Building a safer tomorrow: How Mercantec utilises Leica Safety Awareness Solutions to protect future construction workers

Content creators: Line Elmelund, Lilla Tóth & Pamela Almeida

At Leica Geosystems, we are dedicated to leading the way forward to a safer and more efficient future in the construction industry. We firmly believe that safety should be at the core of every construction site, so we are continuously working on creating the latest technological innovations to make this possible. We visited Mercantec, a vocational institution located in Ulfborg, Northern Denmark. The school offers a diverse array of educational programs, from technological data and gastronomy to being one of the leading schools in Denmark for machine control training. We had the pleasure of interviewing machine control instructor Vagn Madsen, and former student, now graduate Jonas Hermansen about the future of on-site safety.

Mercantec in Ulfborg uses the Leica Geosystems Safety Awareness Systems to ensure its students’ safety and introduce the forthcoming generation of construction workers to cutting-edge technologies. Today, Vagn and Jonas are working with the Leica PA10 and PA80 solutions, exploring how effortless it is to stay safe on a construction site.

These advanced systems prevent accidents by providing students with visual and audible alerts. By wearing the personal alert tag, students have more peace of mind while navigating the site, knowing that they will receive warnings when coming close to operating machinery. The personal alert tag, recognized by machine anchors fitted to both the PA80 and PA10 system, determines distances and directions to the machines. Integrated with MC1 software, the PA80 also alerts machine operators of nearby individuals. The PA10 and PA80 solution proves to be essential tool, particularly for operators, as it notifies them on the machine control panel if someone wearing a personal alert tag or another machine is in close proximity.

Jonas Hermansen and Vagn Madsen in action, demonstrating the PA10 and PA80 system and how the visual alarms in Leica MC1 are represented on the MCP80 display.

Reassurance and time to execute any task

According to Vagn, who is working as an instructor at Mercantec, the PA10 and PA80 solutions are not just about safety. “Mercantec has chosen to use the safety awareness systems as part of the curriculum because we think it is a good way to introduce students to how important safety is”. He adds that these products are not only relevant for workers’ safety but also “let you concentrate on your work (…) if someone is using a system like the PA10 or PA80 it is easier to focus on the job.” 
Apart from providing great awareness of possible incidents, the visual and audible alarms of our Safety Awareness Solutions contribute to workers being more able to focus on site-designated tasks fully. “It gives me more peace of mind and time to focus”, says Jonas.

Vagn Madsen wearing the personal alert tag on the construction site at Mercantec in Ulfborg

Looking forward to new technologies

Jonas Hermansen operating the excavator with the Safety Awareness system at Mercantec’s training site in Ulfborg

The Safety Awareness portfolio

In addition to the personal alert tag, PA10, the collision avoidance system and the PA80 MC1 integration, Leica’s Safety Awareness Solutions also includes the VA80 camera. This camera empowers operators and project managers by enhancing visibility across the construction site. Furthermore, the Safety Awareness Module in ConX introduces new possibilities for project managers, enabling a tracking system for incidents and proactively mitigating future occurrences on-site. 

The comprehensive Safety Awareness Solutions additionally features the innovative 3D avoidance zone system. Collaborative with Xwatch Safety Solutions we have introduced a hydraulic control function for excavators, that can protect both concealed and visible construction assets and infrastructure. Technology on the construction site is key in protecting human lives, equipment, and assets. Be part of a future with fewer on-site incidents with Leica Geosystems’ Safety Awareness Solutions.