Safety during lifting operations on busy sites requires clear communication between the operator in the cab and slinger/signallers on the ground. Typically slingers communicate with operators using hand signals, whistles, radio or wifi. However, hand signals and whistles can be hard to see or hear from a tower crane cab, and verbal communications can be slow or subject to interference.
The new technology, branded The Buddie System, was developed by experienced crane industry professionals Gary Panagiotidis and Jade Harris. It is a lanyard-based alert system, designed to send a clear signal in the event of an emergency. A signaller can issue an alert signal with a tug on the lanyard, and up to ten units can be used at the same time. Marr was the first company to adopt the system, on two sites in Sydney in September 2025.
Marr was selected to supply specialised lifting for Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Joint Venture (BBVSJV) at HS2 Old Oak Common in 2024. The company has now started using The Buddie System on the project.
Andy Donkin, Marr鈥檚 appointed person, lifting operations, on the site, said, 鈥淭he Buddie System is brilliant. I鈥檝e been in the construction industry for more than 38 years and haven鈥檛 come across anything else like it. It鈥檚 a simple, potentially life-saving solution that fills a critical gap where loss of communication has too often led to accidents and injuries.鈥�
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