Protection selection
1 min read
E-on has found a novel way to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers at its Connah's Quay power station in North Wales – from vending machines. The company needed a more efficient way of distributing the equipment and it worked with three specialist companies to come up with the solution.
Site safety manager Jason Plass says: "Originally, the equipment was issued from a caged store, which meant we had very little control over the quantity of equipment drawn, where it was going or how it was being used." Intelligent Vending and Apogee International supplied the machine which features a cashless payment system from Quintus Systems.
The glass-fronted vending machine is located next to the turbine hall, offers easy access to workers requiring frequently-needed PPE items such as protective eyewear, safety gloves, dust masks and ear defenders. Quintus Systems integrated its EPnet cashless software with E-on's existing Indala security access control system, meaning the site's access proximity tags are also used to signal to the machine. Individuals bring the card close to the machine reader, make their selection and the equipment is dispensed automatically.
Transactions are relayed to a remote PC, which records details of all equipment dispensed by type, time period and user. The software has been written to allow access only to authorised personnel.
E-on anticipates payback from the system within one year and is planning to introduce another vending machine for high-volume engineering consumables.
"Vending machines linked to a cashless system can automatically control the free issue of tools, accessories and other items where payment is not necessary, but a detailed record of issued items is of paramount importance," says Peter Quinney, MD of Quintus Systems. "Cashless vending has a lot to offer businesses where stores are remotely located, where shrinkage is an issue or, as with E-on, where improved control is desirable."
