Dragline project improves safety

A dragline improvement project that reduces downtime, saves costs and removes the need for maintenance crews to work 70 metres off the ground has been implemented at Hail Creek Mine.

Field Maintenance Superintendent Scott Verrall and his team identified the recurring task of repairing the dragline intermediate sheave and bobbins as costly and unsafe, and set about redesigning them.

"The intermediate sheaves and bobbins are components on top of the dragline boom between boom point and fairlead through which the hoist ropes are fed," Scott said.

"We found these components were cracking, causing wear and tear on the rope. To repair them, maintenance crew members had to work out of a crane supported man box about 70 metres off the ground.

"This posed a significant safety risk and required getting into awkward positions, often in adverse conditions."

The project involved designing a cassette that increased the material thickness and supported the intermediate sheave, and replacing the bobbins by using a single poly sleeved cylindrical roller to prevent wear and tear.

"Scott and his team have virtually eliminated the need for the maintenance teams to do repairs in between planned shut downs, which is much safer," Maintenance Manager Steve Dansie said.

"The improvements will also save more than $200,000 a year in maintenance costs associated with deploying a crane to site, replacing materials and labour.
"Well done to everyone involved in this worthwhile, value-adding project."