Safety must be given even higher priority by all players!

Unfortunately, the reality is different. In 2020, another 30 people died in the workplace in Sweden. So the zero vision is far from being achieved. The courage to invest in new technology and to set higher standards for each other is, in my opinion, the key to a safer workplace. That also leads to higher profitability and efficiency.

I hoped that 2020 would be the year when strong measures were taken to reduce accidents on construction sites. Unfortunately, this did not happen. 2020 will of course be remembered by all as the year the world was crippled by Covid-19. But this should not stand in the way of improving safety.

Time pressure, lost focus, inexperienced personnel or constantly changing between different excavators and attachments are common causes of accidents. This is where technology can provide a solution.

Engcon develops smart solutions that avoid incorrect operation and prevent accidents. It simply should not be possible to get it wrong!

Solutions that ensure everyone gets home safely at the end of the workday must become the standard in our industry. We need to raise safety awareness about workplaces because accidents are a serious and unnecessary problem within our industry.

Engcon has developed the safest quick coupler system available on the market. A system that warns with both sound and light signals as soon as a piece of equipment is incorrectly coupled. The operator must first place the attachment completely on the ground before it can be disconnected.

Engcon also offers a standardized locking panel that allows the operator to always perform the locking of attachments in the same way, regardless of the type of excavator. After all, it is a strange fact that even excavators of the same brand have different solutions for important functions. This can be compared to cars where the gas and brake pedals are in different places, depending on the model.

Since 2013, I have insisted that the industry should agree on a common zero vision. My colleagues suggested a global safety initiative "Dig Smart. Dig Safe" to create a debate on the application of thoughtful technology to prevent accidents. At first, this initiative seemed unnecessary to me, but since not enough has been accomplished in 7 years, I realize we need to continue the debate. The goal of the initiative is to achieve an industry-recognized zero vision in terms of numbers of workplace accidents. This evidently takes time.

Engcon cannot change the industry on its own. Other manufacturers must also develop safer products. Major players must include higher safety requirements in their tenders. And entrepreneurs must invest in safe products.

If this is still not enough, provisions set by the government contribute. Ultimately, however, it must be a joint effort by all parties involved. I am convinced of this. Together we can do this!