The 2007 safety and health innovation awards, held by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, have recognised diversified minerals group Consolidated Minerals Ltd and aluminium giant Alcoa for their innovative solutions to health and safety issues.
The 2007 safety and health innovation awards, held by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, have recognised diversified minerals group Consolidated Minerals Ltd and aluminium giant Alcoa for their innovative solutions to health and safety issues.
The CME’s annual awards are open to organisations in the minerals and energy industries.
Consolidated Minerals Ltd was the overall winner at last week’s awards for its purpose-built exploration drill rig handling system, developed in conjunction with Guildford-based drilling company, Swick Mining Services.
The RC drill rig, used in Consolidated Minerals’ manganese mine at Woodie Woodie in the Pilbara, was engineered to improve productivity and eliminate risks involved in the operation of traditional rigs, such as dependence on heavy labour, excessive noise and heat, poor ergonomics and dust problems.
One of the key components of the RC drill design is the hands-free, hydraulically operated rod handling system, which allows the driller to load and unload drill rods using a remote control pad and removes the need for manual handling of rods during rig operation.
To eliminate noise and heat around the rig, a remote air compressor truck was built to allow compressors and boosters to be removed, with the compressor components able to be operated from a control panel.
While Swick’s primary business is in underground diamond drilling, the new RC rig may have applications in other sectors.
The board of Swick Mining Services has approved the construction of another RC rig, to commence later this month, and is hoping to approve a third at its next meeting.
Managing director Kent Swick told WA Business News the design and performance of the RC drill rig was particularly suited to the environment of iron ore mining areas, and said the iron ore sector was a good target sector for the rig.
Alcoa World Alumina Australia received both the highly commended and commended awards for its ergonomic tools designed by employees.
The highly commended McKenna hammerless drain valve was designed by Alcoa Wagerup maintenance technician, Rob McKenna, to aid the opening of refinery drain valves.
Initially envisaged as a sketch on Mr McKenna’s work overalls, the drain valve was designed to overcome the scale build-up associated with conventional valves, by using a ‘bolt-on’ gear box.
“It’s a really simple solution. The RAD gun turns a couple of gears that turn a larger gear that operates the valve. So, in effect, a simple push of the gun’s trigger replaces the need for repetitive hammering to get these valves to open and close,” Mr McKenna said.
Alcoa has trialled the valve for three months and has installed a second valve into a different application, with positive results.
The company also received the commended award for its wheel spinner device, developed by mobile maintenance fitter, Michael Hodges.
The wheel spinner is used to turn the rear wheels of haul trucks during wheel bearing adjustment and tyre fitting tasks, using an electrical motor to drive a roller and rotate the wheel.
Operated by a pendant hand control, the spinner reduces the ergonomic risk of sprain and strain injuries, and may be operated by wireless technology in the future.
This year’s awards, announced last week, received 18 entries overall, which were short-listed to eight.
In addition to its two awards, Alcoa was short-listed for two other designs, while Newcrest Mining and Wallis Drilling Pty Ltd made the final eight.
