Editorial: ISO 5006 ISO 5006 Standard for Earthmoving Equipment- Operators Visibility

Published Tuesday 7 Sep, 2010 by Peter Woodford

LSM Technologies are involved in assisting industry to mitigate fatalities, injuries and high potential incidents associated with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-person (V2P) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) interactions.

LSM Technologies are involved in assisting industry to mitigate fatalities, injuries and high potential incidents associated with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-person (V2P) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) interactions.

Orlaco range of CCTV viewing solutions are in accordance with the ISO 5006/16001 Standards for Operator Visibility, which became a “recommended” (or mandatory) Standard in November 2008.

It is acknowledged worldwide that approximately 80%- 90% of fatalities, injuries and HPIs involving V2V, V2P and V2I interactions are a result of or are a significant contributor of restricted operator visibility around vehicles and equipment.

These “blind spots” occur predominantly:

  • At speeds of 0-10 kilometres/hour
  • In situations of close proximity to another vehicle or structure
  • When vehicles are reversing and where Operators do not have vision.

The following editorial was published in the Australian Mining Monthly (May 2010) and provides discussion about the challenges in achieving ALARA  / Zero Harm in Industry (V2V, V2P, V2I interactions)- which are far unsurmountable- both technically and commercially.

The editorial considers:

  • Risk Analysis: Complete a thorough RA for your equipment and operations and determine technology and non- technology mitigation.
  • Defence #1: Implement ISO 5006 Operator Visibility to mitigate more that 80- 90% of Fatalities, Injuries and HPI's associated with V2V, V2P and V2I interactions.
  • Defence #2: Hazard Detection Devices- augment Defence #1 where applicable.
  • Defence #3: Implement- but consider the relationship to Safety and primarily objectives for such technologies.
  • Defence #4: Implement unconditionally- some options that will cost less and be as (or m ore) effective then technology.
  • Quality / Performance: Ensure supplier conforms to ISO 16001, equipment is fit- for purpose" and your "park- up" policy is in place.
  • Recording Data / Video: Consider the need for collecting / storage of data and video images- one will need to validate an incident- if it still occurs.
  • Company Value: Not only is there a responsibility / accountability to the worker but also to the investors, in not only maximise productivity, lower costs but also the well- being of the Safety and Health of people in all industries and workplaces.

There is also still much more to consider (Integration of various systems /  devices, transfer of technology between equipment / sites (eg Contractors), redundancy, reliability, training, etc).

The additional discussion paper below- "I see Clearly Now" is the original text which also contains hyperlinks to International Standards and other handy references.

For more information, contact us at LSM Technologies via email or contact us