Inspect interchangeable attachments separately!

With the AMTeK system, Aboma offers companies a tool for fulfilling their statutory inspection obligation and for demonstrating the expertise of their inspectors. More and more GWW companies have embraced the inspection system and use the module for the separate inspection of interchangeable equipment. And there is good reason for this.

As broadly as Aboma inspects, so broadly is the AMTeK system deployed. "With the interchangeable equipment module, companies are even more flexible," says Gerben van der Weide, AMTeK coordinator at Aboma. Interchangeable attachments are part of a piece of work equipment, which means they must be inspected annually to ensure their demonstrable safe use. "An item of equipment is used today on one machine and tomorrow on another. When equipment is exchanged with another machine, this piece of equipment does not have its (own) inspection report. We therefore recommend that a separate inspection report be made for each piece of equipment. With the interchangeable equipment module, AMTeK inspectors no longer need to add ten or more pieces of equipment to a construction machine's report."

Online portal

When you inspect interchangeable equipment separately, you can see at a glance that it has been inspected by its own inspection mark and report, says Jan de Backer, inspector and inspection supervisor at Aboma. "The status of the individual pieces of equipment can be queried in the AMTeK portal. There is a separate digital report for each piece of equipment, which also specifies which construction machines it may be coupled to, so that machine and attachment are in agreement. Through the inspection mark on the attachment you can find out the period of validity of the inspection. This type of inspection makes companies more flexible. Especially with equipment, where usually a lot of attachments are changed, it is much more efficient. By the way, also for the operator who is expected to carry the certificate and inspection report of the particular machine and the interchangeable piece of equipment being worked with that day."

The gentlemen do note that a critical eye when hitching an attachment remains essential. "The operator should do an LMRA prior to working," says De Backer. "Part of that is a check that the machine and the interchangeable piece of equipment being used are compatible. Manufacturer's manuals often help. A valid inspection mark does not automatically mean that a construction machine and piece of equipment may be used together." So stay critical and alert. That way you work more safely and prevent accidents.