Safety and work site noise is a hot topic right now: the FHWA is currently introducing regulations aimed at reducing work site noise levels. See the final rule, effective July 2011, at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/regulations_and_guidance/

Some issues with work site noise include the use of the bleeping backup alarms used to warn workers and pedestrians when large vehicles are reversing. But many sites have multiple vehicles using backup beepers, other machinery noises, and traffic noise from the surrounding streets competing for workers’ attention. The backup alarm blends into the confusion, and can become ineffective. Forward-thinking construction managers need to find an efficient way to lower noise—while still keeping their personnel safe.

PreView Safety Alert System (PreView SAS) combines several safety technologies to improve collision avoidance while reducing noise levels. Its object detection radar activates automatically when the vehicle is put into reverse, but instead of simply issuing a constant stream of beeps, it actively scans the surroundings for people or objects—moving or stationary—in the blind spot of the backing vehicle. Once it detects an object, it gives the driver both an audible and a visual warning in plenty of time to stop. It also sounds the backup beeper outside the vehicle so other workers and pedestrians can move out of the way.

The backup beeper for PreView SAS can be adjusted to any of these settings:

• Keep silent during backing unless the object detection radar finds an object or person in the blind spot. (Check regulations with your OSHA compliance officer before choosing this option.)
• Sound the usual backup alarm, but increase volume when an object or person is detected in the blind spot.
• Sound the backup alarm, but speed up the rate of beeps when someone is in the blind spot, giving those outside the vehicle a recognizable alarm that stands out from the normal sound.

Using PreView SAS helps construction site managers make collision avoidance and on-site safety their top priority—and makes the noise of construction less of a problem for everyone around. Visit PreViewRadar.com to see specs on our object detection radar products and watch a short video on PreView SAS.