IT’S a constant dilemma for those working in remote and isolated mining locations; a worker identifies a hazard but it’s potentially hours before anyone else is made aware of it.
Typically the worker logs the hazard on a piece of paper while in the field and updates records once they return to base at the end of the shift. In the meantime, the hazard goes unlogged and other workers remain at risk.
In addition, the double-handling process of filling out the first form, and then providing that information a second time when updating the record, reduces companies’ productivity.
Now two Perth-based entrepreneurs have developed a software system and mobile application they say has the potential to ‘revolutionise’ this record-keeping process.
It may sound like a sales pitch, but SEE Forge’s managing partner and co-developer, James McDonough, says he’s had managing directors “jumping up and down” with excitement about the technology.
SEE Forge’s software aims to completely replace the paper notation system, with workers instead using the application on their mobile device to enter information while in the field.
The information is then sent and stored via the cloud and can be retrieved from staff in the office in real-time.
The software has only been in development for a little over a year, but a handful of the biggest resource and mining services companies are already involved in trials of the technology.
“Everyone’s going mobile and everyone’s talking about it,” Mr McDonough told WA Business News.
“But we’ve actually created a solution that people can touch, feel and play with.”
The software is hosted on the web, meaning staff in the office log-on through a secure website to access the information.
In addition, the mobile application loaded onto a field worker’s phone can capture the information without being connected to the internet, while underground for example, and it will be sent to the database as soon as a connection becomes available.
The technology has captured the interest of resources companies from a safety and operational perspective, but Mr McDonough said there was also a lot of interest from mining contractors who could use is as a point of competitive advantage.
The system is the result of Mr McDonough’s experience as a management consultant, during which time he observed similar problems across various companies and industries.
“People were sitting behind their desks and there were so many problems with them receiving quality and real-time information that we needed to solve,” Mr McDonough said.
Using mobile technology to capture the information was the obvious answer, but it took a partnership with software developer Chris Bjorkland and financial backing from Perth investor Charles Morgan to make it
a reality.
SEE Forge became incorporated late last year and now employs five full-time staff.
Mr McDonough said they had been “knocking on the door” of companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP for the past three or four months, drumming up interest in the product.
“The response has been fantastic,” he said.
“Going from a start-up business to getting in front of managing directors of major mining and resource companies is very exciting.”
The company is rolling-out trials of the product with several of the largest companies in the industry and expects to confirm contracts following the trials.
