An innovative system for handling heavy tooling has been created to improve safety and efficiency when handling rattle guns and pneumatic torque guns. The systems takes the load of the tool reduces the incidence of operator sprains and strains during heavy tasks.
Otraco worked with Australian engineering company HMS Group 3Arm to develop the support tool after identifying that there had to be a better way of handling heavy tools.
Otraco said that ‘The changing of rims and tyres hasn’t altered for over 30 years, despite increases in truck size and tyre size, and the massive increase in the weight of tools used. “
‘The practice of tyre fitting is also highly dangerous, with the potential for pinch-point injuries and repetitive strain injuries over the long-term. At Otraco we wanted to find a better way’
‘We knew that if we could support the weight of tools like the rattle gun which weighs up to 10kg and the pneumatic torque gun which weighs around 20kg we could make wheel replacement easier, safer and open to a wider range of workers giving us the diversity onsite that we know makes for a better workplace’
Otraco said it collaborated with onsite teams to harness the working knowledge from maintaining and changing wheel assemblies on some of the largest haul trucks. Some have up to 72 individual wheel nuts and tools were often held above heads or sometimes
The tool improves tyre maintenance by eliminating the need for tyre fitters to manually handle heavy tooling such as rattle guns and torque guns. It’s revolutionising the way Otraco fits tyres and it’s delivering significant safety improvements.
Otraco says that the system benefits have been:
- Takes the weight of tools reducing fatigue and potential injury.
- Removes operator’s hands from dangerous pinch zones.
- Easier to operate attracting a diverse workforce.
- Reduced repetitive strain injuries from minimising the transfer o vibration to operators leading to long-term health benefits.
AMSJ believes the system may have wider benefits across maintenance applications in the industry.
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