In safe hands: how we enable safety by design
When it comes to our vehicles and systems, we always put safety first. Through thoughtful engineering, we combine low entry, high visibility features, and unparalleled ergonomics to build high quality, high-performing RCVs that are safe by design. By ensuring safety is prioritised from the very start of our design process, the risk of injury to drivers, crews, and road users is vastly reduced.
With safety at the heart of everything we do, our entire product range is purpose-built to include integrated and critical safety features. We’re focused on creating enhanced, flexible, and more comfortable work environments for operators that increase confidence and improve road safety for communities. In fact, our Elite+ cab has achieved the highest five-star rating for safety under London’s Direct Vision Standard (DVS).
“The introduction of our first low-entry cab, the Elite, made a big impression on the market when it debuted back in 1992,” said Keith Day, Managing Director, Dennis Eagle. “This completely revolutionised safety for drivers and crews by enabling easier entry and exit during collection rounds. We’ve continued to refine and evolve this capability with the Elite 6 and the Elite+, as well as introducing many other new safety features to the industry, and we’ll keep on improving these solutions well into the future.”
Exceptional safety features for an enhanced experience
Our steadfast commitment to safety is reflected in our growing range of invaluable solutions:
Low-entry cab
Offering safer, easier access into the cab, our game-changing low-entry step vastly reduces the risk of slips or falls during frequent entry and exit, further supported by anti-slip material for use in all weathers. A low seating position puts the driver closer to eye level with other road users, significantly reducing blind spots and prioritising the safety of vulnerable road users. A recessed outer seat also improves cab access, alleviating the risk of trips and falls for crews during collection rounds.
Enhanced visibility
Large panoramic windows around our Elite+ cabs provide a clear, wide-angle view of the road and surroundings while aiding safer manoeuvres in tight spaces. These windows vastly enhance visibility, further reducing blind spots for the driver. Soft lighting is also integrated throughout the cab, reducing glare and improving visibility in low-light conditions to minimise eye strain for drivers outside of daylight hours. LED corner beacons alert other road users and bright work/scene lights aid in illuminating wider surroundings for loading, unloading, and maintenance tasks at any time of day.
Five-camera DVR system
Made up of five 720-pixel HD cameras, our optional DVR system is positioned at the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle to ensure comprehensive 360° visibility. An optional sixth camera can be added for even greater coverage, with crystal-clear footage around the vehicle. A crash reconstruction playback function is also available to identify any bumps or impacts experienced by the RCV in real-time, enabling immediate investigation by the crew.
Reverse radar assistant
Our optional reverse radar assistant supports in detecting people and other significant objects at the vehicle's rear, immediately alerting the driver with a visible and audible warning. An autobrake function can also be added, ensuring that whenever a vehicle gets close to an obstacle, the brakes are automatically applied to help prevent a collision.
Turn alarm
Added at the customer’s request, the RCV turn alarm is a simple, highly effective solution that prevents accidents by audibly alerting cyclists and pedestrians the vehicle is about to turn during vehicle manoeuvres. Linked to the vehicle’s speed, the turn alarm system deactivates when the RCV is travelling over 30mph.
Safety throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle
Safety is not only top of mind when it comes to our products but truly underpins everything we do for our customers. This safety-first mindset is reinforced by the multiple safety inspection services we offer across our 16 Service Centres based all over the UK and Ireland. This ranges from LOLER inspections, which ensure bin lifts operate safely and always remain compliant, to MOT services that examine critical safety features in line with DVSA standards.
Prioritising safety from day one through training
Safety is also a vital area of focus for our evolving technical training programme. Following the official opening of our brand-new Technical Training Centre last month, our newly revised course material will have a keen emphasis on safe operating procedures, risk avoidance, and best practices.
“Our comprehensive training programme helps operators make the most of the safety and efficiency features available across our portfolio, giving them the confidence to apply what they learn in real-world scenarios,” said Geoff Rigg, Aftermarket Director, Dennis Eagle.
You can find out more about our commitment to safety here.
