When E.ON's Connah's Quay power
station was looking for an automated
solution to its PPE storage and
distribution they had the support of
three specialist vending companies to
help make its idea a reality
Connah's Quay
When E.ON's Connah's Quay power
station was looking for an automated
solution to its PPE storage and
distribution they had the support of
three specialist vending companies to
help make its idea a reality
Connah's Quay is the UK's largest
combined cycle gas turbine power
station and gas treatment plant.
With such a large facility, the
company says site safety has to be
paramount and is its first priority.
Underpinning the company's safety
message at reception and throughout
the complex, are some amusing but
serious reminders of the inherent
dangers - "Rule One: We don't hurt
people". Particularly in the turbine
halls, this can be a hot and noisy
environment and the Company goes
to great lengths to protect its workers
with the correct equipment.
PPE is issued entirely free of
charge, but site safety manager, Jason
Plass, was looking for a more efficient
way of distributing the equipment.
"Originally, the equipment was
issued from a caged store" says Jason.
"That meant we had very little
control over the quantity of
equipment drawn, where it was going
or how it was being used." Jason
made some enquiries and felt that
vending might provide the solution.
From the initial enquiry, the
vending alliance of Intelligent
Vending and Apogee International
recognised that a vending solution
was viable and that they could
supply a suitable machine. However
for the project to be brought to life,
they also needed to employ the
expertise of cashless experts,
Quintus Systems. Another
experienced and specialist vending
company, Quintus was able to
integrate its versatile EPnet Cashless
payment system with E.ON's own
security access system to create a
tailor-made solution.
The glass fronted merchandiser,
located adjacent to the turbine hall,
offers simple access to workers
requiring PPE. The spiral operated
vending machine stocks the most
frequently needed items such as
protective eyewear, safety gloves, dust
masks and ear defenders. Quintus
Systems has integrated its EPnet
cashless software with E.ON's existing
Indala security access control system.
All E.ON staff need to do is to bring
their proximity tag close to the
machine reader and then make their
selection. The equipment is dispensed
automatically in the usual way.
Every transaction is recorded in
real time and reported back to a
remote PC, which collates and
aggregates details of all equipment
dispensed by type, by time period
and by user name. The software has
been written to allow access only to
authorised personnel. In this way,
Jason can review usage and then plan
his purchasing or investigate
abnormal usage of equipment.
Commenting on the success of the
new system, Jason adds: "We have
already noticed a significant
reduction in the amount of
equipment used and that is simply
because we have a handle on who is
using it and where it is used and why.
I anticipate that the system will pay
for itself before the year is out."
