HVO makes tv debut

If you tune into ABC Television's The New Inventors, you may have recognised Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) in a segment which featured an innovative self adjustable mirror for haul trucks.

The new invention, developed by former HVO Operator Catherine Constable, makes driving safer, easier and avoids the risk of trucks being parked up.

"As an operator, I was making a number of calls to maintenance requesting a fitter to come out and reposition the mirrors, it could take up to an hour before they arrived," Catherine said.

"This invention does not require any special tools or the need for technical assistance from fitters."

Catherine said she spent a number of months improving the design with the assistance of HVO Mechanical Engineer James Hancock.

General Manager Business Improvement Nick Barlow said the mirrors were initially trialled at HVO from January to August 2006 and have been implemented progressively since October 2006.

"Prior to installing the Operator Adjusted Mirror we were losing around 400 hours per year across the truck fleet due to mirrors," Nick said.

"In the five months since starting to install the mirrors we only lost four hours on the trucks with adjustable mirrors. This equates to a 97 per cent reduction in lost time due to mirrors. A fantastic achievement for all involved.

"Besides the reduced downtime there has been improved safety as the operator can always have correctly adjusted mirrors and to top it off there has been a cost saving as the mirror frames have not been replaced since installation and the mirrors are not breaking as frequently."

The Operator Adjusted Mirror is currently being trialled at Bengalla and a number of Hunter Valley coal companies.

The New Inventors programme featuring the Operator Adjusted Mirror can be viewed by visiting www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors.