19.03.2010

Balfour Beatty recommends Nifty SIOPS

Balfour Beatty the UK based international major contractor has recommended Nifty lift’s SIOPS safety cut out system and tough cage as industry best practice..

“In a best practice bulleting to all of its site, the company says: Nifty’s Involuntary
Operation Prevention System (SiOPS) is the next generation in MEWP operator safety equipment and represents BEST PRACTICE in Balfour Beatty as, at present, no other manufacturer offers this level of operator protection against sustained involuntary operation.”
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A Nifty lift control console with SiOPS

SIOPS is a built in load sensor on the control panel, if the operator is pressed against the controls due to hitting an overhead beam or other obstacle the control panel senses the pressure and cuts boom and drive functions before the pressure reaches life threatening levels. An override button allow the operator to extract himself from position by lowering the boom etc..
Click here to see Nifty launches SIOPS
Balfour Beatty has been at the forefront in finding a solution for the problem of Sustained Inadvertent Operation following an fatal accident on one of its sites several years ago. At one point it appeared to be demanding that any aerial lifts working on its sites be fitted with trip wires.

The bulletin also notes that Nifty’s new Hybrid machine offers environmental benefits, something that the company is also increasingly focussing on


The full text of the bulletin is as follows:-

Advanced Safety & Environmental Standards on
Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)
“Safety development gives operators a vital second chance…”

The facts

• Operator entrapment is an important issue in the powered access industry; there are many possible causes.

• Sustained involuntary operation is a contributing factor in the severity of accidents.

• Improving operator safety requires effort from all stakeholders. The design and configuration of MEWP controls are only part of the picture. Site ‘risk assessment’, training, equipment selection & addressing operator complacency can all lead to the mitigation of serious accidents.

• Manufacturer Nifty is committed to improving operator safety in MEWPs. Their Sustained Involuntary Operation Prevention System (SiOPS) is the next generation in MEWP operator safety equipment.

• This represents BEST PRACTICE in Balfour Beatty as, at present, no other manufacturer offers this level of operator protection against sustained involuntary operation.

What is it?

Nifty gives the operator a vital ‘SECOND CHANCE’

• Shrouded load sensing console, cuts-off drive and boom functions if
overloaded by operator contact.

• When triggered it stops all machine movement.

• However, safe override of controls is possible from cage, allowing
operators to reverse controls and release themselves.

• System is effectively integrated within control panel to prevent operator
misuse.

• Reliable spring actuation - gives compliance on contact.

• Optimal design – mitigates nuisance tripping.

• System logic is complex, taking into account human behaviour under high
stress, and is fully TUV certified.

In addition, Nifty have also developed a new ‘Toughcage’ with rear collision
protection. Recent Nifty MEWPS are hybrid diesel / electric powered, greatly reducing carbon emissions and noise levels compared with standard MEWPS of equal lift/reach. A combined catalytic converter / particulate filter on the prime mover can effectively reduce carbon emissions to zero.

What next?

SIOPS is standard fitment on the larger machines in Nifty’s range. We
would need to work together with our supply chain and Nifty to meet the
needs of OpCo’s where such machines are requested on site.