Makita tools specified for the Underground

Makita AVT low vibration power tools are the mandatory selection for the many specialised civil engineering contracts awarded to Waterflow plc by Metronet and Tubelines, the operators of the London Underground network.

Waterflow is one of the UK’s leading providers of drainage, sewer and underground engineering, maintenance and construction services to industrial, commercial, rail and utility services. Based near London’s Heathrow Airport, the Waterflow team is equipped with one of the largest, self owned capital equipment inventories and maintains a round-the-clock emergency service for many infrastructure clients.

Working in these conditions, operator safety is a primary concern and Waterflow invests heavily in both training of personnel and safety administration. Equally important is the provision of the safest power tools available, By specifying the Makita range of low vibration tools Waterflow is able to provide the greatest level of HAV risk protection to its staff and also to meet the exacting safety procedures laid down by its many customers. The Makita AVT hammer drill range delivers the highest level of operator safety and equally important, high standards of both reliability and performance.

Roger Kern, operations director of Waterflow Group plc says, “Safety for our staff, our customers’ people and the general public where we are working is paramount. We are often working in difficult conditions underground so we need the very best tools available to ensure we can complete the task in the best possible time and manner. Choosing Makita power tools is a simple decision when you have evaluated all the vibration data, impact performance, insulation and durability. We insist on Makita for our own teams and when we need to bring in additional specialist contractors we make certain that they only use Makita. Then we can be confident of meeting the deadlines with safety.”

Accurate tool usage records have to be maintained as many utility contracts include regular audits of operator times for safety protection. James Taylor, Waterflow’s HSQE manager ensures that trigger time limits are clearly identified and maintained. “Our standing in the approved contractors list for Tubelines shows that we meet the highest standards of safety and productivity. Using Makita power tools certainly contributes to our safety record as well as our operational success.”

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