INTERNATIONAL MINING PROFILES
Safety Isn ’ t Expensive , It ’ s Priceless !
Over the last decade , safety has become more and more essential , and a prominent factor in drilling and mining . It is not just about safety vests , hats and eyewear – a focus on safety in equipment design and how drillers operate that equipment has led to significant improvements .
Drilling , in particular , has inherent dangers with the high-speed rotation of the drill head and the handling of heavy , cumbersome rods and casings . All this puts crews at risk of their clothing getting caught , body parts getting pinched or crushed , backs or shoulders getting injured , or even hand tools getting caught and causing other injuries . And there is a growing trend , as seen in Canada , to hold drilling CEOs personally responsible when crew members are injured due to insufficient safety procedures .
When it comes to drill rigs , Eijkelkamp North America ’ s SonicSampDrill rigs , built by FRASTE , have unmatched safety features . Foremost among them is the safety cage . Standard on
Eijkelkamp rigs , the safety cage closes around the drill head and spinning tooling , ensuring that tools , crews and clothing are all clear of danger . In fact , opening the drill cage while drilling immediately shuts down the rig through an emergency shut-off feature .
Another key safety feature of Eijkelkamp rigs is the various means to automate the handling of tooling . First , the rig provides automatic breaking of the threaded tooling joints . Using break-out clamps , mounted at the bottom of the drill mast , the driller can remotely clamp the tooling and then control the drill head to release joints quickly and safely . No wrenches required .
The second automated tooling function comes in the form of a type of rod handler called the FRASTE Manipulator . This automated arm picks up drill pipe from the rig ’ s on-board rack and safely lifts it up parallel to the drill head . The head shifts over , uses a hydraulic chuck to mount the pipe , and then shifts back
over the drill hole to continue drilling . The FRASTE Manipulator is safely operated from the driller ’ s control panel , with several automated features including rod separators , strong gripping pliers and a bottom rod guide that ensures perfect alignment . This additional automation provides even more safety as it saves human fatigue while making sure operators do not need to touch the drill pipes . It also eliminates dead time when drill pipe is loaded and unloaded .
The third automated tooling element is another type of rod handler . Typically operated by a single assistant , the Eijkelkamp ManipAll arm lifts over 600 Ib ( 300 kg ) and picks up rods or casings up to 13 ft ( 4 m ) long and 3-12 inches ( 75-325 mm ) in diameter . Depending on the
size , the ManipAll grabs tooling using clamps or industrial magnets , and it can be safely operated by hand or by remote control . The ManipAll quickly and easily lifts tooling to a vertical position and swings it into place under the drill head . This arm adds significant efficiencies as well as safety . For example , while the driller is busy drilling with the current tooling , the assistant can get the next piece into position . And it saves you the step of offloading and staging your tooling – the ManipAll can pick up rods and casing right from your rig , truck , or rack . In addition , the ManipAll adds very little to a rig ’ s footprint , and it can be mounted on any drill rig – not just an Eijkelkamp rig .
A fourth element of tooling automation is the FRASTE Roto Handler ( FRH ), which makes handling drill rods and casings quick work . Easily mounted to an excavator , the FRH handles tooling from 3-12.8 inches ( 76-324 mm ) in diameter , ensuring your crew remains at a safe distance and does not need to handle these heavy rods manually . This simple , strong and safe hydraulic handler provides a range of gripping diameters in each clamp and can lift over 1,400 lb ( 650 kg ). Like the ManipAll , the FRH can work with any rig , regardless of the manufacturer .
While features like the Eijkelkamp ManipAll and FRASTE Manipulator end drilling injuries due to rod and casing handling , focusing on the safety of your crew does not just mean fewer injuries and deaths ; it also makes financial sense . Fewer worker compensation claims , reduced absenteeism , decreased insurance premiums and improved customer satisfaction all lead to increased profitability .
Safety isn ’ t expensive , it ’ s priceless ! Eijkelkamp North America is proud to deliver the features necessary to ensure the safety of your drilling crews and the success of your company .
Eijkelkamp North America 6707 Netherlands Drive Wilmington , NC 28405 USA Tel 1-800-603-5708 Email info @ eijkelkamp-usa . com
AUGUST 2021 | International Mining 13