World first

24 THIESS l quarterly news l VOLUME 3 l 2006

Used heavily in the transport industry, the system helps to reduce road incidents involving driver fatigue.

Thiess’ Alliance Safety Manager Dave Henry said driver fatigue can have the same effects as a 0.5 alcohol reading and is an important issue for the mining industry.

“Optalert™ monitors driver fatigue by using a micro processor attached to a pair of glasses. The system works by reading movement of the eye and eyelid,” Dave said.

“The system has two levels of alerting the driver to impending fatigue. The first alert is an alarm informing a driver to rest. The second alert

then stops the operating machine until another driver takes over or a rest period occurs,” he said.

“We are currently refining the system in conjunction with the world’s largest glasses manufacturer, UVEX©, so it’s more conducive to a mining environment.

“The system is currently fitted in six trucks, which means 18 staff are trialling this new technology. Feedback so far is very encouraging with many users reporting significant advantages with this technology,” he said.

“Although fatigue and alertness is a people-management issue, technology can play a

large role. If Optalert™ can help us to reduce the risk of driver fatigue, then this will be an important milestone for the mining industry,” Dave said.

Dr Murray Johns of Sleep Diagnostics founded the Optalert™ technology in Victoria.

WMC Resources Ltd and BHP Billiton have operated the Mount Keith Operation since 1994 and Thiess has been involved with the project’s mining and heavy vehicle maintenance since 2003.

Thiess has just signed a new three year contract with BHP Billiton that will extend this alliance into 2009.

Keeping an eye on the future In an effort to reduce fatigue related incidents, a new management system, Optalert™, is being trialled in a world first at the BHP Billiton Mount Keith Operation,

north of Kalgoorlie in WA.

Increasing demand for electrical services in the mining sector has prompted Thiess Services to offer its electrical power line construction and maintenance expertise to mining clients.

Announcing its mine site capability at the Queensland Mining and Engineering Expo (QME

2006), Thiess Services’ Queensland Electrical Division has built upon its proven expertise in the industry, and is already recognised as a service provider of choice with Ergon Energy and Energex across Queensland.

Services include distribution line works and live line maintenance,

Electrical services for the mining sector

supported by a custom-built fleet and equipment for the efficient installation and maintenance of power poles. Our staff are available to quickly service projects almost anywhere in Queensland, with offices and depots in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Optalert™ monitors driver fatigue by using a micro processor attached to a pair of glasses.