City council hands innovative Coventry start-up first contract for new digital safety glove - The Coventry Observer

City council hands innovative Coventry start-up first contract for new digital safety glove

Coventry Editorial 18th Jan, 2021 Updated: 18th Jan, 2021   0

A COVENTRY business has secured its first contract after designing a ‘handy’ digital glove which improves the safety of construction workers.

Feraru Dynamics launched its Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAV-Sentry) glove in 2020 after two years of developing prototypes and completing validation tests.

The company received a £11,992 grant from the Coventry and Warwickshire Innovation Programme, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. They developed the wearable device after being in touch with the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub and securing funding from Coventry City Council.

The digital glove monitors the vibrations created by heavy machinery when worn by construction workers operating tools. By analysing the data, it alerts them when dangerous levels are being reached so they know to take a break.




Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome can be prevented but once damage is caused, it can lead to a permanent lack of grip strength, white fingertips, numbness and tingling in the hands and arms.

Feraru Dynamics, based at the Coventry University Technology Park in Puma Way, has secured its first contract to supply the gloves to Coventry City Council for road construction staff.


Andrei Feraru, co-founder and managing director of Feraru Dynamics, said: “Health and safety is an important area for every business but particularly in the construction sector.

“I initially had the idea for the HAV-Sentry while I was doing a work placement at Rolls-Royce in Derby during my mechanical engineering degree from Coventry University.

“It changed my career path and I decided to invent a product that would ease hazardous exposures in the workplace.

“It is a legal requirement to protect people against vibration and this is a real issue since workers can develop an irreversible condition with one or two years’ continuous exposure. The symptoms are severe and can cause real pain.

“The feedback from industry has been really, really important along with the Growth Hub who made me aware of the ERDF grant. Their connections to businesses in manufacturing and engineering have also been vital.

“I am very grateful for the continued support we have received from Coventry University’s Engineering Faculty, the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and many industry partners without which our ideas for this technology would have remained at a conceptual level.

“The material of the glove is currently being manufactured in Germany but we hope to bring the glove material sourcing and design manufacturing back to the UK.

“We have won our first contract which is with Coventry City Council and we are demonstrating it to a major company early in 2021 so we really hope it is going to take off.”

Coun Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration at Coventry City Council, said: “I’m really impressed by this new product which has been developed right here in Coventry. I’m also pleased that we have placed the first order with Andrei and his team in order to help improve safety for our own construction workers.

“Often all small innovative local companies like Feraru Dynamics need is a small boost of cash and the right connections to get new innovations to market. And that’s exactly what our Innovation Programme is all about.

“I wish Andrei every success with this new glove – it’s a great innovation which will hopefully protect workers from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome.”

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Coventry Observer.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Coventry Observer.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.