ELW (‘Elimination of Live Work’) is a term that’s well known in mining circles, but one that’s yet to fully transfer over into other heavy industry sectors like construction, agriculture and forestry. But what does it refer to, and should it be equally ‘top of mind’ cross-industry?
Although very distinct industries, mining, agriculture, construction and forestry all involve the use of heavy mobile equipment; be it trucks, dozers, graders, excavators. Granted, the mining spec vehicles tend to be on the larger side, but all mobile heavy equipment requires regular routine inspection and maintenance – pressure testing, calibration, etc.
Typically, that involves one or more maintenance technicians working inside the machine footprint, which is the definition (at least in mining) of ‘live work’.