Central Queensland miner Maehe Austin spent three years developing the Austin's Support and Equipment (ASE) vest. Now market-ready, one Queensland mine has already taken the vest on as a stock item and others are currently trialing them. All miners now wearing the ASE vests are reportedly happy with the change.

 

Since wearing his own design, Austin has noticed vast changes in comfort, with more freedom of movement and less body fatigue. Austin now finds it a lot easier to perform his duties over a 12-hour shift and finish without his body feeling "flogged out."

 

The new design aims to alleviate the problems associated with wearing conventional mining belts. For many these include muscle fatigue, pinched nerves, lower back and hip problems, chafing and bruising on hips, poor circulation to legs, and poor posture.

 

These symptoms have only been exacerbated by an increase in the required equipment most miners take underground, which typically includes a cap-lamp battery and self-rescuer. Other devices may include gas monitors, personnel location tags and even intrinsically safe hand-held computers may soon be available. This is without any actual working tools that may be required for manual labour jobs.

 

In addition, at many mines shift hours have gotten longer, placing even more strain on miners’ backs.

 

“Having been involved in the industry for over 20 years, I’ve always wanted a better system for carrying my equipment and tools, to make the load more bearable,” Austin said.

 

Statistically, back injuries account for a major proportion of lost working days, not only in mining. Austin believes only about a quarter of these injuries are related to direct lifting. Most companies, though, focus preventive efforts on reducing the weights being lifted and educating on correct lifting techniques.

 

“Over reaction of the muscles when stressed from bending, stretching, pulling, pushing, twisting and turning often triggers the majority of back injuries. These injuries are usually caused from stress placed on already fatigued back muscles and lack of proper support for the lower back,” he said.

 

The ASE vest design aims to redistribute weight over the upper body and incorporates padded shoulders and padded hips to prevent bruising/chafing by rubbing and knocking of self rescuer and battery.

 

Heavy-duty mesh, hard wearing but breathable, allows for pouches to be attached to the vest. It has metal o-rings on the front for securing locks and safety clips and a cap lamp securing tab to minimize the risk of snagging or being caught in equipment.

 

The vest has been designed to be highly visible, and various pouches and pockets offer a way of carrying equipment and instruments as well as redistributing weight and congestion.

 

Optional features include a padded self rescuer pouch to prevent knocks while working in confined areas. This also reduces unintentional opening or damage of units.

 

A lumbar support belt provides additional lower back support for workers doing a lot of lifting, though the vest in itself is supportive. A hydration pack ensures water is always on hand.

 

Austin and his wife Debra recently set up a company called Austintech to supply the belt to the mining industry and are seeking possible distributors, both in Australia and internationally.

 

“If the ASE vest is worn in conjunction with correct lifting techniques and commonsense precautions, the frequency and degree of back injuries may be reduced, leading to a reduction in the millions of dollars in work time and compensation lost annually,” Austin said.