ASEMA International (Victoria)
Category 3: Best workplace and safety practices in small business
ASEMA International is a mechanical engineering consultancy located in Ballarat. It provides design solutions for all mechanical disciplines ranging from industrial to automotive and encompassing all aspects of engineering. ASEMA's employees specialise in heavy industry, rolling-stock, automotive, structural and electrical.
ASEMA used its expertise in consultation with the plastering industry and university research to develop a new product; the pneumatic ‘fail-safe’ plaster lifter. This product removes major risks faced by plasterers, the majority of which are small businesses themselves. For many high cost risk controls are out of reach, hence many teams used to place plasterboards on their heads in potentially precarious circumstances where careful balance and suspension methods can fail and cause serious injuries such as musculoskeletal disorders.
The University of Ballarat researched and identified risks associated with the plaster fixing industry following deaths and injuries from falls from heights, manual handling and manoeuvring tasks. The device which was created not only improves safety, but results in demonstrable productivity as well.
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Page last updated: 03/05/2007