“Contractors have realized the benefits of increased productivity and work efficiency, and are embracing safe work practices with the help of AWPs.”
The number of AWP users in India is increasing due to greater awareness of its advantages.
The AWP is now being seen as a very important machine for project sites. There is a greater requirement for working at heights, plus, there is more awareness of safety and efficient working systems. Since lack of skilled manpower is the biggest issue nowadays, the AWP has the advantage of getting work completed within the timeline and with lesser manpower. Secondly, increased productivity and efficiency with safety is the biggest advantage of AWPs. These machines are for robust construction with features such as safety interlocks, sensors for overload, tilt alarms, angle sensors, pothole protection, and so on.
AWP manufacturers should support rental companies more.
AWP manufacturers should support rental companies by conducting seminars along with a safety counsel. A major issue is the unclear category this industry comes under, though the Customs Department says it does not come under the Motor Vehicle Act at the time of import; but every state’s RTO charges a huge amount of tax as they consider it under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Manufacturers should also educate customers and end-users about the many advantages of AWPs over traditional scaffolding, as AWPs will give them greater value for their money. Only then will use of AWPs increase in India substantially.
Also, in big trade shows like bauma CONEXPO INDIA, though the rental companies can participate, they are, however, not allowed to display their products. We believe that it should be the moral responsibility of manufacturers to convince and encourage the organizers to also allow rental companies to exhibit their products.
Manufacturers should provide training to operators/end-users of their AWPs.
To provide an AWP along with the operator is a huge task, and costly too, for rental companies. This can be solved if AWP manufacturers provide operator training under skill India (dream project of Govt of India) to all major customers/project owners. This way, they will be less dependent on the rental companies for operators. For instance, keeping 500 operators for 500 fleet of machines is a tough task for rental companies, so if end-users start operating machines themselves, there will be no problem of machines’ and operators’ availability at any point of time.
The future of AWP rentals in India is bright.
The country’s overall economic growth prospect is optimistic, and a lot of infrastructure projects are in the pipeline. In our company, implementation of lean management has been a major driver. And, we are creating awareness amongst our clients to operate their equipment rather than depand on operator.
Each one of us needs to help increase awareness on working at heights. In India, the biggest challenge is lack of awareness and not having proper safety guidelines. In developed markets, there is a crystal-clear policy which mandates use of AWP if working at a height of more than 6 meters. Some leading manufacturers are in touch with the National Safety Council to get a legislation on mandatory use of AWPs beyond a particular height; and the policies will follow soon.
