Komatsu approach to quarry safety earns national award

Marubeni-Komatsu Ltd (MKL) have received an award for their contribution to cutting quarry accidents as part of the quarrying industry’s 2000–2005 ‘Hard Target’ initiative, which has seen a 52% reduction in reportable injuries.

The ‘Hard Target’ was established in 2000 by the Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee (QNJAC) to drive down injuries, and the success of the scheme was celebrated at an event staged at the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in London at the end of last year.

As a supplier of a wide range of mobile plant used in quarrying applications, MKL are committed to the initiative and were in attendance at the event to receive an award from the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) for the development of walkways and safety railing systems for the Komatsu range of excavators.

In designing the new approach to access and egress, MKL listened to the needs of end-users and worked closely with a leading Australian access system manufacturer to come up with a solution that is being widely specified by quarrying companies.

As well as fixed walkways and railings, the system features hydraulic steps that can be lowered for access and egress, and safely stowed when not in use. The award was presented for the use of the system on excavators, although similar systems are available for Komatsu wheel loaders, bulldozers, articulated dump trucks and rigid dump trucks – all of which comply with QNJAC guidelines.

Allen Smith, director/general manager of Marubeni-Komatsu, who attended the event and spoke on the subject of ‘Designing for the Future’, received the award from Hugh Robertson, Commissioner of the HSC. Mr Smith said: ‘It is pleasing to see the [Hard Target] ini-tiative bear fruit with a significant reduction in quarrying injuries and we hope that this success continues as it moves into its next stage where a further 50% reduction in injuries is the target by 2010.

‘Health and safety is fundamental to the design approach at Marubeni-Komatsu and we are delighted that our designs appear to be exactly what the quarrying industry is looking for.  The award, and the recognition from the HSC, is the icing on the cake.’

For further information on the Komatsu product range, contact Marubeni-Komatsu on tel: (01527) 512512; fax: (01527) 512507.