GRB Global is Queensland's first Autonomous Field Service Specialists team supporting the optimisation of mining technology in Australia.
GRB's Mobile Equipment Technology: Design and Installation Standard
Introduction
GRB, a trusted partner in the mining industry, specializes in supporting clients who own a diverse range of Earthmoving Equipment (EME) from various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
To help clients meet stringent safety and productivity requirements, GRB assists in enhancing the capabilities of these machines beyond their base specifications. This often involves the on-board installation and commissioning of aftermarket technologies for communication, monitoring, and control purposes. These additional technologies, referred to as customising technology, include fleet management systems, fuel and lubrication monitoring, tyre condition monitoring, load management, radio communications, and driver safety systems.
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To streamline these enhancements, GRB has established a comprehensive Design and Installation Standard. This standard serves as a guideline for OEM suppliers and GRB's maintenance technicians to ensure consistent, high-quality installation of aftermarket technologies across all client sites.
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Purpose and Scope
The primary objective of this standard is to ensure that all customising technologies installed on EME for GRB's clients are designed, installed, and maintained uniformly across all sites. The standard provides detailed instructions that help maintain compliance with applicable legislation, industry standards, and codes. It sets a benchmark for quality that is consistent and repeatable, ensuring all systems are familiar to technicians and that maintenance can be performed efficiently.
This standard applies to the installation of customising technology on specific classes of EME as outlined in the GRB’s Vehicles and Mobile Equipment Compliance Standard. It covers general installation requirements, risk management practices, and design standards. However, the standard excludes base model installations as supplied by OEMs, autonomous haulage technology, and underground mobile equipment.
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Risk Management
GRB recognizes the critical importance of risk management in the installation and operation of mobile equipment technology. Compliance with relevant legislative obligations, such as local mining safety and health acts, is mandatory. The company's commitment to risk management is encapsulated in its adherence to the "As Low as Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) principle, which aims to minimize the likelihood and severity of any potential harm.
Risk assessments must be conducted following the AS/ISO 31000 guidelines, incorporating input from a diverse cross-section of the workforce to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. Additionally, any changes to this standard or related installation guidelines must follow a documented change management process, involving key stakeholders to maintain alignment with GRB’s safety and operational goals.
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General Design Standards
Customising technology at client sites must be designed and installed to withstand harsh environmental and operational conditions, such as high-pressure water ingress, UV radiation, and high vibration levels. The selection of equipment must align with GRB's Mobile Equipment Technology Selection Matrix, ensuring that the right technology is matched with the appropriate EME.
Designs should be robust, maximizing reliability and incorporating maintenance plans that facilitate ease of repair and replacement. All components should have a minimum operational life of three years from commissioning, with continued parts support from the OEM or vendor for the same duration. Compliance with the latest relevant Australian or international standards is mandatory unless superior standards are specified by the OEM.
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Specific Design and Installation Standards
Detailed standards govern every aspect of the installation process, from isolation and power supply requirements to circuit protection, earthing, and bonding. All electrical wiring and components must meet or exceed the relevant standards to ensure safety and reliability in the challenging mining environment.
For instance, antenna installations must optimize line-of-sight to promote effective radio propagation, with specific guidelines for antenna separation and mounting configurations to avoid interference and damage. Cable and connector specifications, labeling standards, and enclosure requirements are all outlined to ensure installations are durable, safe, and easy to maintain.
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Testing and Commissioning
All installed technologies must undergo rigorous testing to verify proper installation and operation. This includes Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) tests for coaxial feed lines, Ethernet continuity tests, CAN resistance testing, and various calibration procedures. The use of calibrated testing instruments is required, with all results documented and provided to GRB in an acceptable format.
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Documentation and Quality Control
Accurate documentation is crucial for maintaining high standards of safety and performance. GRB requires comprehensive As-Built or Handover Documentation, including schematics, component details, and test results. All new designs and modifications must be documented in accordance with GRB’s Drawing Management Standard to ensure consistency and facilitate future upgrades or maintenance.
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GRB’s Mobile Equipment Technology Design and Installation Standard represents a commitment to excellence in the mining sector. By standardizing the installation of aftermarket technologies, GRB ensures that all client sites operate with the highest levels of safety, efficiency, and reliability. This standard not only enhances the performance and lifespan of clients' fleets but also aligns with GRB’s broader goals of innovation and operational excellence in the mining industry.
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02/09/2024 GRB-MET-DISV-Version 1.0