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Anemometers

  • Posted by Shaun Colley on 23 November 2021 at 7:54 am

    Hi All,

    Which anemometer are you using to measure windspeed in an MEWP?

    Any particular model or supplier that you use?

    Who does your calibration etc?

    Do you have any specified cutoff for windspeed?

    Any information appreciated ๐Ÿ™‚

    Shaun Colley replied 3 years, 2 months ago 3 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • Graeme Johnson

    Member
    23 November 2021 at 8:32 am

    Shaun

    We used some that were available from Dick Smith Electronics (when they were operational in NZ) Burnsco or Jaycar offer similar models

    https://www.burnsco.co.nz/wind-meter-digital-with-temp-burnsco?gclid=CjwKCAiAnO2MBhApEiwA8q0HYUubuXxm8eUbeMKo0a4QeonDbffm5mkZ81jt84zAea30AboaZXqOPRoCJ_gQAvD_BwE.

    Didnt get them calibrated as they’re used as an indicator only.

    We applied the manufactures limitations for use with MEWP which from memory was 12m/s, below an extract from our MEWP Operations manual

    # Take a reading at ground level and if the reading exceeds 12.5 m/s or is more than 10 m/s over a 5 minute period, then follow the guide below.

    # If readings are below the stated values indicated in the table above, then assign an operator in full PPE to extend the MEWP to the working height.

    # Take the readings at working height.

    ยท Note the reading on the tailgate and the time taken.

    • Shaun Colley

      Member
      23 November 2021 at 1:34 pm

      Thanks Graeme,

      Looks similar to what we are looking at from a procedure perspective.

      I guess there are 101 different options for the meter themselves.

  • Bill Doig

    Member
    23 November 2021 at 9:37 am

    Manufacturers design wind speed is based on EN 280:2001 +A2. The rated wind speed is 12.5 metres/sec. Altec and Versalift did say they have lifts that are capable of more than that but there isn’t any change in their design. We had anemometers listed as a control in our risk register. When going into the field to verify the controls, general consensus from field operators was they didn’t use them. (From couldn’t find them to flat batteries.) One Filipino was quite succinct – 12.5 metres/second is white caps on the sea. We wouldn’t go up in anything near that

    • Shaun Colley

      Member
      23 November 2021 at 1:38 pm

      Thanks Bill,

      Yes the issue I guess is that we say we won’t go up in that either but no one has a way of measuring it.

      We take our teams through refresher training and say “don’t go up if it’s …” but then don’t give them anything to measure the … with.

      As for flat batteries etc we would include this in our prestart anyway so that should be a nonissue ?And rely on a bit of trust and hope staff don’t do a?

      • Bill Doig

        Member
        24 November 2021 at 6:28 am

        When you provide them, go out and verify. Odds on, no one will use them, just saying. Office has a different view to field reality

        • Shaun Colley

          Member
          24 November 2021 at 7:08 am

          We have a bit of faith in our teams to do the right thing, we also know no matter what we put in place there will always be those who “never used to have these when I was young”…?

          We have spot site visits and audits also, not to catch people out like some people think, but to make sure what we actually develop in the office works in the field. It is a slow process but we are quietly getting there.

          We can also have a hold point on our digitized Risk Mentor risk assessment that means staff must input a reading/photo before they can continue, so they can make it up if they want but why would you for the sake of 1 minute.

          There are also those who will use it everywhere they go so they don’t have to work…?

          You can’t win so we just try to cater to the majority not the minority, they will get sorted in time one way or another ?

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