SAFE LOADING
As well as boosting
safety, user-friendly
equipment also results
in a significant reduction in
downtime. “A lot of failures
occur as a result of operators
trying to use equipment in a
way that it wasn't designed
for,” says Boot.
Although most technical
installations are initially
designed by engineers,
operators are involved during
the commissioning of loading
arms projects. “The
difference in view between
the operators and designers
will be very clear, but also
very late at this stage,” says
Boot.
The answer, he says, is to
turn around the development
process so that operators'
needs and views are taken
into account as much as
possible during the design
stage.
“Projects aiming to
increase the overall
efficiency of operations by
automating should take this
approach as a base, not only
for the overall control
software, but also for the
mechanical equipment
involved, such as safety
access and loading arms,”
says Boot.
Because safety and
operational convenience go
together, loading equipment
should be ergonomically
designed, and preferably
manageable by one person -
preferably by the truck driver
on truck tankers, he adds.
Folding stairs combined with
safety cages are a safe and
convenient way for accessing
trucks and rail tankers for top
loading, taking product
samples or other tasks.
“In the case of top loading
and unloading, it is absolutely
essential that an optimal
combination of loading arms
and access facilities is
designed to achieve a safe
and convenient loading
configuration for each specific
situation,” says Boot.
Kanon has over 20 years
experience in the design and
manufacture of marine, rail
and road liquid transfer and
safety systems. This includes
a complete range of loading
arms and CE-certified and
ATEX compliant folding stairs
for all widths up to 4 meters,
optionally executed with a
safety cage, always fully
spring-balanced. Safety
cages are available in large
sizes, for access to all
manholes of a truck tanker
within one cage.
Operation is manual as
standard. For folding stairs
equipped with a safety cage
or with larger widths,
pneumatic or hydropneumatic
operation is
optionally available.
