Labom transmitters approved for Queensland mines
Labom pressure transmitters, considered best practice for safety and reliability in the mining industry, have been officially approved by SIMTARS for use in Queensland mines.
The Labom CB2031 and 1031 transmitters have been used for many years in NSW to control hydraulic pressure systems powering longwall machinery at underground coal mines.
The transmitters are German engineered, have an optional electrical M12 connection and, as fully sealed devices, they are virtually water-proof.
Ivan Oakes, Instrumentation Manager at FITT Resources, said that following a 2010 incident in NSW, waterproof transmitters have become imperative to mining operations throughout Australia.
Director of Mine Safety Operations Branch Industry and Investment in NSW, Rob Regan, released Safety Alert SA10-01 following the incident involving a longwall hydraulic system becoming over-pressurised. This problem resulted in catastrophic failure of hydraulic isolation valves causing an uncontrolled release of fluid under a high pressure.
According to Mr Regan, the failure was due to the system’s pressure transducer being contaminated by water.
“Incidents such as this have the potential for fatal injuries as was the case in 2006 when a catastrophic high pressure hydraulic failure resulted in the death of a contractor. Risks must be mitigated at all costs,” said Mr Oakes.
Labom transmitters are encased in a solid stainless steel housing making them corrosion-free and protected from water contamination, as well as being resistant to the rough and tumble environment of the underground mine.
“The Labom transmitters are tough, reliable, reduce downtime and outlast almost any other transmitter on the market,” said Mr Oakes.
Distributed by FITT Resources in Australia, the Labom range brings a safe alternative to the market, and will now be an industry standard throughout Queensland.