Diacon Australia’s conveyor guard system is taking the hassle out of maintenance.
Conveyors can be fickle beasts, with falling rock and hazardous materials causing all manner of issues that need to be addressed quickly and effectively.
For any conveying application at a mine site, steel conveyor guards have long been accepted as the go-to standard. But Diacon Australia is on a mission to shift that status quo through its high-quality plastic alternative that delivers significant benefits beyond protecting workers.
Unlike traditional steel guarding solutions, the Diacon conveyor system uses a light-weight plastic mesh to provide corrosion-free guarding. The system has been making waves in the mining and resources sectors since it was launched in 2010.
“We are really proud of the contributions and advancements Diacon has made,” Diacon managing director Brendan Refalo told Safe to Work.
“The features of our comprehensive conveyor improvement system – the Diacon hungry board, Diacon safety panel, Diacon conveyor guards and Diacon hoods – collectively enhance workplace safety and productivity through one unique solution.
“Our products are 100 per cent Australian-owned, manufactured to the highest quality and developed to handle the harshest of work environments. It’s why we’re the trusted suppliers and industry leaders of plastic guarding systems.”
Diacon Australia’s conveyor guard system has a number of key benefits:
- Easy to install, remove and maintain
- Quality build, strong in structure
- Customisable to any specifications
- One hundred per cent corrosion-free
- Up to four times lighter than steel
- Sound-deadening qualities
- Safer during operations and maintenance periods
- Long-life UV protection
- Cost-effective custom labelling
- No need to paint
- Australian made and owned
These features have led to Diacon becoming a leader in conveyor guarding, but it’s the system’s ‘hook, hang and lock’ mechanism that is changing the maintenance game.
“The guards are simple to install,” Refalo said. “They mount on custom-made bosses attached to brackets and have a unique slide-lock system that locks the guard into position, in accordance with Australian safety standards.”
The slide-lock mechanism is captive within the guard, so it can’t get lost or come free and fall, a critical feature as conveyor belts are often high above ground.
“When the guards are removed from the mounting system, they can actually be hung on a nearby handrail,” Refalo said. “When most workers see this for the first time, they think, ‘How easy is that?’, and it keeps the guard off the ground ensuring it doesn’t become a trip hazard.”
Being able to store the guards on handrails during maintenance is one of the system’s most important features.
Where heavy steel guards can become a liability when it comes time for conveyor maintenance, Diacon’s guards allow for effective access to even the most hard-to-reach parts of the conveyor.
What’s more, the guard system itself is easy to maintain thanks the system’s unique properties that mean users can set and forget.
“The corrosion-free properties of all materials used in the construction and fastening of our guards mean they do not require painting or protective coating,” Refalo said. “In harsh environments, Diacon conveyor guards can even outlast steel and aluminium alternatives.”
All Diacon guards are manufactured from robust, impact-resistant materials, and on most occasions will readily bounce back into shape after impact. Even if a panel has been badly damaged, it can be replaced at minimal cost and no extra maintenance downtime.
By retaining details of every panel guard it has ever made, Diacon is able to promptly reproduce any guard according to its original manufacture specifications.
When quoted the part number engraved on the inside of the guard, Diacon will have a replacement ready for installation during the mine’s very next maintenance shutdown.
“Our strong reputation is built on our dedication to understanding clients’ needs and our proactive approach to continued advancements in product evolution,” Refalo said.
“Our success as market leaders is thanks to the extraordinary relationships we’ve developed with our clients and distribution partners, and their understanding that we’re more than just a guarding product.”
By staying on the cutting edge of product design, Refalo said Diacon is able to bring next-generation innovations to the Australian mining industry that aim to make processes like maintenance hassle-free.
“Diacon Australia is dedicated to developing the latest design, engineering and manufacturing techniques to stay ahead of industry demands,” he said.
“By staying adaptable and responsive to evolving needs, we’ve consistently driven industry expectations for safety, productivity and efficiency as market leaders.”
This feature also appears in the January-February issue of Safe to Work.