August 2016 - Global Rotomoulding

How To Keep Your Workplace Safe

When people interact with machinery accidents can happen. That’s why workplace safety should be top of the list of priorities for manufacturing businesses. If not, then serious injury or even death can occur.

Global Rotomoulding takes safety very serious. We take a look at some safety tips that can, and should be, enforced by manufacturing facilities.

1. Worker conditions

Basic safety rules for workers in a manufacturing environment ensures that they are protected on the job. These usually include rules about drug and alcohol use while at work and not wearing loose clothing, jewellery or hair which may get caught in machinery.

Appropriate safety gear and clothing should be worn at all times, such as steel capped boots, gloves, ear muffs, safety glasses etc. If a worker doesn’t abide by these rules then consequences should also be in place, such as a warning followed by termination of employment.

2. Worker Actions

Manufacturing businesses also need to enforce safety rules for when workers are carrying out their jobs.

This can include: operating machinery in a correct manner, i.e using both hands on a tool, and not bypassing safety switches and leaving safety guards and guides in place. They can also cover worker behaviour such as not acting in a manner as to endanger themselves and others.

3. Organised Workplace

How the workplace is organised in general is a determinant of worker safety. It should be clean and free of clutter, with tools housed in their correct locations and not lying around where they can injure people.

Any tools that require maintenance or replacing should be reported to a safety officer. The workplace should also be well-ventilated, well-lit and at an appropriate temperature for working in.

4. Emergency Situations

There needs to be a plan for dangerous or emergency situations which can occur in a manufacturing environment.

A clear set of procedures should be made available to workers so they know what to do, for example, in the case of a severe storm where should they shelter? All emergency exits should be kept clear with fire extinguishers and first aid kits placed in accessible locations. It’s a good idea to allocate a person responsible for first aid who has received the necessary training.

In general, workplace safety can be broken down into three factors: elimination of possible hazards, policies that protect workers and workers that follow the policies. If these three things are in place then the risk of worker injury is greatly reduced.

Global Rotomoulding is a manufacturer of plastic tanks, and also produces world-class custom rotational moulded products.

Case Study: Ludowici Safety Guard

As the advantages of rotational moulding become more widely known, more product designers and developers are jumping at the chance to boost safety, efficiency, and productivity in the mining industry. One such product that we designed is the Ludowici Safety Guard.

Used by mining companies all over the world, this bright yellow shield helps to keep mining workers out of harm’s way. The guard operates in a harsh environment and is fixed to a machine that continuously and violently vibrates at a high frequency. Our job? To design a product that is virtually indestructible.

The product brief

The Ludowici Safety Guard needed to be the ‘Iron Man’ of all products — strong, yet light enough to be carried by one person, unshakeable in structure, and able to withstand all sorts of shaking, trembling, and powerful vibrational movements.

The guard functions as a protective cover over a series of large rotating masses that need regular maintenance, so it also needed to be manufactured in two halves that could join together with precision and accuracy using a ‘tongue-in-groove’ arrangement.

An innovative solution to a dangerous problem

Before the introduction of plastic safety guards, the mining industry exclusively used heavy fabricated steel guards that often required up to four people to safely remove. They were expensive to manufacture and vulnerable to rust and corrosion.

The first issue we hoped to resolve by designing a rotationally moulded safety guard was the weight. We reduced the need for additional components by including as many as possible within the moulding itself. For example, we ditched the old screw on handles, which were heavy and rattled whenever the guard was in use, and designed new handles that were incorporated in the primary mould.

Product development and testing

Prototyping and testing were a crucial part of the Ludowici manufacturing process because we needed to be sure that our design would hold up under pressure and work as it was supposed to. We rigorously tested the safety guard against numerous performance criteria and refined our design to meet the high-stress requirements of the mining industry. As we had hoped, it passed with flying colours!

With smart design and a substantial weight reduction compared to the original steel guards, the Ludowici was hailed a success. Today, it demonstrates the true value of rotational moulding and proves that good design can transform any average product into something amazing!

Are you interested in designing rotational moulded plastic products? Looking for rural vehicle accessories, water tanks, or agricultural products? Call us on 1800 666 333, or send us an online enquiry today to find out how we can help you!

Why Rotational Moulding Is Perfect for Agricultural Products

New Agricultural Products: Why Rotational Moulding Is Perfect | Global Tanks | Brisbane

Global Rotomoulding specialises in the custom design and rotational moulding of plastic agricultural products, from livestock feeders to mixing tanks, pontoons, aquaculture tanks, and more.

Our primary goal is to provide Aussie farmers with improved systems and high-quality products that will simplify and increase efficiency.

If you’re business needs custom design and production of a plastic product, you should get in touch. We have designed many high-quality custom products such as the Quantum Mist Fan Cowl and the Vinidex AquaPRO system.

Here are just some of the other awesome products we have custom designed ourselves here at Global:

Troughs and Feeders

We have a wide range of troughs and feeders that are purpose built to withstand the tough Australian conditions. From a 200 litre linear trough to a 2000 litre round trough, we design custom rotational moulded products that will suit practically any livestock feeding needs.

Some of the advantages of our custom-designed troughs and feeders include:

Great for watering large numbers of horse, cattle, and sheep.
UV stabilised for the hot Australian climate.
Suitable for water, grains, drylick, or molasses.
BPA-free and food-grade safe.
Ideal for small hobby farmers or large acre farmers.
Easy to clean and maintain.

AquaCulture Tanks

Whether enduring the hot Australian sun or the harsh salty air, Global’s Aquaculture tanks are built to last. Our rotational moulded plastic is certified for both food and drinking water containment and does not support the growth of mould or harmful bacteria. We manufacture tanks ranging between 2000 litres and 5000 litres.

Some of the advantages of our rotomoulded aquaculture tanks include:

Rust and corrosion resistant.
Smooth finish protects your fish from rubbing up against a rough surface.
Solid one piece construction – no water leaks.
Suitable for fish, chemicals, algae growth, and fertigation.
Center drain for easy cleaning and maintenance.
BPA-free and food-grade safe.

Mixing Tanks

Global’s mixing tanks are custom designed to provide you with a swift, hassle-free mixing process. Whether you’re mixing feed for your animals or fertilizer for your plants, our mixing tanks are capable of blending and dissolving all sorts of liquids and dry products to meet your individual specifications.

Some of the advantages of our custom rotational moulded mixing tanks include:

BPA-free and food-grade safe.
Can withstand most acids, chemicals, seawater, and alkalis.
UV stabilized for Australian conditions.
Durable and long lasting hinged lid.
Easy to clean and maintain.

Grain Auger Hopper

Global manufactures a wide range of rural vehicle accessories, like our grain auger hopper, that are rotational moulded and custom designed for efficiency and speed. With a focus on gentle handling at high capacity, our grain auger hopper was designed to minimise impact and damage to your grain and pulses.

Some of the advantages of our custom grain auger hoppers include:

Lightweight and portable.
Quick and efficient grain movement.
UV stabilized for Australian conditions.
Solid one piece construction with no weak joints or weld lines.
Wide support base and low profile.
BPA-free and food-grade safe.
Smart and easy discharge mechanism.

Pontoons

Whether you’re looking for a center pontoon, a nose pontoon, or a pipe float, Global’s lightweight range of rotationally moulded pontoons won’t disappoint. They are a cost-effective alternative to traditional steel pontoon floats, and can be used for a wide array of applications.

Some of the advantages of our custom rotational moulded pontoons include:

Suitable for dams, rivers, and lakes
UV stabilized for Australian conditions
Won’t rust or corrode in saltwater
Lightweight and durable
Easy transportation and handling
Buoyant and unsinkable

Are you interested designing custom rotational plastic products? Looking for rural vehicle accessories, water tanks or agricultural products? Call us on 1800 666 333, or send us an online enquiry today to find out how we can help you!

Custom Rotational Moulding Product Design | Global Tanks

At Global Rotomoulding, we believe that rotational moulded plastic is infinitely better than wood, metal, or concrete.

And, we’re not just saying that because we use plastic every day in our workshop — it’s been scientifically proven!

Here are 3 research-backed reasons that prove that plastic and rotational moulding are the best tools for custom product design:

1. More flexibility

One of the main advantages of rotational moulding with plastic is the design flexibility. The process allows for complex shapes that are very difficult to make with other materials. It also allows for products with a variable wall thickness without retooling (something which can not be achieved with other processes like injection moulding).

Unique properties

Plastic itself is also a very flexible material. It can be used to achieve a wide variety of products for a wide range of industries. For example, you can use it to design products like flexible office folders, drinking straws, garden hoses, bendable pipes, squeezy tubes and bottles, bendy rulers, flexible storage baskets, and more!

In fact, you can even 3D print flexible plastic products. “The specificity of the material allows you to create objects that are very flexible but strong at the same time,” says expert Arthur Cassaignau.

2. Better for the environment

Okay, we know what you’re thinking. “How could plastic be better for the environment? It’s made from synthetic materials that are derived from fossil fuels”.

The answer? Plastic can do more for less.

For example, mining metal ores is very energy-intensive and environmentally unfriendly. Deforestation is also one of the most destructive activities on the planet, with a huge impact on plant and animal species. And, don’t even get us started on the greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production and transport of concrete!

Scientific breakthroughs

Plastic is lightweight, recyclable, and becoming more and more sustainable as researchers develop new ways to produce it using renewable resources, like corn, methane, and bacteria. According to Du Pont, “Scientific breakthroughs have made the promise of carbon neutrality, renewability, and independence from petroleum a real possibility.”

In other words, custom designed plastic products are the way of the future! Some examples of custom plastic products that are making waves in the sustainable design field include:

Global rotomoulding is leading the way

Global Rotomoulding is doing their part for the environment too. No chemicals, gases or dangerous toxins are released into the atmosphere during our rotational moulding process, and there is no material wastage. We are also proud to have a low carbon footprint and to be custom designing rotational moulding products which are 100% recyclable.

3. Super resistant to bacteria and fungi

Plastic products are also easy to clean and incredibly fungi resistant. This is because the “closely interconnected molecules are too large for microbes to get their biters around, never mind digest”. As a result, custom rotational moulded products like our septic tanks, water tanks, and livestock feeders have a longer lifespan and are easy to maintain.