The Trident HEXHALE PAPR system is emerging as a game-changer for high-dust environments like mining and drilling.
In mining and construction, respirable dust exposure isn’t just a health risk – it’s a test of leadership, culture and commitment.
For Eagle Drilling NQ, a company operating in some of Australia’s toughest and dustiest environments, the solution was clear: upgrade respiratory protection across all reverse circulation (RC) drilling operations with the TRIDENT HEXHALE PAPR (powered air-purifying respirator) system. No exceptions, no compromises.
“If we’re doing RC drilling, our people will wear PAPR masks, no matter the site,” Eagle Drilling NQ general manager and ADIA vice president Sally Forgan said.
That simple mandate has placed Eagle Drilling NQ at the forefront of the industry’s dust safety movement; not just monitoring risk but actively neutralising it.
The case for PAPRs
As dust regulations tighten and awareness of occupational lung diseases like silicosis grows, PAPRs are gaining ground as a practical and effective upgrade from disposable masks. Yet adoption has been relatively slow, often hindered by cost, comfort or complexity.
That’s where the HEXHALE PAPR system, developed by Industree Group, changes the equation.
Originally designed for tunnelling, the HEXHALE has quickly found its footing in high-dust industries like mining and drilling. Featuring a positive pressure airflow system, it delivers filtered air down the user’s face, creating a clean air barrier that protects without restricting.
With no need for a tight seal, fit testing or clean-shaven compliance, the HEXHALE solves many of the practical challenges faced by field teams.
“What sets it apart is the way it simplifies compliance and improves usability in tough conditions,” Industree regional business development manager Jayden Minto said.
Eagle Drilling’s team trialled multiple units before selecting the TRIDENT HEXHALE RTC5000. Equipped with long battery life, high-efficiency filters and a full-face visor, the unit quickly proved its worth.
“We brought the supplier out with three different units and had 15 of our team members in the room,” Forgan said. “I said, ‘Try them on and tell me what you think’, because I’m not the one who needs to wear them – they are.”
The feedback? Positive across the board. Crews were comfortable, confident and, perhaps most importantly, compliant.
“If they’re not wearing it, they can’t work,” Forgan said. “It’s part of the kit now.”
A partnership-driven approach
Behind Eagle Drilling NQ’s success is a strong supply partnership.
Alliance Safety Equipment worked closely with the contractor and Industree Group to identify the right solution.
“From the start, the collaboration was focused on real-world outcomes,” Alliance general manager Jono Pearson said. “We wanted to balance protection, comfort and budget, and deliver a solution that would actually get used.”
The formula worked. Eagle Drilling NQ now operates every RC rig with HEXHALE units on-board, and the program has caught the attention of regulators and peers alike.
With more than 1000 units already sold, momentum behind the HEXHALE is building. Industree Group continues to invest in improvements, recently launching a headlamp attachment and developing an all-in-one PAPR helmet with an integrated blower unit.
“We don’t just want to sell equipment; we want to be respiratory safety partners,” Minto said. “When end users, suppliers and manufacturers collaborate, we create real, lasting change.”
As the sector faces a new era of accountability, one thing is clear: the companies that prioritise protection will lead the future. And with TRIDENT HEXHALE, they’ve got the tech to match their intent.
This feature appeared in the September-October edition of Safe to Work.