Operc News and Events Archive
Welcome to OPERC's news and events archive. A history of developments in mechanical engineering technology, operator training, innovative research, new legislation and member activities. You can also see features about past OPERC meetings. To view further information, simply click on any of the hyperlinks listed below.
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22/09/2008
GAP Group Hits A Century With Kubota 8-Tonners
The GAP Group has bought its 100th Kubota KX080-3 mini excavator for its rapidly expanding plant hire fleet.
22/09/2008
Hill Newsletter Focuses On Excavator Attachments
Hill Engineering Ltd together with a range of top quality buckets, has published the first issue of Attachments Focus, a newsletter about the company’s specialisation in the excavator attachments sector.
19/09/2008
Hill Sign Auto-Loc Quick Hitch Deal With USA Distributor
Hill Engineering Ltd signed an agreement to supply its unique 'Safety First' Auto-Loc excavator quick hitch to Woods Equipment Company.
18/09/2008
DEUTZ Launch Groundbreaking Engine Telematics Monitoring & Diagnostics System
DEUTZ has unveiled a new telematics system for the remote monitoring of engines and fleet management - the first from an industrial engine manufacturer.
17/09/2008
Double Success For Kubota 'ANTI-THEFT' System
Premier Plant Hire is a huge fan of Kubota's unique key-based 'ANTI-THEFT' security system after it helped prevent the theft of two of its mini excavators.
16/09/2008
Genset Engines Generate Sales Rise For DEUTZ
Diesel engines from leading manufacturer DEUTZ are increasingly being specified by generating set manufacturers.
15/09/2008
Loads More Handling Solutions In New Thorworld Catalogue
Loading and unloading equipment specialists, Thorworld Industries Ltd has published its new 2008/9 product range catalogue.
15/09/2008
Why More People Choose Kubota Than Any Other Mini Excavators
A useful 'Investment Information Pack' has been put together by Kubota to highlight the benefits of buying or hiring its market leading mini excavators.
14/09/2008
New Kubota 3.3 Tonne Zero Tail Swing Mini Excavator
Kubota, the UK, European and world leader in mini excavators, has introduced a new 3.3 tonne zero tail swing machine in the UK and Ireland.
13/09/2008
Second time around for Ceannacroc Estates
Ceannacroc Estates, located to the north west of Fort Augustus in the Highlands of Scotland, has just taken delivery of a Volvo ECR88 Plus reduced swing compact excavator for its road building and maintenance programme.
10/09/2008
"Volvo minis tick every box for us..."
So says Dave Hazell, Operations Director for Blythewood Plant Hire Ltd as the Company replaces a total of 30 compact excavators for its hire fleet.
08/09/2008
New venture – New Volvos
Les Taylor Contractors Ltd, situated at Mintlaw, near Peterhead Aberdeenshire, has expanded its quarrying and contracting interests by moving into waste recycling with the addition of new C series Volvo excavators.
05/09/2008
Thorworld Ramps Up Its Mobile Yard Ramps Range
Loading and unloading equipment specialist Thorworld Industries has revamped its market leading mobile yard ramps range in order to fully meet differing customer requirements.
04/09/2008
New Thorworld Website Provides Loads More Handling Solutions Online
The all-new website for Thorworld Industries, a leading manufacturer and supplier of loading and unloading equipment, has now gone live at www.thorworld.co.uk
02/09/2008
Beech Takes The Driving Seat At Deutz Uk
DEUTZ AG – UK Branch, which provides sales, service and product support for the German produced range of diesel and gas engines, has appointed Alan Beech as its new Operations Director – UK and Ireland.
26/08/2008
Volvo EC290C deep cleans for ERS
Environmental Reclamation Services Ltd (ERS) of Bishopbriggs, Glasgow has taken delivery of a new Volvo EC290C for its bespoke ground remediation contracts throughout Scotland and the north of England.
26/08/2008
Petersfield company fined £10,500 for health and safety breaches
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging companies to assess the risks to their employees from exposure to vibration, after a Hampshire company was fined £10,500 for ignoring the safety of a worker.
18/08/2008
More Volvos for Tom Prichard Contracting
Tom Prichard Contracting Ltd of Llantrisant, South Wales has taken a further selection of Volvo Construction Equipment products for its plant fleet.
11/08/2008
The key to any successful business is service...
Kayleigh Plant Hire, of Tottenham North London, takes delivery of fourteen Volvo compact excavators and one fourteen tonne EC140C crawler excavator from Volvo Construction Equipment.
04/08/2008
First Volvo EC140C's go to Gracelands Ltd
Gracelands Ltd of Highbridge near Eastleigh, one of the largest groundworks contractors on the south coast of England, has taken delivery of the first Volvo EC140CL's to arrive in Great Britain.
04/08/2008
GBM Demolition buys from Volvo
Providing an efficient backup and service has prompted GBM Demolition of Louth, Lincolnshire to order two more excavators for its fleet of demolition equipment from Volvo Construction Equipment.
28/07/2008
Triple Success For A-Plant At The Uk’s Number One Business Awards
In a remarkable run of success, leading hire company A-Plant has scooped the CMI Customer Focus Award for the third year running at the UK’s ‘Business Oscars’.
22/07/2008
Liebherr-Rental Aims at Forestry and Biomass Production
Liebherr-Rental Aims at Forestry and Biomass Production with New Specialist Excavator Attachment
22/07/2008
Doug Sprout takes the helm at Hewden
Doug Sprout, Finance Director of Finning Group (UK) will take over the lead management responsibility for Hewden Stuart Plc with immediate effect.
22/07/2008
Wheeled Loader in Composting Application
Custom Compost recently added a new Liebherr L 5502plus2 articulated wheeled loading shovel to its fleet of materials handlers.
22/07/2008
JCB Excavators Retrieve Wreckage From Swansea Sea-Bed
Two JCB tracked excavators working on the sea bed at Swansea Docks – retrieving the remains of a dilapidated vessel on behalf of specialist demolition and waste contractor, Stenor Environmental.
22/07/2008
Durability and good service prompts repeat business
Having experienced a high level of performance and after market support, Veolia Environmental Services in Birmingham has taken delivery of the first of six replacement Volvo L90F loading shovels for its waste transfer stations located around Birmingham.
15/07/2008
A.G. Plant Hire adds A25E’s to its fleet
A.G. Plant Hire Ltd of Cellarhead, Stoke on Trent has added two new Volvo A25E articulated haulers to its fleet.
15/07/2008
2nd time around for Andrew Williamson
Having originally taken delivery of the very first BL71 sold in Scotland back in 2003, Andrew Williamson Contractors has purchased a replacement machine for their contracting business.
15/07/2008
Volvo ticks all the boxes for Wooldridge Demolition
So says Director Nick Anderson as he takes delivery of a further two EC210C and two EC290C excavators with demolition specification for Wooldridge’s fleet of sixteen predominantly Volvo branded machines.
15/07/2008
SM Plant Sales Ltd extends its territory
SM Plant Sales Ltd, Volvo Construction Equipment Limited’s compact equipment dealer has expanded its sales territory to include Leicestershire and Northamptonshire with immediate effect.
19/06/2008
A-Plant wins prestigious Gold Award from RoSPA
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has presented leading hire company, A-Plant with the prestigious RoSPA Gold Award for Occupational Health and Safety.
17/06/2008
Good reliability and performance leads to more orders
Stockport based M T Kaill (Plant Hire) Ltd has taken delivery of twenty two Volvo compact excavators as part of a package including rollers and site dumpers from Volvo dealer - PPS Construction Plant Sales Ltd.
17/06/2008
Volvo L70F is ‘clean and green’
WJ & AJW Ryman of Wall near Lichfield, Staffs has opted for a Volvo L70F for its green composting division and continues a long association with Volvo that’s lasted for over twenty five years.
06/06/2008
A-Plant Opens New Customer & Technical Training Centre
A-Plant has opened a new National Customer & Technical Training Centre in Nottingham.
03/06/2008
Bardon Contracting selects five more ABG pavers
Bardon Contracting, the contracting division of Aggregate Industries UK Ltd and one of the largest road paving companies in the U.K. has opted for five more ABG 6870 wheeled pavers as part of its annual fleet replacement programme.
27/05/2008
New C series Volvos for Embassy Demolition
Embassy Demolition Ltd of Edmonton north London has taken on a new lease of life with the delivery of new C series Volvo excavators for its fleet.
27/05/2008
A-Plant Does The Double At Top Hire Industry Event
A-Plant celebrated a double awards success at Hire Association Europe’s (HAE) Hire Awards of Excellence 2008 in recognition of the great strides forward the company has made over the past 12 months in relation to Health and Safety and Training.
27/05/2008
EC25’s hit the mark at Target Plant & Sales
Colchester based Target Plant & Sales Ltd has taken a first time delivery of ten EC25 compact excavators from Volvo Construction Equipment Ltd for its expanding hire fleet.
22/05/2008
Job Vacancy at Shepherd Construction
Shepherd Construction Ltd are looking for a Company Health and Safety Advisor to cover the North West region, to provide safety support and advice to sites.
17/05/2008
JCB Donates $600,000 Worth Of Diggers To Aid Chinese Quake Region
JCB, the world’s third largest manufacturer of construction equipment, is donating a fleet of diggers worth $600,000 and sending a team of drivers to help with relief efforts in the south west region of China devastated by an earthquake.
12/05/2008
“We’re offering our customers a quality brand”...
So says Andy Bunton, Co-Director of R Bunton Plant Hire Ltd, Harecroft near Bradford as he takes delivery of a further ten Volvo excavators for his plant hire and contracting fleet.
02/05/2008
More Volvos for J O'Doherty Haulage
J O’Doherty haulage Ltd of Edmonton north London increases its plant fleet with more Volvo Construction Equipment products.
29/04/2008
A-Plant helps customers reduce their carbon footprints
To meet increasing demand from customers looking to reduce their carbon footprints, A-Plant is now offering for hire a fleet of new Eco Accommodation Units from Thurston Building Systems worth over £500,000.
25/04/2008
First Volvo shovel for Stonegrave Aggregates
Stonegrave Aggregates Ltd, a division of the John Wade Group of companies has taken delivery of its first Volvo L150F loading shovel for rehandling duties at its Aycliffe Quarry located near Darlington Co. Durham.
25/04/2008
A-Plant Announces £30 million+ investment in hire fleet
A-Plant, one of the leading plant and tool hire companies in the UK, has placed orders for new equipment for the company’s hire fleet worth over £30 million.
25/04/2008
World Beating Backhoe and Customer Support Businesses Honoured
Two JCB companies - one manufacturing the world’s best-selling backhoe loader and the other providing aftermarket support to global customers – are today honoured with Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
21/04/2008
Two, two-piece ducks for Seymour
Seymour Civil Engineering Ltd has broken with a long standing tradition and taken delivery of two Volvo EW180C rubber ducks for its plant fleet.
15/04/2008
Drayson-Barwell Announces Technology Partnership With JCB
Partnership aims to develop cutting-edge energy-saving technologies Drayson-Barwell to contest 2008 ALMS with JCB sponsorship
15/04/2008
Kubota UK Mini Sales Top 30,000
World leading mini excavator manufacturer Kubota has achieved a major milestone, with UK sales of their machines now having topped 30,000; becoming the first manufacturer to do so in the British market.
15/04/2008
New Innovations From DEUTZ At SED 2008
Leading diesel and gas engines manufacturer DEUTZ will be showing their new D2011 L4 Hybrid Drive - a pioneering hybrid power unit for construction equipment - for the first time in the UK
15/04/2008
Clear Focus Sees DEUTZ Engines Drive Ahead
DEUTZ, one of the world's leading independent diesel and gas engine manufacturers, has enjoyed a period of consistent growth over the past 12 months.
15/04/2008
Kubota Puts On A Big Show At Rockingham Castle
Kubota Live! At Rockingham Castle, 13th, 14th, 15th May 2008, 8.00am to 6.30pm, will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to put a range of world leading Kubota machines through their paces.
11/04/2008
Clements puts Volvo minis to the test
Coventry based Clements Plant and Tool Hire Ltd has taken delivery of its first Volvo compact excavators and rekindles an old association when they helped pioneer the Midlands mini excavator revolution.
08/04/2008
Falls from height shatter lives says HSE following prosecution
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is highlighting how falls from
height can shatter lives after an incident in Norwich lead to a
company being prosecuted.
07/04/2008
1st Volvo excavator for Thompson’s of Prudhoe
Thompson’s of Prudhoe, Northumberland has purchased its first Volvo excavator which takes charge of prime extraction duties at the company’s Bishop Middleham Quarry located in Co. Durham
07/04/2008
SED 2008 - Preview
Security A Key Feature As A-Plant Shows Wide Range Of New Products At SED 2008
07/04/2008
Safety & Health Expo 2008
At Safety and Health Expo 2008, A-Plant is showcasing a series of new initiatives and products aimed at improving health and safety within the hire industry.
31/03/2008
A-Plant Preview Release for ScotPlant Exhibition
Demonstrating the company’s comprehensive service covering all parts of the Scottish market, A-Plant will have a strong presence at the ScotPlant 2008 Exhibition.
31/03/2008
Volvos – recycled at Wastecycle
Celebrating ten years of trading, Wastecycle has made a substantial £2m investment at its two licensed facilities at Colwick on the outskirts of Nottingham.
31/03/2008
AH Plant Hire invest with Volvo
Situated just off the busy A55 at Alltami near Mold, AH Plant Hire completes a phase of significant investment with the addition of seventeen Volvo compact excavators.
18/03/2008
Shepherd Construction Job Vacancy
Shepherd Construction Job Vacancy - Quality & Environmental Advisor based in Manchester/York
17/03/2008
A bespoke Volvo for CEMEX
Part of a procurement package of some forty Volvo loading shovels and excavators by CEMEX UK, during 2007 included a thirty six tonne EC360CL for its sand and gravel operations at their Attenborough Quarry, Beeston, near Nottingham.
11/03/2008
First Volvo liveried rollers go to CRH
Cotswold Roller Hire Ltd has bagged the first available SD122DX soil compactors in the new Volvo livery to be delivered in Great Britain, for its self propelled roller fleet.
11/03/2008
A-Plant Announces Shattered Lives Campaign
The A-Plant ‘Be Safe, Be Competent, Choose A-Plant’ campaign promotes the importance of competency when working at height.
03/03/2008
Dig yourself out of a hole
So says David Enstone as he takes delivery of another Volvo EC25 compact excavator from SM Plant Sales Ltd.
01/03/2008
Bigger Is Not Always Better!!
Dewalts New 18 Volt Nano Technology Definitely Punches Above its Weight!!
28/02/2008
SPEED. ACCURACY.SYSTEM
DeWALT – a leading manufacturer of industrial power tools, launch an extensive range of plunge saws, tracks and attachments to the market.
26/02/2008
Raymond Brown Group rings in the New!
The Ringwood based Raymond Brown Group has kicked off the New Year with the delivery of five Volvo A25E articulated haulers.
22/02/2008
Scanlaser Open Days
Scanlaser offers a complete end-to-end service through consultation, specification, evaluation, installation and training with dedicated after sales support.
21/02/2008
OPERC Spring Conference 2008
The 2008 OPERC Spring Conference will be held at the HSE offices at Rosecourt, London on Wednesday 27th February 2008.
19/02/2008
ECA Toolfast enhances its profile with Volvo
Coventry based ECA Toolfast has taken delivery of its first Volvo EC15BXR compact excavator with a further two units on order as it expands its equipment portfolio.
13/02/2008
A-Plant lights up York Minster
A-Plant Power Allows Public To Light Up York Minster In Fantastic Interactive Light Show.
13/02/2008
IOSH Managing Safely
C & G Services (Europe) Ltd are delighted to announce the following addition to our training portfolio: IOSH Managing Safely
12/02/2008
Machines - Delivered with a Silver lining
The Tudor Griffiths Group based in Ellesmere, Shropshire has added another piece of Volvo Construction Equipment to its fleet for its many faceted business operations at Wood Lane Quarry.
11/02/2008
May 13-15 : SED 2008
May 13-15: SED 2008
Rockingham Motor Speedway, Corby, Northants.
11/02/2008
April 25-26 : SCOTPLANT PLANT EXHIBITION
April 25-26: SCOTPLANT PLANT EXHIBITION
The Royal Highland Cent Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh EH28 8NF.
11/02/2008
March 11-15 : CONNEXPO-CON/AGG 2008
March 11-15: CONNEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
05/02/2008
Don’t Procrastinate, Attenuate!
Castle Group Limited has developed a Sound Level Meter that incorporates advanced software to provide in-built hearing protection data as defined in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
05/02/2008
HSS Hire Ireland Becomes Country's Biggest Kubota Hirer
HSS Hire Ireland has taken delivery of 23 Kubota mini excavators, making them the largest hirer of the market-leading machines in Ireland, with a total Kubota fleet of 48.
05/02/2008
Trelawny To Launch a New Grinder Range at the Executive Hire Show
Trelawny SPT Limited, will be launching a new range of the latest floor grinding machines and diamond systems at the forthcoming 2008 Executive Hire Show.
04/02/2008
Volvo introduces a new top coat
The eagerly awaited unveiling of the ABG range of pavers in the new Volvo livery has co-incided with the delivery of the 6870 wheeled model to Derek Lewis (Plant Hire) Ltd.
28/01/2008
ECR88 grabs Weaver Demolition’s attention
A superior build quality and strength of equipment were the deciding factors in purchasing the Volvo ECR88 Plus according to Mike Weaver, Managing Director of Weaver Demolition Ltd.
23/01/2008
A-Plant wins Wates Contract
A-Plant Wins Company’s Biggest Ever Plant And Tool Hire Contract From The Wates Group
23/01/2008
Farewell my Friends and Colleagues
After a decade presiding over the plant desk at Construction News, Andrew Gaved has taken the big decision to step up and away to take up the Editor's position at RAC on February 18.
23/01/2008
Volvo BL61 – a 1st for W & G Owen
Breaking with tradition, W & G Owen of Criccieth North Wales has opted for a Volvo BL61 Plus for its farming and leisure activities.
23/01/2008
New Health & Safety Appointment at A-Plant
A-Plant, one of the largest non-operated equipment rental companies in the UK, has appointed Douglas McLuckie as the company’s new Director of Environment, Health and Safety and Performance Standards.
23/01/2008
CN Plant 2008
Construction News’ Plant conference is now in its fifth year, and is established as the leading forum for the plant industry.
23/01/2008
A-Plant preview for Health Safety 08
Leading hire company, A-Plant, will be using the Health and Safety ‘08 exhibition, to put the spotlight on the company’s major ongoing campaign in the Health and Safety market.
15/01/2008
ITS08 conference - March 26th 2008
Following the ITS Show in Japan Automatrics have been contacted and invited to sponsor a Transport Theft Awareness workshop at the Barbican Centre for the ITS08 conference on Thursday the 6th March.
15/01/2008
More contracts – more Volvos
Since establishing his business four years ago Simon Richardson has substantially increased his contracting portfolio in the Borders forestry industry using excavators supplied by Volvo Construction Equipment.
08/01/2008
A-Plant acquires Norwest Holst Accommodation
New 5-Year Agreement for Sole Supply of Site Accommodation agreed with Norwest Holst
08/01/2008
New A-Plant initiative to reduce Falls from Vehicles
A-Plant is enhancing the existing safety features on new vehicles added to the company’s transport fleet to reduce the possibility of falls from height by staff working on the vehicles.
07/01/2008
Postcard from Talybont...
E G Evans & Sons Ltd, of Talybont near Barmouth, North Wales has taken delivery of the first Volvo EC35C compact excavator to be retailed in Great Britain.
21/12/2007
GenSet On-Line to Distribute Sullair
GenSet, the expanding South Wales based supplier of power equipment to the construction industry, have announced a deal to become the sole principal dealer of Sullair air compressors in the UK.
21/12/2007
Trelawny To Launch a New Grinder Range at the Executive Hire Show
The leading Midlands based manufacturer of pneumatic tools and surface preparation equipment, will be launching a new range of the latest floor grinding machines and diamond systems at the forthcoming 2008 Executive Hire Show.
21/12/2007
McGee Group puts Volvo to the test
The reputation Volvo Construction Equipment has gained over many years for its after sales service and support was the major deciding factor for Wembley based McGee Group Ltd to put Volvo to the test for the first time.
21/12/2007
A-Plant Announces Xmas Card Competition Winner
Leading hire company A-Plant has hosted a family-friendly competition to produce this year’s Christmas cards for the company’s customers.
12/12/2007
New F series loaders land at Day Aggs
Day Aggregates Ltd of Brentford Middlesex has taken delivery of five new F series Volvo wheeled loaders for its aggregates and recycling centres across London and the south east of England.
12/12/2007
Lumsden & Carroll gear up with Volvo
Lumsden & Carroll Construction, part of the Esh Group of Companies based at Bowburn, County Durham has augmented its growing plant fleet with a selection of C series Volvo excavators.
03/12/2007
Wirtgen Group paves the way
UK contractor F M Conway has used predominantly Wirtgen Group plant to bring the Race of Champions to London’s Wembley Stadium on 16 December.
29/11/2007
A-Plant Plugs In To Electric Vehicles
Leading equipment rental company, A-Plant, is introducing the world’s first high performance electric van into its delivery fleet.
29/11/2007
A-Plant Plugs In To Electric Vehicles
Leading equipment rental company, A-Plant, is introducing the world’s first high performance electric van into its delivery fleet.
26/11/2007
Volvo A40E’s spearhead a list of new equipment for Thorne Environmental
Thorne Environmental Ltd of Doncaster South Yorkshire has made a significant investment in Volvo Construction Equipment products and is one of the first U.K. contractors to take delivery of the all new Volvo A40E articulated hauler.
19/11/2007
Volvo’s my first port of call...
Micro Plant Hire operates a total of twelve Volvo compact excavators from 1.5 tonne EC15’s up to the 8.8 tonne ECR88 reduced swing machines. More recently another EC25 has been added to the fleet along with a second hand fourteen tonne EC140B.
19/11/2007
Job Vacancy at Shepherd Construction
We are looking for a Company Health and Safety Advisor to cover the Midlands and Southern Regions in providing safety support and advice (on topics such as hand-arm vibration) to our divisions and sites.
13/11/2007
Volvo EC160C takes up residence on Royal Deeside
Castle Plant (Deeside Ltd), Plant Hire Contractors to Her Majesty the Queen, has taken delivery of a new Volvo EC160CLC excavator for its contracting activities in and around the Balmoral Estate on Royal Deeside.
02/11/2007
Volvo minis prove a great success at Alloa Hire Centre
Moving in to mini excavator hire with a Volvo EC15BXTV in March has proved to be a great success for Alloa Hire Centre as it takes delivery of a second unit for its expanding hire fleet.
18/10/2007
A-Plant Preserves Environment With New Protective Products And Initiatives
A-Plant has introduced a number of initiatives and products designed to preclude against any negative impact on the environment. The new developments are the result of an environmental campaign implemented by the company’s Performance Standards team.
01/10/2007
A-Plant Further Enhances Utilisation
With the deployment of the company’s hire equipment at an all-time high, A-Plant is looking to further enhance utilisation with £13 million+ worth of new fleet orders placed with JCB, Terex and Ingersoll Rand.
05/09/2007
A-Plant To Show New Investments In Hire Fleet Equipment At Construct Equip 07
With an annual spend of over £70 million in 2006/7 in new plant and equipment, A-Plant can confidently claim that the company has the youngest hire fleet in Great Britain, providing a lead for the market in innovation and guaranteed service levels.
28/08/2007
JB Sales Brings A Taste Of New Zealand To The UK
JB Sales International Limited, a known New Zealand based company are pleased to announce that they will be distributing a new innovative fully automatic light weight coupler to the UK market place from August 2007.
17/08/2007
Health and Safety 07 Exhibition Preview for A-Plant
Leading hire company A-Plant will be putting the limelight on its Health and Safety drive at the ‘Health & Safety 07’ exhibition, taking place on 10th - 11th October 2007 at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.
13/08/2007
Launch of new health and safety campaign at A-Plant
Demonstrating the company’s continuing focus on health and safety in the workplace, A-Plant has launched a new campaign to increase safety levels in the wide range of industries served by the company.
01/08/2007
A-Plant wins North West Business Awards
Leading hire company A-Plant has been declared North West Business of the Year at the UK’s ‘Business Oscars.’
28/05/2007
Power tool performance: research into drill bits
Since the launch of HAVTEC, thousands of power tool and appendage combinations have been tested at Loughborough University and the data published on OPERC’s website with the permission of manufacturer who support the work.
22/05/2007
New Stihl Ts 410 Cut-Off Saw. ***Advertisement Feature from Stihl***
The legendary STIHL TS 400 is regarded by many as the ultimate cut-off saw for professional use in road and building construction. Indeed it has been the world’s No.1
cut-off saw for more than ten years.
21/05/2007
Hillhead 2007
Without a doubt the Hillhead Exhibition at Buxton, Derbyshire is the UK’s finest event for serious mobile plant and equipment owners and operators.
21/05/2007
SED 2007
The National Event for Construction (Site Equipment Demonstration) SED will be held at Rockingham Nr. Corby on May 22nd, 23rd and 24th 2007.
16/05/2007
New Brake Testing Guidance Published
OPERC, HSE and EPIC release guidance on the brake testing of rubber-tyred vehicles. The publication is free to download from OPERC's online bookshop or via the members area.
15/05/2007
EMP Press Release
On 21st March 2007, Dr David Edwards, Founder of OPERC and Mrs Carol Pillinger, Director/General Manager EMP met to discuss how the two bodies could work closer together. Much of the discussion focused upon the OPERC-Safetynet test system.
03/04/2007
Screening For Havs
No longer will you have to allow your employees to take a substantial part of the working day off to attend regional test centres. The financial saving and working hours from screening your men on site will be a vast benefit to your company.
03/04/2007
New EziSYSTEM Press Release
The new Cable Detection EziSYSTEM, digital cable locators are now available across the UK. With automatic pinpointing and no manual tuning required, the EziSYSTEM is a step up from the older more traditional CATs in the marketplace.
13/03/2007
New Construction Health and Safety DVD
Please see below for a press release from the MCG regarding a new multi-lingual DVD they have released entitled 'Health & Safety - UK Construction standards'.
09/03/2007
Construction News - PLANT 07
Operc members will be interested to know that Trevor Gamble, Chairman of the CPCS Management Committee and a member of CPA Council, is to launch a wide-ranging review of the CPCS scheme at the Plant 07 conference on March 22 in Birmingham.
27/02/2007
OPERC 2007 AGM
The 2007 OPERC AGM will be held at the HSE offices at Rosecourt, London on 27th February 2007.
04/01/2007
New OPERC Executive
Each year, OPERC Executive changes to provide an opportunity to leading industry practitioners and OPERC members to become more involved with the running, administration and promotion of the association.
03/01/2007
Job Vacancy at Shepherd Construction
We are looking for a Company Health and Safety Advisor for the North West to provide Health and Safety support and advice to our Divisions and sites (on topics such as hand-arm vibration).
08/12/2006
Spillard Release New Safety Harness
Spillard Safety Systems Limited introduce a new safety harness for mobile construction equipment.
11/11/2006
OPERC Press Release
Following the release of the EU's Physical Agents Directive and the UK's Control of Vibration at Work Regulations, 2005, OPERC has noted the huge surge of interest in the vibration magnitude and productivity performance values of power tools;
02/11/2006
Major Hire Companies Group (MHCG)
A new industry body called the Major Hire Companies Group (MHCG) has been launched, after a Loughborough University academic called upon the hire industry to work together to help solve the growing problem of hand-arm vibration syndrome.
29/09/2006
New OPERC Publication
Working in conjunction with Thiefbeaters and Anvil Hire, OPERC have released the first comprehensive professional guidance on plant and equipment theft.
28/09/2006
OPERC Exhibit at Executive Hire News Event
Executive Hire News have recently offered OPERC an exhibition stand at the forthcoming hand-arm vibration conference event to be held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, on the 12th October 2006.
01/09/2006
HAVTEC Expands Testing Capability
Following a recent agreement with Belle, OPERC and Loughborough University are building a new vibration compaction test track that will be used to measure both vibration magnitude and compaction rates for a wide range of compaction equipment.
25/08/2006
New OPERC Members
Over the past twelve months a significant number of major industry players have
joined the OPERC association.
29/07/2006
Hand-arm Vibration Conference 2006
Executive Hire News are holding their second annual conference on hand-arm vibration at the The Ricoh Arena, Coventry, on the 12th October 2006.
29/07/2006
Plant Theft Action Group (PTAG)
Following a recent meeting of the Plant Theft Action Group (PTAG) in London, it was decided to launch a new identification scheme to combat the growing problem of plant theft in the UK.
20/05/2006
Workplace Transport Risk
The HSE are holding a series of workplace transport consultation meetings which seek to gain insight into your experiences regards accidents involving plant and equipment and to elicit your views on how these could have been avoided.
20/05/2006
HAVTEC News Bulletin
Since its launch in March 2006, the OPERC HAVTEC Register has received overwhelming support and interest from industry and government bodies alike.
20/05/2006
OPERC Spring Meeting 2006
The HSE have kindly offered (for the fourth year running) to host an annual OPERC event at Rosecourt, in London.
30/03/2006
HAVTEC Badge Scheme
Following the requests of several large contractors within the UK construction industry, OPERC has launched the HAVTEC badge scheme which aims to alert on-site operators to the dangers of hand-arm vibration.
30/03/2006
OPERC Awards 2006
This year's prize presentation saw a record number of nominations from members and industry for leading manufacturers, construction contractors and scientists.
22/03/2006
OPERC Lifelong Learning Zone
On the 21st March, at the HSE offices in Southwark, London, OPERC Executive launched the new Lifelong Learning Zone to members.
15/01/2006
Plant 2006 Conference
A cracking event for our UK members. Plant 2006 is designed specifically for those working in the construction plant and equipment sector.
06/01/2006
New OPERC Members
It is with great pleasure that OPERC welcome its two latest members, the major contractors Costain and Morgan Est.
01/01/2006
OPERC Chief Examiner Awarded MBE
Mr Barry Robinson, OPERC past President and current Chief Examiner, has been awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours list.
01/12/2005
OPERC Plant Safety Award
Mr Chris Jones, Training Express is well known in industry as a former
Chairman of NPORS and leading plant training and equipment provider.
01/12/2005
VINCI employee wins top award
Mr Duncan Summers, an employee at the major contractor Vinci, has recently won OPERC's 'outstanding contribution to plant safety' award for his work on the safe use of cranes in and around airports.
28/11/2005
Makita and Heller Join HAVTEC
Mr Andrew Bowden at Makita and Mr Albert Hodder recently confirmed that they are the latest major manufacturers to join the HAVTEC centre.
28/11/2005
Wacker Join HAVTEC
Wacker today confirmed that they are the latest major equipment manufacturer to
support the HAVTEC vibration test centre.
25/11/2005
OPERC Autumn Raffle
During the meeting at JCB on 24th November, Mr Mick Norton, OPERC President raffled a Hilti TE6-A battery Rotary Hammer Drill and raised £270 for Children in Need.
24/11/2005
OPERC Autumn Meeting 2005
The next OPERC meeting is sponsored by, and will be held at, JCB's ITC centre Rocester.
07/11/2005
Support for Vibration Test Centre
Mr Kevin Brown today confirmed that Milwaulkee Kango are the latest major equipment manufacturer to support OPERC's new vibration test centre.
05/11/2005
Undergraduate Course Prize
Following a series of meetings with Mr Peter Franklin of DeWalt, a hand-held power tool prize has been kindly donated.
03/11/2005
Hilti Sponsor OPERC Charity Raffle
As a result of recent vibration testing conducted by OPERC/Loughborough University, Dr Paul Langford, Mr Walid Hussain and Mr Dan Stringer, Hilti have very kindly donated a TE6-A rotary battery hammer drill.
28/10/2005
MCG offer OPERC support for the Vibration Test Centre
The Major Contractors Group (MCG), who account for approximately 7.5-8% of UK GDP have offered their support for OPERC's new vibration test centre.
21/09/2005
New Plant Theft Publication
Plant theft is a major issue for industry and each year millions of plant and equipment items are stolen and sold on the black market.
25/07/2005
New Vibration Test Centre
Following the release of the EU's new Physical Agents Directive, OPERC have launched a new vibration test centre at Loughborough University.
30/06/2005
New Health and Safety Textbook
OPERC has recently commissioned a new health and safety textbook which will complement the new on-line life long learning zone.
29/06/2005
New DVD on Hand Arm Vibration
OPERC are to publish a DVD on Hand Arm Vibration; this being the second DVD commissioned in recent months.
28/06/2005
HSE Launch New Helpline
The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have recently launched a new advice line for industry practitioners who require assistance with workplace transport health and safety.
26/06/2005
New DVD on Whole Body Vibration
Mr Duncan Summers, Vinci and Post Graduate (Ph.D.) Researcher at Loughborough University recently presented the very latest OPERC guidance document on Whole Body Vibration to a packed audience of manufacturers and practitioners from around the Far East.
06/04/2005
Mobile Technology
Great news! Working in partnership with Mr Chris Jones at Training Express, OPERC have successfully tested the use of mobile technology.
12/03/2005
CIOB Prize
Mr Duncan Summers, an undergraduate student at Loughborough University and the lead author of the Cranes and Planes Code of Practice (a publication supported by BAA), has won a commendation award from The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB}.
04/03/2005
New DVD to be Produced
OPERC are to publish guidance on Whole Body Vibration and members will have an opportunity to preview the DVD at OPERC's AGM at the HSE, London, on the 18th March 2005.
01/03/2005
OPERC-Safetynet Test Fees Reduced
Following a recent surge in the number of members using the OPERC-Safetynet test system, OPERC's Executive Members have decided to reduce the cost of OPERC-Safetynet to a mere £15 per test (reduced from £20 previously).
10/02/2005
Hand-arm Vibration Field Trial Results Released
As part of its ongoing research programme into hand-arm vibration (HAV) and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), OPERC carried out vibration and performance tests on a range of construction tools.
23/01/2005
OPERC Commission New Research into Hand Arm Vibration
Hand-arm vibration (HAV) is concerned with the transmission of vibration into operatives hands and arms (HSE, 2003A, p27). Typically, though not exclusively, this results from using - emitting hand-held tools at work such as drills, saws and grinders.
11/01/2005
HSE Host the Next OPERC Meeting
The next meeting of OPERC will be held at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) central London offices at Rose Court, Southwark, London (Just off Southwark Bridge).
10/01/2005
Construction News Event 2nd March, 2005
On the 2nd March, 2005 Construction News will be hosting the Plant 2005: Protect your Assets Event, National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham
11/12/2004
OPERC Sponsor RNLI Prize
An RNLI volunteer crew member from Sheringham has been awarded 100 per cent in a health and safety examination. He is the first person ever to receive full marks.
15/10/2004
HSE Call for OPERC Support
The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have recently called for the support of OPERC members to review and comment upon the revised workplace transport guidance document HSG136.
20/08/2004
Whole Body Vibration
Whole-body vibration (WBV) is concerned with the transmission of vibration into the human body.
20/07/2004
OPERC Commission New Research into Plant Theft
Plant theft is a major cost issue for both plant owners and insurance companies as each year, theft costs millions of pounds in the UK alone.
30/06/2004
A practical guide to on how to use Safetynet
OPERC (2003) A practical guide: how to use Safetynet, Off-highway Plant and Equipment Research Centre (OPERC), in association with Volvo Construction Equipment, Loughborough University Press.
25/05/2004
Dr Jim Smith Visits OPERC
In a recent meeting with OPERC representatives, Dr Jim Smith and his team agreed to collaborate with OPERC on future research initiatives.
24/04/2004
G. Winch - Book Review
Graham, M. Winch (2002), Managing Construction Projects, Blackwell Publishing, London. ISBN 0-632-05888-9. 458 Pages, Cost: £29.99 paperback.
16/04/2004
OPERC Sponsor RNLI Prize
An RNLI volunteer crew member from Sheringham has been awarded 100 per cent in a health and safety examination. He is the first person ever to receive full marks.
14/04/2004
BAA PLC Sponsor New Code of Practice
Cranes and other tall temporary structures used during construction activities on or near aerodromes, pose a significant risk to aircraft and airport security.
27/03/2004
New Research Work into Site Safety is Launched
Bovis Lend Lease have always been considered to be one of the more forward thinking 'international' construction contractors and therefore, it is no surprise to hear of their new strategy to promote site safety chemistry amongst the project workforce.
26/03/2004
JCB Host the Next OPERC Meeting
JCB are widely regarded as one of the leading plant manufacturers and have supported the OPERC association since its inception back in January 2003.
22/03/2004
The Problem with Research
Research work is an active ingredient within the OPERC Association and indeed, OPERC leads the world in producing the very best plant and equipment management research work.
14/03/2004
New Plant Manufacturers Support OPERC
As many members know, a non-profit making association does struggle to produce good quality educational materials because these cost not only in terms of production and writing but also dissemination activities once produced.
12/03/2004
The RNLI Join OPERC
It is a great pleasure to announce that the RNLI have applied to join OPERC.
11/03/2004
HSE Host the Next OPERC Meeting
On the 11th March, 2004 the Health and Safety Executive Host the Next OPERC meeting
25/12/2003
New MSc For Plant Managers
The UK Ministry of Defence and OPERC co-develop a new MSc award for plant managers
20/12/2003
CMPE Launch New Website
Contractors Mechanical Plant Engineers release new website.
12/12/2003
New OPERC ARA Publication
OPERC will shortly publish guidance on All Round Awareness (ARA)
04/12/2003
Top University Student 2003
Mr Alex Hillman at Finning (UK) Ltd has very kindly offered to sponsor the top three students in the Plant Management module by awarding them a prestigious prize "Top Plant Management Student 2003".
21/11/2003
Finning (UK) Ltd Host Next OPERC Meeting
8th OPERC Event to be Held at Finning Leeds on 21st November 2003.
20/11/2003
OPERC Release New Plant Management Textbook
Management of Off-highway Plant and Equipment by Edwards, D.J., Harris, F.C. and McCaffer, R. (2003). This book will be beneficial to students and practitioners of civil engineering, construction, agricultural, mining, forestry and building.
29/09/2003
OPERC Meet With the HSE
New Practical Guidance Sought on All Round Visibility from the Experts
10/09/2003
Top Bucket Competition 2003
Each year, the Royal School of Military Engineering at the UK Ministry of Defence hold a 'Top Bucket' competition to determine the finest and most able operator in Her Majesty's Armed Forces.
24/07/2003
New International Standard Released
The 7th OPERC Event Heralds the Publication of the New International Standard for Plant and Equipment Instructors
