The Automatic Wagon Vibrator was judged a winner in the 2006 Queensland Work Safe Awards last month in the category of Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue.

The winning BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) Hay Point team developed the piece of equipment in connection with Queensland Rail in response to the ongoing problem of coal sticking in train wagons when the bottom doors opened.

Hay Point port manager Sam Bonanno said the coal was previously loosened with the aid of manual jackhammering on the sides of wagons, exposing employees to noise stress as well as potential back, neck and shoulder injuries.

“By combining the expertise and knowledge of BMA people and other specialists, we were able to come up with a technical solution to a sticky problem, and eliminate the risk in the process,” he said.

“The award recognises the determination and effort of the team at Hay Point Coal Terminal in designing, testing and implementing the project over a number of years.”

The award was presented to BMA at a ceremony on October 25 by Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel.