April 2014
for immediate release
Redpath Mining Contractors and Engineers influence industry safety
through design innovation.
At the annual Workplace Safety North conference, held in Sudbury, Ontario, April 4-10, J.S.
Redpath Limited earned top honours in the juried line-up of industry safety innovation awarded
annually by the Ontario Mining Contractors’ Safety Association. Redpath’s winning solution is a
redesign of the platform trap door entrance on a mechanized raise climber.
Traditionally, mechanized raise climber (MRC) personnel entered
the upper platform through a hatched door by way of a congested
opening and a ladder-way not lending itself to the best ergonomic
design due to the lack of proper handholds once the worker
passed through the trap door opening at the platform. The
potential risks of this entrance system included pinch points to
hands, lack of 3-point contact for ladder climbing possibly
resulting in slips and falls; poor miner posture potentially resulting
in musculoskeletal injury, and the inadvertent moving of the raise
climber due to the worker’s tendency to step on the operating
control mechanism. Redpath’s recognition of these potential
hazards has led to a design innovation expected to be adopted by
the industry at large.
Redpath’s Mechanized Raising Area Superintendent, Gary
Gagain, alongside MRC Shop Foreman, Wayne Boucher and
Welder Millwright, Jack Sikora, have over 60 years combined
experience with the company. This experienced trio defined the
areas for improvement upon the MRC and began incorporating
engineered alterations to Redpath’s work platforms manufactured
in the Timmins, Ontario, mechanical shop complex. The
development lasted nearly 2 years and was completed in spring
2014 including both shop and field testing before being formally
adopted.
The winning innovation now provides a physically enlarged opening of the platform access. This
enlargement is a more comfortable allowance for mining personnel outfitted with complete
personal protective equipment. Also, “In the event of emergency, this larger gateway quickly
facilitates deck access for rescue personnel wearing bulky breathing apparatus and porting
equipment.” stated Denis Beaudoin, Secretary-Treasurer and 17 year veteran of the Ontario
Mining Contractors’ Safety Association. “This MRC innovation is expected to be adopted by
others.” added Beaudoin.
In addition to the expanded door way, the hatch door is now outfitted with a double stop
mechanism; the first hitches the door to prevent potential slamming down on workers’ hands
and the second soundly vertically locks the door and doubles as an extension of the cage ladder
rungs to ensure 3-point contact for the raise miner’s safe climb to and from the deck. This
provision also eliminates the need for miners to reach and seek personal climbing support from
near-by equipment, hose work, safety chains - - components not designed to withstand the
weight of personnel.
This engineered design is also expected to influence the entry systems on galloways in
Redpath’s shaft sinking practices.
(left to right) Bruce Fraser, Chairman of the Ontario Mining Contractors’ Safety Association and Redpath’s Manager
of Health, Safety and Environment, presents the distinguished trophy to Gary Gagain and Jack Sikora at the WSN
Conference in Sudbury.
In the same category at the awards ceremony in Sudbury, PT Redpath Indonesia received
honourable mention for their innovative design of a self-supporting stop mechanism for on-site
job boxes. This ratcheted stopper prevents box lids from potentially collapsing on workers and
increases efficient access to box contents.
Additionally, Redpath was the recipient of a WSN 2013 Workplace Excellence Award. Eligibility
for the award includes effectiveness of Management Responsibility and Commitment, Joint
Health & Safety Committees, Workplace Inspections, Health & Safety initiatives, to name a few.
This award was proudly accepted on behalf of all Redpath employees by Redpath’s
Superintendent of Health and Safety, Roberta Spicer, and Gerry Goodale, Area Manager for
Shaft Safety and Training.
(left to right) Candys Ballanger-Michaud, President and CEO of Workplace Safety North, presents to Redpath’s Roberta Spicer and
Gerry Goodale.
Further conference details: http://www.workplacesafetynorth.ca/subsite/mining-health-andsafety-conference
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High resolution imagery: [email protected]
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Having performed work in more than 30 countries since 1962, The Redpath Group provides
comprehensive services and experienced mine development with an international team of highly skilled
professionals committed to safety and quality. The company is renowned for meeting all challenges and
delivering practical innovative solutions. Offices are located in: AUSTRALIA – Brisbane and Perth;
CANADA – North Bay, Red Lake, Rouyn-Noranda, Sudbury and Timmins; CHILE - Santiago; GERMANY
– Dortmund; INDONESIA – Jakarta and Tembagapura; MONGOLIA – Ulaanbaatar; SOUTH AFRICA –
Johannesburg; UNITED STATES – Reno; ZAMBIA – Lusaka.