Major award for Trike replacement with MecWash aqueous cleaning system

The installation of a 'Midi' unit, from MecWash, has helped Clipsal, part of the Schneider Electrics Group, win the National Safety Council of Australian (NSCA) Award for 'Best Solution of an OHS&E Specific Workplace Risk'. Clipsal have also recently received a Certificate of Commendation for 'Injury Prevention, over 500 Employees' from Australian insurers. A key element of Clipsal's submission for both awards was the acknowledged risks of using Trichloroethylene (TCE) and how these were addressed by MecWash. A risk assessment, on the option to continue using TCE, identified some 21 high risks, and concluded it was neither morally nor economically justifiable to continue with the practice. Component cleaning to remove pressing lubricants, machining oils and metal particles is a vital operation in Clipsal's electrical switchgear production process, To replace TCE, four key criteria were identified: the new method should be safer for employees; it should not damage, rust or leave any detrimental residue; it should clean to a set standard and it should be cost effective – all requirements that the MecWash Midi achieved. "Clipsal has drawn attention to a number of key benefits resulting from the use of the Midi and our MecWash AC32 cleaning chemical. In particular, a reduction in the risk of swarf-related injuries, safer handling of tote bins, an elimination of rumbling operations and a reduction in power usage have all been noted. At the same time, the decision has eliminated the risk of solvent seepage to ground water – which is of particular relevance in a country where minimising water consumption and pollution is critical." says John Pattison, managing director at MecWash Systems. The MecWash installation uses two turnover units, that see bins of parts emptied and then themselves cleaned. An Aqua-Save 30, from the Aqua-Save Technologies Division of MecWash Systems, is also used and the recycling of waste wash water has dramatically reduced the need for disposal off-site. Image: Award winning team from Clipsal with the MecWash Midi component cleaning installation. (L to R) Damian Allen, Duncan Hurst, Shamsheer Shaik, Michael Barlow and Brett King.