L to R: Haydn Charlton, Mat Loone and Mark Richardson have developed and designed a vac truck snorkel. The snorkel eliminates a potential serious health and safety issue in relation to the operation of a vac truck to pump out pits and pump wells which are often confined spaces.
TasWater employees have taken home multiple gongs at this weekend’s Tasmanian WorkSafe awards.
TasWater took out awards for three categories and additionally the overall prize. Categories and winners were:
• Haydn Charlton, Mathew Loone and Mark Richardson – Best Workplace Health & Safety Initiative Award
• Greg Slore – Workplace Health and Safety Leadership Award
• TasWater’s Health & Being Program – Beyond Compliance Award.
“Our award winning entry for the Best Workplace Health and Safety Initiative Award is a new invention that not only makes it easier to clear blocked drains, but also guards against work place injuries,” CEO, Michael Brewster, said.
The new invention of a snorkel designed by a team of three water and sewerage staff in Launceston eliminates work hazards when using a suction cleaner to empty sewer lines.
TasWater crew members are required to get down into pits and wells to manoeuvre a vacuum hose, operators find the work in confined spaces challenging and potentially dangerous.
In looking for a safer way to perform the task, operators developed and designed a vac truck snorkel which eliminates the need for someone to enter the confined space.
It is now operational in TasWater’s Launceston works area and plans are in place to patent the snorkel and extend its use state wide.
“The development of the snorkel is a good example of how crews on the ground have the skills and insight into the work they do. The team have identified an issue and developed a responsible solution,” Mr Brewster said.
“It’s also an example of how TasWater’s business wide philosophy of Zero Harm can influence all areas of our work.”
“I am immensely proud of the contribution our staff have made to the development of this snorkel and hope it will become an integral part of equipment used across the water and sewage industry,” he said.
Laura Verdouw, TasWater
