifications, like cutting the loom to a specific length, enabling a perfect fit even in machines with restricted space.

GJ Plant's attention to detail and innovation is evident in their pre-wiring and custom bracket designs, ensuring that installations are seamless and efficient. Such planning and design enable quicker installations, ensuring that companies like GAP can meet their clients' demands promptly without compromising on safety.

In construction, where every moment and every inch of space is crucial, the introduction of tailored safety solutions by GJ Plant signifies a big step forward in creating safer, more efficient workspaces, irrespective of the size of the machinery in use.

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For more information about the Xwatch suite of products – visit: www.xwatch.co.uk Phone: 01633 987344 Email: sales@xwatch.co.uk

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