SubscribeMarubeni-Komatsu has received an award for its contribution to cutting quarry accidents as part of the quarrying industry’s 2000-2005 ‘Hard Target’ initiative which has seen a 52 percent reduction in reportable injuries.
Hard Target was established in 2000 by the Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee (QNJAC) to drive down injuries and the success of the scheme was celebrated at an event staged at the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in London at the end of last year.
As a supplier of a wide range of plant equipment used in quarrying applications, Marubeni-Komatsu is committed to the initiative and was delighted to receive an award from the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) for the development of walkways and safety railing systems for the Komatsu range of excavators.
Marubeni-Komatsu listened to the needs of users in designing the new approach to improving access and egress, working closely with one of Australia's access system manufacturers to come up with a solution which is being widely specified by quarrying companies.
As well as fixed walkways and railings, the system features hydraulic steps which can be lowered to enable the operator to climb into the cab and then safely stowed.
The award was for the use of the system in excavators, however, similar systems have been designed and are available for Komatsu wheel loaders, bulldozers, articulated dump trucks and rigid dump trucks - all of which comply with QNJAC guidelines.
Allen Smith, Director/General Manager of Marubeni Komatsu, who attended the event and spoke on the subject of 'Designing for the Future', received the award from Hugh Robertson, Commissioner of the HSC.
Mr Smith commented - "It is pleasing to see the initiative bear fruit with a significant reduction in quarrying injuries and we hope that this success continues as it moves into its next stage where a further 50 percent reduction in injuries is the target by 2010.
Health and safety is fundamental to the design approach at Marubeni-Komatsu and we are delighted that our designs appear to be exactly what the quarrying industry is looking for. The award and the recognition from the HSC is the icing on the cake."
20/01/2006
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