Downer EDI Ltd, a leading provider of mining services, announced today that all royalties from sales of the innovative Remote Grease Pressure Release System will be donated to A Miner’s Legacy, a not-for-profit foundation that provides support and assistance to families of workers involved in fatal mine accidents.
The Remote Grease Pressure Release System, designed to eliminate the risk of high-pressure grease injection injuries, was developed in conjunction with Australian Diversified Engineering Pty Ltd.
ADE Manufacturing Manager, Daniel Kirk, said the key was to come up with a solution that would not create more work for the maintainers but make it as fast and easy as possible to eliminate the hazard of a pressure build-up – one of the most serious hazards to maintenance personnel on mine sites.
“Our research revealed that the usual protective equipment was not protecting maintainers from high-pressure injection injuries and the standard process of removing the hose from the nipple in the case of a blockage was intrinsically flawed and dangerous,” Mr Kirk said.
“The solution is our remote-operated wireless transmitter that can be activated up to 50 metres from the service truck to release the build-up of pressure.
“It can be retrofitted to existing systems and has already been installed at nine mine sites across Australia with great results.”
The game-changing impact of the Remote Grease Pressure Release System was recognised by the resources industry at last year’s Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference, when this potentially life-saving invention was awarded Highly Commended in the conference’s Innovation Awards.
Not only does the system provide a solution to a serious safety problem, but Downer has decided to donate its royalties from the sale of each system to A Miner’s Legacy – which currently exceed $7000.
Downer’s Executive General Manager Peter Connor said donating Downer’s royalties to A Miner’s Legacy aligned perfectly with Downer’s commitment to promoting Zero Harm in the mining industry.
“Rather than profiting from a system that will make working on site safer, we are happy to donate our royalties to A Miner’s Legacy to help them continue to spread the word that there is nothing more important than going home unharmed to your loved ones at the end of your shift,” Mr Connor said.
A Miner’s Legacy co-founder Mark Parcell welcomed the initiative.
“Not only is it a solution to a significant hazard, it is now commercially available and the profits help benefit people who really need the support,” he said.
“A Miner’s Legacy appreciates the generous donation from Downer but, more importantly, acknowledges the commitment that Downer is making to provide a safe workplace for its employees.”
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