Construction

Caterpillar Safety Services’ “MindShift for Leaders” programme comprises five 90-minute virtual sessions. (Image source: CSS)

Caterpillar Safety Services has introduced "MindShift for Leaders," a five-session training programme aimed at equipping leaders with the principles of human and organisational performance (HOP) to drive safer workplaces.

Designed as a virtual series, the sessions guide participants to rethink and adjust their approaches to leading and managing safety, encouraging a shift in mindset toward more resilient safety cultures.

"MindShift for Leaders" moves beyond traditional safety management methods, which often rely on policies and processes based on managerial assumptions rather than on the realities of how work is actually performed. The programme leverages HOP principles as a foundation to build error-tolerant systems, fostering open discussions around safety and supporting organisations in creating adaptive safety cultures that account for human variability and build resilience.

“Expecting perfection from workers is not realistic, and traditional methods of managing safety do not account for factors that can disrupt a system. A human and organisational performance mindset does not manage the incident itself but assists organisations with building more error-tolerant safety systems that allow people to stay safe, even when they make a mistake," said Zach Knoop, manager at Caterpillar Safety Services.

Five HOP principles

Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) promotes a mindset built on understanding human behaviour, communication, and responses in the workplace. Rather than following a strict process, it encourages organisations to create error-tolerant systems that drive learning and improvement without focusing on blame.

Caterpillar Safety Services’ “MindShift for Leaders” programme comprises five 90-minute virtual sessions, each centred around core HOP principles. The programme teaches that errors are inevitable and that protecting workers means designing systems that can withstand mistakes. Rather than assigning blame, the focus shifts to identifying and addressing organisational weaknesses that contribute to incidents. HOP also highlights that behaviours are driven by context; understanding the environment in which actions occur can reveal the real drivers behind decisions. Leaders are encouraged to create a culture of learning by valuing insights from workers who are closest to the job, promoting a flow of ideas that can prevent incidents and improve practices. Finally, the way leaders respond to mistakes has a profound impact on team morale, and the programme instills the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in leadership.

“MindShift for Leaders” aligns with Caterpillar Safety Services' vision of a Resilient Safety Culture, underpinned by the principles of Mindset, System, Ownership, and Leadership, providing leaders with tools to foster safer, more resilient workplaces.

The HR15 H2E and HR17 H2E can run for up to five days on batteries alone. (Image source: Niftylift).

Niftylift is at the forefront in the mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) sector, offering some of the most fuel-efficient diesel-powered equipment, as well as hybrid and fully electric models.

Recently, it introduced the world’s first hydrogen-electric-powered access platforms – the HR15 H₂E and HR17 H₂E – marking a breakthrough in zero-emission construction in the Middle East.

"When powered by renewable energy, Niftylift’s fully electric platforms provide a dependable zero-emission solution for a wide range of urban jobsites. However, we recognise that not all projects, especially those in remote locations, have access to grid power for charging. This is where the hydrogen fuel cell comes into play. By adding it on top of the electric system, we offer a versatile and practical solution that’s viable for virtually any jobsite," explains Thomas Hadden, global technical sales manager at Niftylift.

The HR15 H₂E and HR17 H₂E can run for up to five days on batteries alone, with the hydrogen system doubling this range. Even with daily use, the hydrogen cylinder only needs replacing every two to three weeks. These boom lifts integrate hydrogen technology seamlessly, maintaining Niftylift's renowned low weight and compact design while emitting only water vapour and heat as by-products. This makes them ideal for both urban and remote sites, aligning with the region’s sustainability goals.

Johnson Arabia became the first rental company in the region to acquire a Niftylift HR15 H₂E, impressed by its performance during a demonstration. The company also added 19 fully electric units to its fleet. The HR15 H₂E is now operational on a high-profile UAE construction site, delivering zero emissions without downtime for refuelling or recharging.

Growth in the Middle East

Niftylift sees strong potential in the Middle East, driven by the focus on sustainability and safety in construction. “We’ve seen an ever-increasing growth for Niftylift products in the region even given the fierce market competition,” says Thomas. “This surge in demand is largely due to the heightened awareness of safety standards in the region and we are internationally renowned at Niftylift for our advanced safety features, such as SiOPS (sustained involuntary operation prevention system), load-sensing, and tilt-sensing technologies.”

To support growing demand, Niftylift is establishing a regional office in Dubai, serving as a hub for direct sales and support for key account rental companies. This will strengthen its partnerships in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, and expand its customer base in Saudi Arabia, a key growth market.

Niftylift also maintains close relationships with customers through regular face-to-face meetings and participation in industry events, including sponsorship of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) Middle East Conference 2024 in Riyadh.

“The Middle East’s transition to a sustainable future hinges on innovative technologies, such as hydrogen-electric equipment,” Thomas concludes. “As a leader in this field, we at Niftylift are committed to empowering the region’s construction industry to achieve ambitious decarbonisation goals.

This move will enhance innovation and allow both companies to explore new industry and geographic opportunities. (Image source: Caterpillar)

Caterpillar and Trimble have extended their long-standing joint venture to expand the availability of grade control solutions in the construction sector.

Since the partnership began in 2002, Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies (CTCT) has focused on improving jobsite safety and productivity through advanced grade control products.

The new agreement broadens the distribution of interoperable grade control solutions, making them available through a flexible platform for Caterpillar, Trimble, and other equipment manufacturers.

Growing networks

This move will enhance innovation and allow both companies to explore new industry and geographic opportunities.

For Caterpillar customers, the expanded offerings will provide access to factory-installed grade control systems, the option to upgrade Cat Grade 3D systems at any point during the machine lifecycle, and additional aftermarket and digital solutions through Cat dealers.

Trimble customers will benefit from continued support for mixed-fleet systems via the SITECH dealer network and increased access to grade control solutions through the Trimble Construction One platform, further extending Trimble’s construction technology capabilities.

This agreement strengthens the collaboration between the two companies and expands their reach in delivering advanced solutions to the construction industry.

“Trimble's Connect & Scale strategy has created an ecosystem that empowers customers across both the physical and digital worlds. The next phase of our joint venture will drive innovation in grade control technology to expand the industry opportunity with localised and differentiated solutions while improving technology interoperability,” said Rob Painter, president and CEO of Trimble. "This partnership underscores a joint commitment to connect the office and the field throughout the design-build-operate lifecycle of construction projects.”

"Caterpillar and Trimble have a long history of innovating together,” said Tony Fassino, Caterpillar Construction Industries group president. “We are proud of what we’ve developed to help customers optimise their operations, including grade control. Today’s announcement is a continuation of this collaboration. With a focus on accelerating this leading-edge technology, we are committed to making it easier for customers to acquire and adopt our solutions across Cat and mixed fleets alike."

An image of a sustainable city. (Image source: Canva)

At a recent seminar on climate-resilient solutions, Dr. Jacinta Dsilva, research director at SEE Institute, highlighted the critical need for sustainable urban planning to address the growing environmental challenges facing communities, particularly in the UAE and the Middle East.

With increasing urbanisation, the region is experiencing extreme weather patterns, including fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable rainfall, which pose threats to urban infrastructure and human well-being.

Dr. Dsilva emphasised that while developed countries have the resources to manage climate-related challenges, developing nations face more significant hurdles. She explained, “The challenge is these can be managed by developed countries. What about developing countries or countries that are dealing with much more climate-related challenges?” This gap, she noted, requires innovative, accessible, and affordable solutions.

Climate-resilient built environment

Among the key solutions discussed were nature-based approaches to flood resilience, such as wetlands. “Wetlands reduce flood risks by up to 40%,” said Dr. Dsilva, adding that creating such ecosystems in vulnerable areas could greatly mitigate the impact of climate change. She also pointed out the importance of addressing urban heat islands, a major issue in the Middle East. Implementing solutions like “cool roofs” and “urban forests” can reduce temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, offering relief from the intense heat.

Dr. Dsilva also stressed the importance of incorporating sustainable urban design and green spaces into city planning. “Sustainable urban planning enhances both physical and mental well-being,” she said, explaining how walkable spaces, parks, and community events foster a sense of social connectivity and contribute to healthier communities. According to her, creating more opportunities for social interaction is crucial in today’s world, where digital distractions often isolate individuals from their neighbours.

Another vital area of focus is waste segregation and recycling. Dr. Dsilva highlighted the need for a circular economy, noting that “if we know how to segregate waste right from the source, we will be able to reduce at least 70% of the waste going to the landfill.” She commended the UAE government for its initiatives, such as the large waste-to-energy plant in Dubai, which is set to generate energy from organic waste.

As climate challenges intensify, Dr. Dsilva called for collective action: “We need to really work on SDG number six, which is clean water and sanitation.” She urged communities and governments to incorporate sustainable practices and technologies to build a more resilient future.