OMCSA Innovation Award EntryMarch 2012

“THE RERAILER BAR”

THE RERAILER BAR A long standing problem in track

mining is the rerailing of locis, motors and cars. There have been an untold number of injuries to miners while rerailing equipment.

Following two such injuries Dumas decided there had to be a better way.

Traditionally, rerailing is a 5 step procedure.

First is to jack the unit up so the wheels clear the track,

Secondly block the unit at that height.

Traditional Method

Step One – Jack unit up

Step Two – Block unit up

The third step is to jack the unit over until the wheels are aligned with the track.

The fourth step is to jack the unit up again in order to remove the blocking

Lastly, the fifth step is to remove the blocking and lower the unit, hoping the wheels line up with the tracks.

Traditional Method

Step Three – Block unit up

Step Four – Jack unit over

Step Five – Jack up, remove blocks and lower

This conventional method involves obtaining the blocking and planking which can be far away from the derailed unit. Hazards of this method include handling heavy and awkward timbers which have to be carried and placed under the unit. The primary hazards are strains and pinch points.

This traditional method is both high risk and time consuming.

There is a better way and that is what Dumas is sharing today.

It is a technology first observed on one of our Quebec projects. One of our site S&T Coordinators travelled to Quebec to see it.

The Coordinator returned with basic

information which we then brought to our engineers who matched the design to the equipment used at the project.

Details such as mounting tab locations, proper lifting device and rigging were worked out through trial and error with engineering oversight.

Stand up the bar and estimate length of chain to reach anchor point.

Connect chain to anchor point so that rerailer bar leans slightly in direction that you want to move unit over.

Obtain come-along from loci.

Connect come-along between rerailer bar and loci with load chain and sling.

Action come-along until unit moves onto track. Two set ups may be required if unit is excessively far from track.

Once unit is on track; remove and store come-along, then disconnect rerailer and store on loci.

Fabrication drawing for rerailer bar.

EVALUATION OF RISK/HAZARD ELIMINATED“E” – Occasional Lost Time InjuryPRACTICALITYWorks very well as demonstrated in the video.ORIGIONALITYThis device is an improvement on an existing idea but we believe it is the first time it has been engineered and applied this effectively.IRS COMPATABILITYThis was an example of IRS excellence. It started with our workers who brought the idea to frontline supervision who acted and supported the workers in bringing the idea to fruition and successful application in the workplace. POPULATION BENEFITThis idea is of benefit to 100% of the workforce using track equipment at the project. It benefits our employees as well as the mine owner’s employees. It will benefit many others after this presentation is shared which includes providing a fabrication drawing of the bar.

WHEN IN DOUBT….STOP ….AND LOOK AROUND

• IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS

• ASSESS THE RISKS

• CONTROL THE RISKS

• RESUME WORK ONLY WHEN RISK IS LOW

• TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER DOWN THERE & REMEMBER THAT AT DUMAS THE GOAL IS

ZERO HARM