The news of AC2M

Some problems are frequently encountered, and one of them is the safety of tank and container operations during loading.

In the basic configuration, personnel access the truck via the integrated ladder, often located at the rear of the vehicle, to carry out loading and unloading operations. Climbing up is laborious and unsafe, and the same applies when the operator is on the dome of the tank or container.

How can these risks of falling be effectively and permanently avoided?

First of all, the situation needs to be clearly identified:

•     Is the vehicle always parked in the same place, or does this vary?
•     From what angle is the vehicle accessed?
•     Is there a fixed point or access platform from which the vehicle dome can be accessed? Or, if not, is the creation of a fixed structure envisaged?

Which solution is best for you? AC2M tells you all about it!

Securing access to a tank or container for operations can be done from a mobile or fixed station.
   
The mobile safety ladder is the alternative for situations where the vehicle changes parking location, or where there is no space available to create a fixed access point.
To start work, the operator directs the ladder towards the vehicle. Depending on the angle, this movement can be frontal or transverse. Once the ladder is in place, the operator places it on its fixed supports. The height is then adjusted by a simple vertical movement (a principle developed by AC2M) to match the shape of the vehicle as closely as possible. Now the ladder is ready for use. The operator accesses the dome through the self-closing gate and works with optimum protection in the safety cage placed on the site of the intervention.
AC2M is the inventor of the ‘2 in 1’ system: a single ladder with two directions movement!

The folding stairway is a permanent solution. It is either fixed to an existing platform or building, or designed directly with its access platform as a complete structure. The vehicle is parked below the work area. The operator unlocks the folding stairs and lowers the safety cage over the vehicle dome. Through the wicket door, he accesses the area protected by the safety cage, where he can carry out his loading operations without risk of falling.

And to take the zero-risk approach a step further, AC2M offers a complete solution to prevent unintentional departure: an access platform with a folding walkway equipped with two raising gates at the entrance and exit of the vehicle parking area. As long as the barriers are not raised, the driver is obliged to remain in place. Clever, isn't it?

In short, there are various solutions to counter the risk of falling during (bulk) loading operations. It's up to you to choose the one that's best for you! And if you have any doubts or questions, contact a specialist directly to discuss your problem: AC2M is at your disposal!
 
AC2M
Z.A. La Métairie
F-45370 DRY
Tel. +33 (0)2 38 59 97 99
ac2m@ac2m-sarl.fr
https://www.ac2m-sarl.fr/

Why complicate something when you can simplify it?

Damien Naudin and Aurélien Coudrat asked themselves this question when they designed the new AC2M mobile safety ladder.

What's new about this mobile safety ladder?

Firstly, the height adjustment system has been completely transformed. Unlike the usual winch system, which is tedious and time-consuming to use, the new AC2M ladder is simply adjusted by sliding the ladder on the fixed surface (a system developed by and for AC2M). By sliding the upper part of the ladder onto the fixed surface, the operator locks it at the required height, then locks it to ensure stable access. Simple, fast and efficient.

Another remarkable new feature is that the AC2M mobile ladder can be used for both longitudinal and perpendicular movements. There's no need to have two different ladders for different jobs. It can be used for front access if there is sufficient space to set it back, while still allowing the ladder to move parallel to the vehicle. This option is very popular when working on rail wagons on tracks that are fairly close together, but also for tankers or isotainers parked next to each other in a car park. You can choose this double-displacement option when you draw up your mobile ladder quotation.

With this new AC2M mobile ladder, you're safe from all eventualities.

Would you like to find out more? Then come and talk to Aurélien COUDRAT at the VRAC TECH Macon show from 3 to 5 December on our stand HA-B9 or visit our new website https://www.ac2msarl.fr/ .

When there is a risk in an ATEX Zone, it is essential to implement very specific measures to prevent an explosion.

These preventive measures must be employed in all technical and organisational aspects of the zone concerned. This applies equally to the mobile tools used, the work clothing and the fixed installations on site.

However, the presence of an ATEX Zone must not hinder the implementation of appropriate protective measures for operators working in the area.  Therefore, to ensure the safe transfer of loads between different levels and on a platform, it is always necessary to install a safety pallet gate. So how do you go about it?

It is essential to check first that the equipment is never separated from the specified earth point. In order to comply with standards and prevent any risk of electrostatic ignition, it is essential to earth the conductive metal parts. It is therefore necessary to equip the barrier with electrical continuity.
To meet these requirements, AC2M offers safety gates adapted to the ATEX environment and fitted with welded studs through which the earth braids pass, thus ensuring earthing and electrical continuity.  In this way, equipotentiality of the installations is guaranteed.

In any case, it is impossible to ensure adequate protection against the risks of ATEX explosions without prior training of all personnel. The key terms in prevention are information, understanding and apprehension of the risks.

For more information, contact AC2M - Z.A. La Métairie - Rue du Val d'Ardoux - F-45370 DRY - France - +33 (0)2 38 59 97 99 - ac2m@ac2m-sarl.fr - https://www.ac2m-sarl.fr/

What does AC2M do?
AC2M is a metalworking and boiler-making company specialising in the safety of pallet loading areas on platforms and access to tanks.

What does AC2M offer to make industrial sites safe?
We have designed our own range of equipment for securing areas at height. The purpose of afety pallet gates is to secure areas where pallets pass from the groundfloor to platforms. They recreate the continuity of the guardrail around the unloading area, with different movements depending on their design: tilting, sliding, lifting, etc. They are produced as standard or made-to-measure versions to suit the environment in which they are installed. For access to tanks and/or containers, we offer both fixed and mobile solutions.
Folding stairways are installed on the building or an island in a "fixed version". They are designed to ensure the safety of operators when accessing the dome of tanks or road or rail containers. They recreate a guardrail around the dome and adapt to the configuration of the tank. We also produce access stairs and access platforms.
Mobile safety ladders provide mobile access to tank and container domes. These are simple solutions for safe working at height.

Who is AC2M equipment designed for?
The products are designed for industrial companies, local authorities and any structure that faces a risk related to safety at height.

What's new for AC2M?
AC2M is committed to good environmental practice (selective sorting - reuse of packaging, etc.). This way, the company has been awarded the "ECO-DEFIS" label. AC2M is also committed to training and helping young people, people undergoing professional retraining and people facing social challenges.
The company has just celebrated its 25th anniversary.

A quarter of a century already, and yet the spirit of the company has remained young!

Since it was founded in 1998 in Jargeau, AC2M has come a long way, with two co-managers, Aurélien COUDRAT and Damien NAUDIN, taking over the business in 2011, followed by a move to Dry in 2013.

Today, AC2M is a small, dynamic team of around ten employees. The company specialises in making work on tanks and lorries safer (folding walkway and mobile ladder) and in handling loads between different levels (safety lock gate). It also has other areas of expertise, such as metalwork and boiler making, enabling it to manufacture customised parts and carry out repairs on site.

The latest addition to the services offered by AC2M is water jet cutting, which has been available since 2021. This is an environmentally-friendly process for cutting different materials, up to 200 mm thick, with unrivalled precision and quality.

Concerned about environmental and humanitarian issues, AC2M has implemented a policy to reduce its carbon footprint and supports various local and national associations.

The objective for the next 25 years? "To maintain the caring spirit of the small business," say the two co-managers. "To continue to evolve and improve our efficiency so that we can find innovative solutions for our customers.

For more information: https://www.ac2m-sarl.fr/

AC2M – ZA la Métairie – Rue du Val d’Ardoux – F-45370 DRY – Tel. +33 (0)2 38 59 97 99 – ac2m@ac2m-sarl.fr – www.ac2m-sarl.fr