Media Statements - Fremantle drainage system rewarded by Minister with WorkSafe Award

18/12/00

Labour Relations Minister Cheryl Edwardes has presented a Fremantle company with a WorkSafe Award for developing a new drainage system.

Local firm Hi-Flo Systems Pty Ltd’s new commercial invention, called the Reo-Drain, has the potential to make a significant impact on workplace safety and productivity in the building and construction industries.

The Reo-Drain system provides an alternative approach to installing a concrete leach drain and is much lighter to handle (a total of 260kg) in comparison to a concrete drain (up to 10.72 tonnes).

“One of the biggest advantages of this system for occupational safety and health is that the system and all its components are lightweight, so back and associated manual handling injuries can be radically reduced,” Mrs Edwardes said.

“In addition, the system only has to be handled once, as opposed to the concrete system which has to be unloaded, constructed and installed in three separate processes. So this invention can help increase productivity and reduce time quite drastically.”

The State Health Department approved the Reo-Drain in February this year.

The WorkSafe Award is a State Government initiative to promote safety and health in WA workplaces, and is presented for outstanding achievement within the workplace in designing, developing, introducing or implementing a new or innovative:

safety and health procedure/s;
work system/s;
plant;
equipment; and -
environmental change/s that significantly reduce the risks of workplace injury and disease.

For more information on occupational safety and health, refer to the WorkSafe Western Australian website at http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9421 7777