Aussie Pumps, Australia’s leading manufacturer of high pressure water blasting equipment has released a new range of high pressure protection clothing. Designed for use with pressure cleaners up to 7300 psi (500 bar), Aussie’s new “Safe Operator” range could dramatically cut professional pressure cleaning injuries and reduce fatalities in the industry.
“Familiarity breeds contempt,” said Aussie Pumps’ Product Safety Manager, Martine Musumeci. “We’ve all seen council employees, tradies and even professional high pressure cleaning contractors working without steel cap boots, let alone serious protection equipment,” she said.
The “Safe Operator” range ties in with Aussie Pumps’ training program for operators. “Aussie Safe Operator is all about protecting operators from the very real dangers of high pressure water use,” said Musumeci. “With the Safe Operator range we’ve stepped away from the traditional high pressure kevlar suits and have used a revolutionary new material. Called Dyneema, the material is more comfortable, lightweight and relatively inexpensive,” she explained.
The range of Aussie “Safe Operator” clothing includes overalls, jackets, trousers and aprons. They owe their comfort and lightweight to the use of a Dyneema, claimed to be the world’s strongest fibre. Because Dyneema is fifteen times stronger than steel on a weight for weight basis, it’s possible to make fabric that is lightweight whilst at the same time offering levels of protection not previously available.
The new Aussie “Safe Operator” gear is much thinner and more flexible than traditional materials, like leather, cotton or metals. Operators find it comfortable to wear and not clumsy like other high pressure rated suits.
“Considering that ninety percent of all professional pressure cleaning is carried out in the range of under 500 bar (that’s 7300psi), operators using machines in the 2000 psi to 7300 psi range can now be protected and safe,” said Musumeci.
The Aussie “Safe Operator” clothing comes lined for maximum comfort. It also offers waterproof zippers with overlapping flaps and integrated underarm ventilation. Detachable hoods are standard on jackets and overalls and both products feature adjustable waterproof cuffs and pockets.
Trousers are designed with the operator in mind and offer an elasticized waist and reinforced knee areas.
Dyneema’s unique properties mean that the clothing can be machine washed at up to 40 degrees Celsius. “Our ”Safe Operator” clothing and training system is aimed at reducing injuries, cutting downtime and, of course, reducing costs,” said Musumeci. “Workers compensation claims can be slashed, injuries avoided and operators made to feel secure while on the job”
“We look for comfort, function and, above all, safety” she went on to say, “and our research has shown that operators perform better when they’re feeling confident and safe”
There will be a new range of 500 bar (7300 psi) proof gloves available from Aussie Pumps soon as part of the “Safe Operator” program.
Protect your operators with the “Aussie Safe Operator” program by contacting Aussie Pumps on 02 8865 3500.
