Revader Security has supplied a range of redeployable CCTV cameras for use in eight quarries operated by Hanson.

Hanson is part of theHeidelbergCement Group, one of the largest building materials manufacturers worldwide and the global market leader in aggregates. The Group employs around 52,000 people at 2,500 locations in 40 countries.

“Quarries are of course potentially very dangerous places to work in and understandably our clients take the safety of their employees, as well as visiting customers and sub-contractors, very seriously. They have therefore never hesitated to invest in the latest technology to ensure their sites comply at all times with very strict Health & Safety procedures,” said Chris Willett, Director of Ellesmere Port based Sabre Security Systems Ltd.

“One of the main concerns however at each of the eight quarries has been the activity that may take place at night or when the sites are closed during holiday periods. There has, for example, been a number of diesel thefts, as well as incidents of youths trespassing just to have some fun, and by doing so they have caused damage and put themselves in harm’s way by attempting to play with dangerous machinery.”

Hanson invited a number of installers to submit proposals to supply and install a video surveillance solution which would provide comprehensive coverage at each of the eight quarries. Despite tough competition, Sabre Security Systems were awarded the contract based on their recommendations that Revader Security’s redeployable camera range should be specified for the project.

The redeployable cameras are vandal resistant all-in-one camera and recording solutions which include an optical zoom lens that can be remotely controlled to allow operators to observe close up detail of any activity and track the movement of people, machinery or vehicles. When not remotely controlled, the camera can be programmed to move to up to 128 pre-set positions.

Its rugged construction makes it ideal for harsh environments such as quarries, whilst the camera’s day/night functionality means that it can capture high quality colour images in very low light levels. Available with the option of Ethernet, WiFi or 3G connectivity, the camera utilises the Linux based Wavestore® video recording and management software which has been widely acclaimed for its user-friendliness.

“Although the products are designed to be re-deployable, in this instance they have proved to be a highly cost-effective and robust method of monitoring the quarries compared to traditional CCTV cameras,” said Chris Willett. “The obvious additional benefit is that if required they can be quickly and easily removed and installed at another site.”

A total of 13 redeployable PTZ cameras have been installed across the eight Hanson sites, located in the North West of England and Wales. At night or at other times when the quarries are not operating, external intruder detection sensors trigger the transmission over 3G of live images of any activity to a call centre where an operator can verify what is occurring and if appropriate, call an authorised ‘key holder’.