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An inherent design flaw with the traditional waratah rammer which allows for it to come free from the post on the upward movement, allowing workers hands to get caught between the post and the rammer on the downward movement. The risk is heightened on uneven, slippery, and steep terrain. When that happens, significant, potentially life-long injuries can occur.
In early 2021, our construction and health & safety teams decided to lead the change for safety and hatched a plan to design a safer tool for the job – one that everybody in the industry could use.
Piritahi partnered with waratah supplier, Cirtex, to develop and test a prototype. Many variables were considered and rigorously tested, including weight, shape, ergonomics, strength, durability, and maintenance. The redesign was tested and refined four times before we landed on the final product.
The standout feature of the final design is the locking mechanism which stops the rammer from separating from the post, unless it is manually disengaged. In the improved rammer, a sliding barrel inner shaft was built to connect with the post so that the two units could move together until the post is secured in place. This eliminated the risk of hands being caught between the waratah and the rammer.
“An innovation that can save hundreds of hands, every year” - A win for everybody.
Judges of the 2021 Site Safe Awards loved the simple innovation and awarded Piritahi the 2021 Health & Safety Award. Judges were impressed and amazed by such an elegant solution to a significant safety risk.
Today, all nine Piritahi neighbourhoods across Auckland, as well as both Alliance construction partners, Hick Bros and Dempsey Wood, are using the RAM10. Since September 2021, RAM10 manufacturer Cirtex has been marketing the new rammer and are reporting overwhelmingly positive feedback from the construction and farming sectors.
The number 10 in the name RAM10 is to signify that all 10 fingers and thumbs should be protected from harm, when you use the newly designed rammer.
An inherent design flaw with the traditional waratah rammer which allows for it to come free from the post on the upward movement, allowing workers hands to get caught between the post and the rammer on the downward movement. The risk is heightened on uneven, slippery, and steep terrain. When that happens, significant, potentially life-long injuries can occur.
In early 2021, our construction and health & safety teams decided to lead the change for safety and hatched a plan to design a safer tool for the job – one that everybody in the industry could use.
Piritahi partnered with waratah supplier, Cirtex, to develop and test a prototype. Many variables were considered and rigorously tested, including weight, shape, ergonomics, strength, durability, and maintenance. The redesign was tested and refined four times before we landed on the final product.
The standout feature of the final design is the locking mechanism which stops the rammer from separating from the post, unless it is manually disengaged. In the improved rammer, a sliding barrel inner shaft was built to connect with the post so that the two units could move together until the post is secured in place. This eliminated the risk of hands being caught between the waratah and the rammer.
“An innovation that can save hundreds of hands, every year” - A win for everybody.
Judges of the 2021 Site Safe Awards loved the simple innovation and awarded Piritahi the 2021 Health & Safety Award. Judges were impressed and amazed by such an elegant solution to a significant safety risk.
Today, all nine Piritahi neighbourhoods across Auckland, as well as both Alliance construction partners, Hick Bros and Dempsey Wood, are using the RAM10. Since September 2021, RAM10 manufacturer Cirtex has been marketing the new rammer and are reporting overwhelmingly positive feedback from the construction and farming sectors.
The number 10 in the name RAM10 is to signify that all 10 fingers and thumbs should be protected from harm, when you use the newly designed rammer.
An inherent design flaw with the traditional waratah rammer which allows for it to come free from the post on the upward movement, allowing workers hands to get caught between the post and the rammer on the downward movement. The risk is heightened on uneven, slippery, and steep terrain. When that happens, significant, potentially life-long injuries can occur.
In early 2021, our construction and health & safety teams decided to lead the change for safety and hatched a plan to design a safer tool for the job – one that everybody in the industry could use.
Piritahi partnered with waratah supplier, Cirtex, to develop and test a prototype. Many variables were considered and rigorously tested, including weight, shape, ergonomics, strength, durability, and maintenance. The redesign was tested and refined four times before we landed on the final product.
The standout feature of the final design is the locking mechanism which stops the rammer from separating from the post, unless it is manually disengaged. In the improved rammer, a sliding barrel inner shaft was built to connect with the post so that the two units could move together until the post is secured in place. This eliminated the risk of hands being caught between the waratah and the rammer.
“An innovation that can save hundreds of hands, every year” - A win for everybody.
Judges of the 2021 Site Safe Awards loved the simple innovation and awarded Piritahi the 2021 Health & Safety Award. Judges were impressed and amazed by such an elegant solution to a significant safety risk.
Today, all nine Piritahi neighbourhoods across Auckland, as well as both Alliance construction partners, Hick Bros and Dempsey Wood, are using the RAM10. Since September 2021, RAM10 manufacturer Cirtex has been marketing the new rammer and are reporting overwhelmingly positive feedback from the construction and farming sectors.
The number 10 in the name RAM10 is to signify that all 10 fingers and thumbs should be protected from harm, when you use the newly designed rammer.