Century safety solutions recognised at Health and Safety conference

Two safety solutions developed at Century were recognised as some of the best in the industry at the Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference this week.

The Windrow Delineator, an innovation by Century's Mine Maintenance team, received the Highly Commended Award at the Conference's Innovation Awards last night. The device improves visibility for heavy vehicle operators at night by clearly illuminating the edge of in-pit roads.

In keeping with the theme of this year's Conference, 'Simple Designs to Complex Problems', it is the simplicity of the Windrow Delineator's design that makes it so effective.

Century Mine Maintenance Manager Rod Dugmore, who was on hand to receive the award on behalf of the project team, said that it was the simple design of the Windrow Delineator that made it so effective.

“Safety is always our priority at Century so once my team had identified the problem – a need to improve visibility of in-pit roads for heavy vehicle machinery operators at night – we set about developing an effective solution.

“We needed a device that illuminated the edges of in-pit roads that could also be easily installed on windrows, regardless of size and shape of the windrow.

“With its adjustable arms that hug the sides and rest on top of windrows, the Windrow Delineator provides excellent visibility for heavy vehicle operators. Its design also means that the device cannot be covered by a built up of rock or dirt.”

Mr Dugmore said that he was proud of his team for developing the device, which will be progressively rolled out on in-pit roads at the Century.

“I am very proud of my team and the work that they put into developing a device that improves safety while addressing the causes of tyre damage.

"We are also confident that due to its simple design, the Windrow Delineator, can be used at other mining operations or even outside the industry to help improve visibility for heavy vehicle operators."

“We have a long history of innovation  to improve safety – our Start-Up Lighting Plant took out the Innovation Award at the 2008 Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference and our Auto Start Lighting Plant was a finalist at last year’s Awards. We will continue to look for ways to improve safety with innovations that are not only applicable for Century but throughout the industry.

Rosa Burns, Training Team Leader, also presented her discussion paper on how the MDG41 Guidelines could be used to improve hydraulic hose safety practices at the Conference. There was extensive interest in Rosa's presentation, with Century leading the way in promoting the safe use of hydraulic hoses - which have the potential to cause serious injury - in the Queensland resources industry.

Century General Manager Karl Spaleck said that these were excellent examples of the hard work being undertaken at Century to improve health and safety.

"Safety is our priority at Century and our team works hard to keep raising the bar. These innovations have clear safety benefits for the broader Queensland Mining Industry and I am proud of Rosa, Rod and his Mine Maintenance team and the fact that they have been recognised for their commitment and innovation.

"The clear benefits of the windrow Delineators means that it could also be used at other MMG sites to improve safety and reduce tyre damage."