July 2017

Cribbing and jacking blocks can take heavy loads

The Cribbing and Matting Company, one of industry’s leading suppliers of cribbing and matting products in the South East Asia region, including Australia and New Zealand, has added the proven Dura Crib Prime Cribbing Blocks to its comprehensive range of jacking blocks and stabilising tools. The lightweight, splinter-free, non-absorbent and environmentally sustainable Dura Crib Prime Cribbing Blocks are designed to be used whenever a person is working on or near a structure or work piece being stabilised in a wide range of industries, including mining, materials handling, building, construction and manufacturing. Engineered for maximum durability and tested under the guidance of Australian Standards to ensure optimum safety and risk management, the Dura Crib Prime Jacking and Cribbing Block is an excellent alternative to timber dunnage and blocks used in jacking and stabilising of heavy loads. Made from recycled plastic, the Dura Crib Prime Cribbing is not only far safer than timber, as it won’t splinter or rot, it is also great for the environment. The pyramid profiles on the two surfaces of the Dura Crib Prime Crib provide a secure base and top that can interlock at any angle, with the three side notches interlocking for ultra-secure stacking performance. The positive interlocking of the cribbing, by gravity and friction forces, produces excellent stability and load bearing capacity. The Dura Crib Prime Cribbing Block is certified load rated with a working load limit (WLL) of 60.8kg/cm2, with a maximum working load capacity 58,800kg. Exceptional for four point and nine point cribbing stacks, the cribbing offers stack load capacities of between 58,800kg and 132,000kg. The high performance Dura Crib range was developed to replace older, weaker wood cribbing systems with constant cracking and varying and unpredictable load-bearing capabilities. Not only is wood impossible to authenticate for Working Load Limit, wooden blocks require […]

Rio Tinto releases second quarter production results

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said “This was a solid quarter for production, including record output at our bauxite operations. Iron ore production was in line with last year, although iron ore shipments were impacted by an acceleration in our rail maintenance programme following poor weather in the first quarter. “We believe our focus on capital discipline, maximising cash flow from operations, driving productivity and portfolio shaping will continue to support the delivery of strong cash generation and shareholder returns.” Highlights Pilbara iron ore shipments were 77.7 million tonnes in the second quarter (100 per cent basis). Shipments were impacted by accelerated rail track maintenance. Iron ore shipments guidance for 2017 is around 330 million tonnes (previously 330 to 340 million tonnes). This takes into consideration first half production and further rail maintenance in the second half to improve track conditions. Record quarterly bauxite production of 12.9 million tonnes was seven per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2016, driven by strong production at Weipa and Gove. Third party shipments of 8.0 million tonnes were achieved in the second quarter. Mined copper production recovered compared to the previous quarter, however was six per cent lower than the second quarter of 2016 as Escondida continued to ramp up following a labour strike. Titanium dioxide slag production increased by 34 per cent compared to the second quarter of 2016, reflecting higher market demand. On 26 June 2017, Rio Tinto confirmed Yancoal Australia as its preferred buyer of Coal & Allied, after an improved offer from Yancoal of $2.69 billion. Rio Tinto shareholders have since approved the sale. The sale is expected to complete in the third quarter of 2017. All figures in this report are unaudited. All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto’s […]

Local manufacturing heads for extinction

Australia’s manufacturing level is the OECD’s lowest and the long-term decline of manufacturing here is atypical among comparable countries, new research shows. University of Queensland Institute for Social Science Research researcher Dr Jenny Povey said Australia lost 122,400 manufacturing jobs in the decade to 2015. Australia lost 122,400 manufacturing jobs in the decade to 2015. “The sector now accounts for only 7.1 per cent of Queensland jobs,” Dr Povey said. Manufacturing’s share of national employment dropped from 30.5 per cent in 1965 to 7.8 per cent now, according to the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union-commissioned study. “We can no longer hope to simultaneously outsource to countries with lower production costs and keep high-skill jobs here,” Dr Povey said. “Our research illustrates the decline in Australian manufacturing output is not typical and that Australia has the lowest share of manufacturing employment of any OECD country.” Dr Povey urged Australia’s federal and state governments to increase investment and intervention. “They should learn from Germany, if Australian manufacturing is to be saved,” she said. “The German government spends AUD$3.2 billion annually funding a network of research institutes to drive innovation, and their manufacturing sector contributes 22.6 per cent of GDP, underpinned by partnerships between researchers and industry. “The German model works to drive exports of manufactured goods and create jobs. “Manufacturing provides skills to other industries, and its decline will result in skills shortages in other industries, therefore a shift in Australia’s policy direction is required now. “Increased public procurement is an important facet of that change, and this research supports the notion that when we can make things in Australia, we should.” Economist and Australia Institute Centre for Future Work Director Dr Jim Stanford said the study supported research undertaken by his institute last year. “UQ’s report confirms the drop in manufacturing work is not normal or […]

Joint venture uses united technology to reach record heights

In the picture: One of the Haulotte boom lifts United rented to SBP-Retracom Joint Venture, to assist with the safe and efficient installation of insulated panels. In a Victorian cold storage project, an SBP Australia and Retracom joint venture has utilised United Forklift and Access Solutions’ safe and versatile access equipment in the construction of Australia’s highest insulated panel building, standing 38 metres tall. The New Cold 2 project in Truganina Victoria consists of a chilled warehouse with an adjacent despatch and packaging building, totalling 23,500m2. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, with nearly all external panels installed already. United telehandlers, straight booms and electric scissor lifts were used to install PIR insulated panels at various heights, including the apex of the roof, 38 metres high. “United have also been quick to respond to any issues, including service, maintenance and site challenges. This is a challenging project and we’ve had to work together to overcome different issues relating to the machinery, the site and the weather,” said Mr Bill Thompson, Project Manager, SBP-Retracom Joint Venture. “One issue that arose earlier this year is that a new set of site requirements was introduced requiring a crush bar to be configured onto all booms to protect the operator. United were straight onto it, and promptly replaced all booms that were not fitted with the crush bar with new machines that had one already fitted.” United Forklift and Access Solutions’ Rental Manager, Mr Jason Thompson, said United forged a productive partnership with the SPB-Retracom Joint Venture through a series of key initiatives tailored to their needs, including: Tailored lines of communication by way of a Dedicated Account Manager to handle all aspects of the account and to facilitate speed and ease of communication as per the client’s […]

Does the role of the engineer need to be re-imagined?

Engineers today face multiple, increasingly complex challenges. The need for future-proofed infrastructure, the impact of automation, intelligent buildings and new infra-technology to better design, build and manage our assets – will all require an extremely high level of innovation. Engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon’s focus has been on re-imagining engineering through leadership in design – and it’s a focus that has seen two of its engineers recognised on this years Engineers Australia’s ‘2017 Most Innovative Engineers list’. Tony Lavorato, Structural Technical Director at Aurecon, was recognised for his work on 5 Martin Place in the Building & Construction Category, while Stephen Logan, Design Director – Building Mechanical & Electrical (MEP) at Aurecon, was recognised in the Consulting Category for his work on Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Dr Kourosh Kayvani, Global Director – Excellence & Expertise at Aurecon, adds that Tony and Stephen’s outstanding work exemplifies Aurecon’s new and more thoughtful approach to re-imagining engineering through leadership in design. He says, “As the world becomes increasingly complex, ambiguous and volatile, creative and innovative design must underpin the way we frame and solve problems facing humanity and our environment. “We are re-imagining engineering, and we are steadfast in bringing this idea to life for our clients as a new brand of engineers and innovators.” The citations were awarded by Engineers Australia in recognition of engineers who have made noteworthy contributions to the community, the industry and the engineering profession. Engineers Australia, with over 100 000 members, is the largest and most diverse professional body for engineers in the country. Re-imagining a heritage building For Tony, out-of-the-box thinking paved the way to solving the unique challenge facing 5 Martin Place. “This project is by far the most complex in terms of engineering gymnastics of any building that I’ve ever been involved in. The ‘smarts’ […]