Discussing the Safety Advantages of Infrared Remote Control with Wacker Neuson
Safety on the jobsite is more than a trend. It is a reality protecting your operators, protecting your jobsite and protecting your business. Manufacturers work hard to ensure their machine designs offer the most advanced safety features. That’s why Wacker Neuson developed the exclusive infrared remote control system, engineered for compact units such as the RT 56 and RT 82 universal rollers and the DPU 7060 and DPU 130 vibration plates. This patented and jobsite proven system offers huge advantages because the operator is required to maintain visual contact with the unit in order to control it. Requiring the operator to be visually alert to what is going on around the equipment significantly reduces the risk of anyone getting inadvertently injured. This line-of-sight control combined with a built-in safety zone that stops the machine should the operator come within about 6 ft of the machine makes Wacker Neuson’s remote control system an impressive risk management package.
When comparing infrared controls to radio controls, contractors will find there is a difference when it comes to jobsite safety. Machines that use a radio control allow the operator to control the machine even if they cannot see it. This is a big safety risk on jobsites because the operator could unknowingly move the machine behind a structure or other obstruction and put another worker in danger. Because they do not use a line-of-sight concept, the machine will also keep moving if the operator is distracted and turns away from the machine, putting him and other workers in harm’s way.
Because infrared controls do not rely on radio frequency, the risk of interference with other equipment is minimized. Wacker Neuson’s 16-channel transmission allows multiple rollers to be operated on the same jobsite without the threat or interference with one another. The infrared system is not subject to radio interference from other jobsite systems such as cranes, boom pumps and other radio control equipment. Infrared remote controls are accepted on more jobsites. There is no conflict with regulations for construction sites near airports or other sites that may be sensitive to radio-control equipment causing transmission conflicts.
The concept of safety is growing beyond the traditional concept of protecting the operator from injury causing accidents. It is expanding into overall jobsite safety, protecting everyone working on the jobsite, not just the operator. Savvy contractors know that safety will enhance productivity, and for that reason they prefer to buy equipment that offers comprehensive operator and jobsite safety. Wacker Neuson’s infrared remote control was designed with safety and productivity in mind and is used on jobsites around the world.
