Aussie puts safety first
Australian Pump Industries is being hailed as Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of high pressure cleaning equipment for the mining industry. They’re completely organic with machines designed at their 2 ½ acre Castle Hill head office and factory complex. They are a shining example of a successful Australian manufacturer who refused to go to third world countries for cheap product. They are ISO 9001 certified and have been successful in major projects for Defence, including both surface and submarine vessels. “You’ve got to know about quality and safety when you’re working with the Navy and Army”, said Aussie Pump’s Chief Engineer, John Hales. “Their demands are reflected by our quality system and our fanatical approach to designing pressure washers and cleaning systems that are at the pinnacle of OH & S standards”, he said.
Aussie learns the hard way
The company started building pressure cleaners almost 30 years ago. They were long on ambition and short on experience! Once they understood the danger of a pressure spike in a triplex pump that they decided to act. All high pressure pumps (from 1,000 psi upwards) can get a pressure spike if the unloader jams or fails, so Aussie learnt that the systems should be protected with a safety valve. “We realised to our amazement that we were the first people in the country to build safety valves in as standard”, said Hales. If a pressure spike occurs, or if the operator tries to increase the pressure of the pump by adjusting the unloader above the rating of that pump, the safety valve will blow off immediately. This protects the operator and the machine.
The safest and most elegant pressure cleaners in the world
When Aussie designed the first Scud machines the market was astonished. They were told by operators “Wow, it looks like a cross between a Bobcat and a Ferrari!” Featuring fully welded, ‘no sharps’ Scud frames, the world’s best pumps (‘Big Berty’ Bertolini triplex pumps), and what are all first world quality diesel engines from either Yanmar, Deutz or Kubota, the machines gained quick acceptance in the mining industry. The Aussie range of Scuds starts at 3,000 psi and goes all the way through to big 7,300 psi (500 bar) machines. It’s appropriate to point out here that Aussie is building machines up to 500 bar. They have on the drawing board 750 bar and 1,000 bar machines but are in no hurry to introduce these models until absolutely sure their designs are perfect and can be sold at a fair and competitive price. Bigger units, with more flow, are called the Aussie Extreme series. These machines come in heavy duty, hot dipped galvanised frames with fork tines accessible from all four sides. An integrated lift bar (careful strength calculations ensure the integrity of the frame) and Yanmar’s TNV series of water cooled diesel drives make the Extreme series ideal for tough applications. Machines feature big Recoila steel or stainless steel reels and heavy duty pumps that deliver up to 500 bar (7,300 psi) and flows up to 24 litres per minute.
Enter the mine boss
The full Aussie range of diesel powered machines are available in what they call Aussie Mine Spec. That means they are suited to applications on mine sites in terms of strength and the design of the full welded frames. They also feature E-stops, battery isolation, and top quality accessories and even a fire extinguisher. The Aussie Extreme series come with flashing safety beacons, bunded frames and dual pole battery isolators as standard. The company also focuses on mobile diesel drive steam cleaners as well. Their Aussie Hydroteks are well-known in the Coal Mining Industry for reliability and big performance. They are being used in the huge Ok Tedi Gold Mine in Tabubil in New Guinea to keep a big fleet of dozers and dump trucks cleaned and serviceable. Being able to operate a mobile Aussie Hydrotek steam cleaner on site, sometimes in the field where a breakdown has occurred, is a huge gift to the industry. The company preaches that using a lower performance machine in the 3000 psi, 15 litre per minute range will not produce the quality or speed of result that a big Hydrotek can give. The Aussie Hydrotek range are based on a 4,000 psi system delivering up to 20 litres per minute and 130°C steam. That means machines fall in the Class A safety classification under the Australian Safety Standards for operators. They are also available as Class B steam cleaners with pressures that go as high as 5,000 psi. They maximise operator efficiency while at the same time maintain high safety standards.
All Aussie machines are clearly identified by their safety classifications so mine managers and operators can make an informed choice.
Free safety training
The company offers a completely free online safety training course for high pressure operators worldwide. It’s a free education program about the applications of the AS/ NZS 4233.01 Safety Standard for High Pressure Jetting Operators. It also assists with understanding how a high pressure system works, hazard identification and minimisation, basic maintenance checks, and a guide to the selection of appropriate P.P.E. It’s a self driven course that can be done in about 20 minutes. Once successfully finished operators can apply for a certificate of completion.
Safe work under pressure
Aussie also supply detailed operators manuals for all their pressure cleaners that give loads of information. This includes a full Risk Assessment Schedule, information about maintenance and troubleshooting. All Aussie high pressure blasters and Jetters are fitted with comprehensive safety decals and where available QR codes for video instructions. Aussie is proud of the safety record of their machines. “We design and build machines as if we are going to use them ourselves,”.
Pro operator safety clothing
Aussie pioneered the introduction of Aussie Pro-Operator safety clothing. That full range of P.P.E. includes overalls, trousers, jackets, boots, gloves, even head protection with a 3,000 bar safety helmet and also includes high vis options. The helmet features a safety visor, hearing protectors, and has a comfortable, adjustable fit to suit all heads. Best of all it’s suitable for temperatures from -30°C to 150°C so the helmet will out survive the operator! “One of our most popular products is the protective apron. Operators using high pressure cleaners to clean flat surface areas need both the boots and the apron for optimum protection,” said Hales. “We recommend that everybody use gloves at all the times. You can’t take chances with safety,” he said. With Aussie Safe Operator clothing, critical sections are manufactured from Dyneema®. This is the worlds strongest fibre and is 15 times stronger that steel on a weight for weight basis. That makes it possible to give the operator high levels of protection from water jetting hazards with a material that is cooler, thinner and more flexible than traditional Kevlar type safety clothing. Operators really appreciate the comfort and high protection offered.
For further information on Aussie’s high pressure blasters, steam cleaners, Safe Operator P.P.E. range and their safety program contact Aussie Pumps today!
THEY TAKE SAFE WORK SERIOUSLY!
