The shuttle car tyre handler received the highly commended award at this year’s NSW Minerals Council Mine Safety Innovation awards.

The innovation resulted from a 2004 study which showed the leading cause of shuttle car injury at Xstrata Coal was associated with maintenance activities.

No safe handling tools are provided to change shuttle car tyres – which weigh more than 700kg.

Beltana’s solution was developed using the expertise of its tradespeople, engineers and a local engineering firm.

Initially the problem was put to the development crew who came back with the concept of an Eimco attachment. The concept was refined during a risk assessment and then sent to an engineering company for drawing.

The prototype was reviewed by the development crews and various onsite engineers where further modifications were made and the prototype was certified before testing.

An operational risk assessment was conducted and the attachment was trialled on the surface. A training package and assessment were then developed and all crews were trained.

A post-implementation review was also conducted to gather feedback on the new tool.

The innovation means that the tyre is now fully supported during removal and installation and the handler now has a safe means of transporting tyres around the site.

Another added benefit is the handler allows the vertical and lateral shift functionality of the Eimco to be utilised for aligning the tyre during installation, reducing the time to replace the tyre.

Beltana said the idea could also be used in other underground operations. A successful trial has already occurred for handling Eimco 130 tyres and Beltana believes the handler could be made to suit any medium/heavy sized industrial vehicles.

Beltana said it had been approached by an original equipment manufacturer for information on the tyre handler to fabricate handlers for other operations. The mine has also had interest from other operations.