LOXAM, the N°1 in equipment rental and the transport specialist GUISNEL innovate together for the safety of machinery delivery drivers
With the satisfaction of having recently been awarded ISO 45001 occupational health & safety certification, the LOXAM Group has launched the renewal of its truck fleet with a brand new configuration of delivery trucks, designed by the transport company GUISNEL and its partners. This vehicle is equipped with an innovative retractable gangway system and is secured by a guardrail. It allows drivers to move safely along the machinery onboard and significantly reduces the risk of the workers falling from the deck. In response to a request from LOXAM and in keeping with its pioneering spirit, GUISNEL was the first company to develop this device using two prototype trucks. The device was validated a few months ago at the carrier’s head office in Dol-de-Bretagne, in the presence of members of LOXAM’s health and safety committee and Technical Department. The first trucks with this device fitted as standard were delivered on 15 May 2020 and 150 others will subsequently be joining the LOXAM truck fleet.
IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF DELIVERY DRIVERS
Having started more than a year ago from the observation that falls were one of the main causes of accidents among HGV drivers, LOXAM approached the Brittany-based road transport expert GUISNEL to conduct studies into new fixtures that would help reduce these falls. To this end, the Breton family business developed several systems with its partners. LOXAM selected a hydraulic solution that is simpler and quicker for drivers to use.
“Sharing the same commitment to accident prevention and safety as LOXAM, we were honoured to be asked by its Technical Department to contribute to this project. We were especially keen to come up with a system that goes beyond current safety standards in the HGV sector. Our Technical Director, Thierry DELANOE, who is a big enthusiast of new technology for safety, was particularly interested in this job and did not hesitate to go out into the field to better understand the finer specificities of this project. He is extremely pleased to see these innovations finally come to fruition”, adds Yann GUISNEL, Chairman of the GUISNEL Group.
WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED DEVICE COMBINING RETRACTABLE GANGWAY AND GUARDRAIL
“Thanks to this new retractable walkway installed along the truck decks, drivers will have an extra 30cm in width to move around when loading or unloading. This is a truly remarkable innovation that we are delighted to be the first to offer in France,” says Thierry Lahuppe, Technical Director of the LOXAM Group. “With this system fitted to trucks, HGV drivers will now be able to manoeuvre equipment in complete safety during deliveries.”
This new mobile device consists of a retractable extension with guardrail, operated by hydraulic cylinders. This extension runs along the entire length of the platform on the passenger (right) side. This is because almost all bulky machines are loaded in reverse and their control panels are situated on the left side of the vehicle. At the same time, the harnessing points were redesigned to increase their density and also to optimise the working width of the platform, raising it from 2.42m to the maximum authorised width of 2.53m. On the driver’s side, a manual retractable ladder has been maintained for access to the front of the platform.
In parallel, other innovations and improvements have been made for the safety of drivers such as:
- an approach radar on the platform apron, activated when loading materials,
- multiple flashing lights all around the truck for visibility during operation,
- a redesigned kinematics and ramp structure,
- if present, an automatically folding auxiliary crane.
About LOXAM
N° 1 in Europe and n° 3 worldwide, LOXAM is the market leader for the rental of equipment and tools for building and public works, industry, landscaping and services. With revenue of €2.3 billion in 2019, 1,100 branches and 11,000 employees, the LOXAM Group is established in 30 countries in Europe and has the largest machine fleet on the market, with more than 650,000 items of equipment to anticipate, support and fulfil growing demand from companies that wish to outsource the procurement, management and maintenance of their equipment.
Press contact:
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Chrystel Libert – +33 6 52 49 31 30 – clibert@supr-agency.com
