Hydrovac excavation is a non-destructive, precise, non-mechanical process that uses pressurised water and an industrial strength vacuum to simultaneously excavate and evacuate soil. GN Solids designs and manufactures hydrovac slurry processing systems, known as a Slurry Dewatering System.
In February 2022, SA Water began a major upgrade of the Morgan to Whyalla pipeline. This renewal is part of SA Water’s four-year, $1.6 billion program to sustain and enhance its water network.
The feedback from water managers around recent flood events has been characterised by shock and awe.
The Quick-Lock system is a trenchless pipe repair solution that restores the integrity of pipes and seals out of groundwater.
Responding to the global need for improved energy and utility infrastructure, Michels has expanded its trenchless operations to Australia, establishing its inaugural office and yard in Wangaratta, Victoria.
The project includes one of the longest drives carried out in WA. This project involves the construction of a 1.9 km wastewater pipeline with a diameter of 2.2 metres (m) through a combination of micro tunnelling and open trench construction.
These projects have a high level of complexity dealing with train movements, public safety, confined spaces, and tight delivery timeframes.
The announcement is the second major contract to be awarded to the leading Australian water industry supplier, Iplex Australia, as part of the project, which will provide water security to the growing city of Townsville.
Running for 12-24 months, depending on experience, Certificate III Trenchless Technology is a unique apprenticeship, designed for individuals working within the civil construction industry, using forms of trenchless within their work environment.
Veolia controls all the stages of the water cycle and can meet the many challenges of local authorities and industrial customers.
Featuring a two-speed thrust drive, the JT60 drill power provides operators with the performance needed to drill through a variety of soils on a diverse range of jobsites.
The Hunter Water Sewer Relining project located in Newcastle, NSW, has made promising headway as of mid-May 2022. Wilmot Pipelining has completed several sewer relining projects for the water industry company.
Founded in 2006 by Director Andrew Rowlands, and technical founder Denis Walker, Vacvator has grown from its humble beginnings to specialise in the manufacturing of high-quality vacuum excavation trucks.
Urban Utilities, alongside delivery partners Diona and Mott MacDonald, are trailing augmented reality (AR) during works to install a new water pipe below the bustling pedestrian precinct.
By providing inflow and infiltration (I/I) assessments, conducting inspections at hundreds of maintenance holes, pump stations and sewage treatment plant inlet structures, ISC Services has helped clients minimise their asset degradation and reduce operational asset costs.
Most recently, its B-Tech Connections™, an innovative Pullable Mechanical Connection for HDPE, which has already been recently awarded the NASTT 2022 Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award. It is also up for Innovation recognition at No-Dig Down Under, UKSTT and ISTT.
The B-Tech Connections™ have been specifically designed for trenchless technologies, and providing a quick, simple, high strength pipe-to-pipe mechanical connection. B-Tech Connections™ can be used for all pull-in applications including pipe bursting and/or splitting, culvert replacement and micro tunnelling where HDPE is utilised. It can also be used in industries including telecom, electrical, de-water, by-passing, dredging, mining and even Petro-chemical.
The innovation of pipe-to-pipe connection where the ID & OD remain the same, allows for 100 per cent retention of flow capacity while also maintaining a smooth external profile with no external obstructions, perfectly suitable for tight enclosed pipe tracks.
Bentink tells Trenchless Australasia that the B-Tech Connections™ can be pre-fused to any length of pipe and are available in threaded or push together connections that are made of 100 per cent HDPE, allowing them to be the exact specifications and material as the pipe.
“Pre-fusion of B-Tech Connections™ prior to arrival on site reduces labour time required on site for connecting pipes and also reduces the need for specialised equipment or specialised training on site,” he says. “As the B-Tech Connections™ maintain the same external size, stacking of pipes for transport is more efficient and simpler than flanged ends.”
Impressively, the mechanical connections for HDPE pipe are designed retain over 70 per cent normal pull-able strength, while retaining 95 per cent ductility of the pipe and 100 per cent flow capacity. Additionally, the connections feature leak-free O-ring seals and are resistant to corrosion and UV resistance of HDPE. No metallic components!
The innovative design of the B-Tech Connections™ allows the rapid make up of threaded connections with two-to-three rotations, which results in quicker connections in the field. Such connections have been lab tested to hold up to 16,100 kg of pulling force. Likewise, water pressure testing of SDR9 at 12-inches achieved 375psi internal water pressure
For pipes with larger diameter and lengths, the combination of threaded and push together fittings (all-in-one) allows for a 360° rotating connection for increased ease of connections of larger and longer pipes with no need to rotate the entire spool of large and long pipes simply turn the connection.
“Either permanently locked or temporarily installed, connections are water-tight with a broad range of applications in trenchless and non-trenchless applications,” says Bentink.
“Pull-ability of connections exceed 70 per cent of virgin pipe strength while retaining the normal flexibility of HDPE pipe. Connections can be applied to a wide range of pipe sizes and wall thicknesses. Transitions to other pipe materials and connection methods such as Flanges can also be provided to ease with compatibility issues.”
In confined space applications, work crews save time and resources in comparison to when utilising other time-consuming connection techniques of bulky mechanical methods. In the time it takes to make up 1 bolt on a flange, B-Tech can be fully connected.
This improves safety and drastically reduces time spent establishing connections and the equipment required to do so safely in restricted spaces.
While the butt fusion of short segments of pipe is typically difficult and time consuming in confined spaces, the B-Tech Connections™ can be readily supplied in short spools to 914 mm or they can be pre-fused to any length of pipe to produce custom length spools, allowing for quick and easy installation no matter how tight the space.
The long-life span and fast assembly times makes the B-Tech Connections™ method not only cost-effective but efficient for any HDPE projects or applications. Proving that ISC Services is continuing to help develop innovative technologies and solutions within the industry.
For more information visit ISC Services.
This article featured in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
iMPREG provides an insight on the benefits of going the extra mile for on-site service support.
Thomas Embling Hospital is a high-security forensic mental health hospital located in Fairfield, Victoria. It is currently undergoing a $349.6 million expansion, and these upgrades are being conducted on behalf of Forensicare, Victoria’s leading provider of mental healthcare.
Shortly after the Andrews government announced the expansion plans for the hospital in 2021, Adept was awarded the sewer upgrade project. The company was chosen based on its experience carrying out similar projects, specifically those that require a high degree of consideration for community safety.
Adept will use its microtunnelling machine to install 250 metres of sewer. This installation process will involve constructing four maintenance chambers that are 10 metres in depth. The company will also install 1.6 kilometres of dual DN180 watermain in order to upgrade the water supply to service the entire site.
Like many of Adept’s other projects, the company described the upgrade works as “high risk” and “extremely challenging”.
In fact, a significant amount of technical consideration has gone into the project’s planning. According to the company’s business development manager, Quentin Powell, the equipment and machinery that are being used were chosen on the basis of minimising risk.
“Microtunnelling is difficult at the best of times especially when drilling in hard rock in excess of 200 MPA,” Powell says. “The vermeer axis machine was suitable for this project as it provides a fully enclosed bore whilst boring, as the drilling rods are the similar diameter as the tri-cone boring head limiting the chance of collapsing.
“Adept have been working closely with NSC Project Solutions, Aecom and Forensicare to deliver the project safely and efficiently.”
Adept is a civil contractor that specialises in water and sewerage drainage pipelines, pump stations and associated services for Melbourne water boards and tier one Victorian contractors. It has worked across a number of projects in the state, including early works on the metro tunnel, the Seaford Road level crossing removal, and the West Gate tunnel sewer relocation.
Due to its industry expertise, Adept has a history of taking on some of the most challenging and risky projects; however, the company also has a reputation for being committed to safety. Adept makes safety a priority on every project it works on, and it is currently working towards a goal of zero workplace injuries. Adept provides thorough in-house training to all employees and engaging in careful site management strategies.
Adept is currently an accredited contractor with Greater Western Water, Yarra Valley Water, South East Water and Melbourne Water. It is also a member of Civil Contractors Federation Victoria Branch (CCF VIC) and is fully accredited with Vicroads.
For more information visit Adept Civil.
This article featured in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
The Melbourne-based finance brokering service’s main focus is to provide hassle free business finance solutions to clients and secure approvals quickly and conveniently.
Appreciating the importance of getting the deal secure for the client in a timely fashion, the first step they take is understanding and identifying the client’s needs.
Finance Broker Theo Robotis has over 30 years’ experience in the financial service world and has been with PEF Commercial Finance for the last 10 years. Theo knows the challenges customers in the trenchless and resources industry face when it comes to securing asset funding.
“Today’s business world has varying business structures,” he says. “They trade from sole traders, partnerships, companies, trading entities, trusts – all sorts of variances or combinations.”
One of the key differences in dealing with PEF Commercial Finance is that they take all the hassle out of your application by coordinating, organising and compiling your documents for delivery along with any other required materials. They then arrange the final sign-up immediately so that you, the client, can enjoy use of your new business equipment or vehicle as soon as possible.
The company strives to ensure business loans and finances are easy with their simple three step process.
The first step is identifying the purchase, which includes pin-pointing the equipment or assets for which the client requires business finance or a loan for.
“We work with the client to really understand who they are, and how they operate, so that we can narrow down which lending options or which financing solutions are going to be worthwhile,” Theo says.
“This may be deciding on the exact make and model of the equipment, assets, cars or other types of vehicles, the approximate purchase or lease prices, the source of the equipment being the supplier. An evaluation of the equipment prepared by a valuer may also help.”
The second step is to apply for pre-approval. “We (at PEF Commercial Finance) obtain the purchase information from the client and based on our discussions to date, work out the best approach to the business loan and finance application.”
“We may ask for preliminary summary of financials, depending on the goods and amounts to be financed,” Theo says.
The third and final step – finalisation and settlement.
“We may be able to obtain an approval for larger amounts which can come in useful for funding future purchases or leases or other business loan applications,” says Theo.
“Once approval is obtained, we will do the preparation work to compile all documentation and loan contracts for your approval and signature. We will take care of finalising the settlement and paying for the equipment or vehicles.”
Trust is one of the key attributes PEF Commercial Finance has built its business on due to there being a lot of technical and financial information being passed across to the banks on behalf of clients. Theo stated this is a result of the us (PEF) knowing who the banks are that lend to these specific areas and knowing the products and how it’s applied to people’s businesses.
“We deal with the largest and most reliable financiers, lenders, banks, and credit providers. We understand and implement the process on a daily basis through which we have regular dealings with decision makers,” he says.
“We work towards streamlining it all for everybody and it is a big hurdle that we’ve got to get over because, as I see it, the banks are sometimes a bit detached from the reality of the small business owner, the guy on the street, or the guy on the building site.
“So, we’ve got to put it to them, we have got to make them (the banks and lenders) comfortable around what they’re lending against, because that is the bank’s money, and they’ve got to make sure that it goes to the right hands at the right time.”
At PEF Commercial Finance, another aspect of the service customers can expect is when they lock in repayments for their asset finance, the current interest rate is not going to change.
“In a time where the interest rates have been moving around, at PEF Commercial Finance, we want to stress that these are commercial agreements, and once we secure a deal, that’s signed, and commenced, the interest rate will not change for our client for the next three-to-five years, or in some instances seven years, depending on their contract,” Theo says.
When dealing with PEF Commercial Finance you can be assured that as your commercial finance broker, it will provide personalised, efficient and friendly service throughout the entire process from the initial consultation and application to settlement and finalisation.
For more information visit PEF Commercial Finance.
This article featured in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
This form of technology has been pivotal for pressure applications like potable water and gas and has been producing CIPP liners for more than 35 years with its production sites in Belgium and Spain.
A rehabilitation solution for all kinds of pipes
In the 1980s, the first pressure pipe rehabilitation technology, the Phoenix System, was developed in Japan. The system had been designed to reduce the damages to pipes during earthquakes. Shortly after, Norditube developed the Phoenix system further to match with Tubetex liner European water and gas pipe network´s standards.
New products followed, like the fully structural Nordiflow pressure system, the Nordiwall gravity system, the r-tec CloseFit PE Pipe system in cooperation with a leading manufacturer for industrial hoses 5ELEM, the IH liner for long transmission pipelines.
Pipe networks have to be designed for individual project requirements, which define the pipes´ dimensions, materials and technical standards. It is sometimes not easy for pipeline operators, to keep an overview of the possible rehabilitation systems for those pipes. As Part of the RTi International Pipeline Construction group, NordiTube supports the operators to identify the right product and to design the projects.
NORDIFLOW – the fully structural and indepent Class A pressure liner
NORDIFLOW products are used since more than 20 years for:
• Potable water pipes.
• Industrial pressure pipes.
• Sewer pressure / rising mains.
The cured NORDIFLOW liner is considered a fully structural CIPP system that can be designed to resists not only the internal pressure but also external loads and negative pressure. The system is classified as “Class A” according to ISO 11295.
TUBETEX – the seamless fabric Class C pressure liner
TUBETEX has established itself worldwide as a cost-effective solution for pressure pipe rehabilitation. The TUBETEX system is an interactive system relying on adhesion with the host pipe and is classified as “Class C” according to ISO 11295. A significant advantage, especially for repair and service works, is an easy and safe re-connection to the existing pipe network. TUBETEX have been used for more than 35 years for:
• Potable water pipes.
• Industrial pressure pipes.
• Gas and Oil pipes.
IH Liner
The IH liner is an inserted-hose according to ISO 11295 and is rated as an independent pressure liner.
The inner layer of the liner is selected depending on the transported medium, gas, oil, steam or water. The liner has the US NSF drinking water certificate. The middle layer is designed to provide high flexibility and high-pressure resistance.The outer cover protects the fiber reinforced layer and prevents the liner from elongation or shrinking.
The diameter range from DN 50 up to DN 1200, and the long potential insertion length of up to 5 km in one pull, in combination with the IH-Liner- Connectors provide economical rehabilitation solutions for most of the existing transmission pipelines.
Cooperation TDM pipeline solutions & NORDITUBE
In the lead-up to the No-Dig 2022, TDM Pipeline Solutions and NORDITUBE entered in a partnership to expand the product portfolio for NORDITUBE’s technologies in Australasia. The local TDM representations and services will be a perfect complement to the global NORDITUBE partner network,
As a first step, TDM and NORDITUBE will concentrate on entering the Australian market with liner products for gravity pipes and drinking water. For the future, TDM and NORDITUBE are ready to support gas pipe upgrade projects and the mining industry as well.
TDM Pipeline Solutions is a division of TDM Group Australia along with other entities / divisions including The Drain Man and TDM Traffic Management, with operations in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.
TDM Pipeline Solutions specialises in commercial, industrial and network services working most prominently with civil infrastructure, water utilities and local government markets.
Triple certified to ISO 45001 (Safety), ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) TDM Pipeline Solutions provides services that include CCTV pit & pipeline inspections, drain cleaning, CIPP relining, sectional pipe repairs / patches, top hat & junction relining and robotic cutting.
For more information visit RTi.
This article featured in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
Operating out of Darwin, Northern Territory, for more than 25 years, Dig Hard Excavations is one of the regions leading civil hydraulics and drainage rehabilitation contractors.
The arrival of these machines has been years, if not decades in the making, and represents a landmark step forward in horizontal directional drilling (HDD) engineering. TRACTO-TECHNIK’s products are constantly being refined based on end user feedback, and the new range of GRUNDODRILL fluid-assisted and rock drilling machines are the ultimate reflection of this ideology.
Consisting of six machines with performance ratings between 60 and 280 kN, the rigs in the xCS range can be adapted to be used as a Jet Condition System (JCS) for excavating in conventional soils with normal rods, or as an All Condition System (ACS) using twin-tube rods to navigate through rock.
The customisable and adaptable nature of the machines is the result of years of research and development at TRACTO’s headquarters in Lennestadt, Germany, where the machines are also manufactured, using best-in-class processes and materials, before being shipped around the world, including to Australia and New Zealand.
Taking centre stage
After making the more than 15,000 km journey from the manufacturing hub in Germany to Australia, one of the new GRUNDODRILLs will take centre stage on TRACTO’s 54 m2 exhibition stand at No-Dig Down Under. Having the machine on display gives contractors the opportunity to see the rig and its features up close, as well as speak to the company’s team who provide clients with support and servicing capabilities for the life of the asset.
TRACTO will also have a number of interactive installations on site, demonstrating how the machine functions and is controlled. This illustrates how the machines have been designed to keep the complex and unique demands of the HDD process front of mind, making them adaptable, versatile and efficient.
As a result of the modular design, the GRUNDODRILLs can be configured to the specifications or restrictions of the market in which they’re operating. This includes numerous options for customisation according to application and comfort.
The majority of all rig functions are controlled via a centralised touch screen while integrated cameras give the user 360° visibility of the rig from the comfort of the refined cabin. This enables ergonomic conditions for the user, limits fatigue and frees them up to focus on the task at hand: drilling.
Remote-controlled drilling is also possible with the new machines, with operations conveniently controlled and monitored from outside the operator’s cabin using a specially designed remote-control unit. In combination with the intelligent cameras, this allows for the full control of the entire drilling rig.
The 130JCS/ACS features a Cummins Tier V engine, equipped with variable torque and speed adjustment for maximum rotational performance and productivity. In addition, the machines are capable of fully automatic drilling operations, including drill rod exchange.
The machines’ performance and customisation are also backed up by TRACTO’s range of high-quality mixing systems, meaning the machines can operate for longer periods without disruption.
Digging in
A number of contractors in the region are the first to use these new GRUNDODRILLS and are already reaping the benefits of the additional power and functionality. As with all TRACTO machines, they are also supported by the best servicing, spare parts and training the industry has become accustomed to from the company.
The company considers itself “more than a dealer” and has a goal to create and maintain meaningful and lasting relationships with its clients. This includes guiding customers through all stages of the product process, from purchase to training and after-sales support, as well as giving clients access to technical and engineering support in real time.
“If you’re a drilling or construction contractor looking to improve efficiency and performance on the job site, visiting us at No-Dig is an opportunity to see these machines up close and personal,” says TRACTO Australia Managing Director Jeff Rose.
“There’s a handful of contractors who have already taken delivery of the new GRUNDODRILL. With stock available on the ground at our Queensland head office ready to be delivered, there are opportunities to join them.
“Make sure you visit stand 50, meet our team and learn more about how this machine is shaking things up.”
For more information visit TRACTO-TECHNIK.
This article feature in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
Organised in partnership with the Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT), No-Dig has grown to become the second largest no-dig technology in the world and is now considered a must-attend event for all industry professionals.
Trenchless technology is important for installing new services, as well as rehabilitating and maintaining existing pipelines and infrastructure, without having to dig multiple trenches, disturbing traffic, business and residential locations.
With major utilities located underground and requiring ongoing upkeep and extension, No-Dig Down Under is a crucial event for local government representatives and those involved in planning decisions for major infrastructure projects.
The No-Dig conference promises to bring attendees the very latest information about products designed to make trenchless installation and rehabilitation easier and more efficient.
The No-Dig conference will kick off with a keynote presentation from Jonathan Farrell, Program Manager at Urban Utilities, looking at current projects being undertaken by the company. His presentation will be followed by a panel session, where Jonathan will be joined by Ben Hayes, Sales Manager at Herrenknecht AG, Tom Sangster, Managing Director of Downley Consultants, and Craig Vandaelle, Vice President of Michels Trenchless Preconstruction.
The prestigious ASTT awards, most of all, are not to be missed.
The awards will be presented to the winners, the finalists having already been announced, at the ASTT Gala Dinner and Awards Evening on Thursday 16 June from 7pm to 11pm. The formal event is set to feature presentations from a host of industry experts and is guaranteed to be a night not soon forgotten.
No-Dig is set to be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney from 14-17 June.
To get your free ticket to the No-Dig exhibition, register for the conference, or find out more information about the event, click here.
Kynection, originally called Fleet Effect, was born in 2006 with a focus on creating technology that would help heavy vehicle operators manage operations and reduce their impact on the environment.
Champion of Growth & Communications Jonathan Patchell says in 2008, during the early phase of the business, the management team had become entrenched within the local heavy vehicle industry and identified a real need in the marketplace for systems that would help transport operators manage heavy vehicle compliance (NHVAS and CoR), as it was increasing in complexity and becoming too much for many companies to manage.
“Based on the skillset of the management team (Courtney Smith, Kasie Smith and John Tsoucalas), this change-in-direction was perfect as they’d all come from consulting backgrounds with focuses on operational process and compliance,” he says.
By 2009 the company had proved itself to be a real player in the market by completing Australia’s first pilot for Electronic Work Diaries (EWD) with a Queensland-based quarry fleet.
Fast forward to 2018, Fleet Effect undertook its first merger by merging 44 per cent of Vertical Matters into the business.
As part of this deal, it tripled its employee headcount and diversified its software portfolio by offering Quality Management Systems allowing customers to receive Triple ISO Certification through Quality (ISO9001), Safety (AS/NZ4801) and Environment (ISO14001).
As part of this merger, clients such as KONE Elevators, Mitchcon, Rangedale, Underground Cable Systems, VSA Group, Roadsafe and Johns Lyng Group joined the Fleet Effect family.
With the part acquisition of Vertical Matters and diversification of the business into new areas, Fleet Effect officially rebranded to Kynection in May 2019 – with Knowledge in Motion as the underlying tagline from parent company Autolync.
Today, Kynection offers One System for all, which encompasses the whole workflow of a business in one spot.
Jonathan Patchell says the company identified a gap in the market for a company to be integrated into existing accounting systems and other third-party applications thus creating the “One System”.
“Kynection can be slotted into any business, and we can be integrated into any accounting system and make that seamless transition from a clunky paper-orientated business workflows to a paperless streamlined business,” he says.
“By having an organisation managing these different aspects of the business, the customer is able to contact us, and we can fix it. Essentially it removes the middleman and streamlines a lot of customers’ billing systems and operations.”
Kynection has a unique way of doing integrations. Jonathan says through its up-to-date expertise in technology, the company is able to integrate a lot of its hardware customers’ purchases from OEM manufacturers and from third-party software systems, making it an easy transition into a one-system approach.
Not only does it optimise teamwork by converting “paper to glass”, but Kynection allows clients to have real-time communication, remotely manage employees, suppliers, and subbies, win more tenders, bids and contracts, and have end-to-end supply chain fulfillment.
In the trenchless industry Kynection is able to offer full vehicle compliance by putting AI cameras in trucks, which links back to its job management system in real-time on the “One System”.
Jonathan says through this the company is able to manage driver awareness with the camera system which then feeds back to the operations system.
“We manage the operation system with the scheduling of the trucks and crews, which overlap that with the competency crew, detailing what they are competent of doing and whether they have been inducted. It also identifies what assets have been introduced to those projects as well,” he says.
“This means clients get all the information they need in one place and allows for a smoother operation and management of their business overall.”
As part of Kynection’s cloud-based platform, clients have access to the following: project management, job management, time and attendance, asset management, equipment management, eForms, task management, contractor management, quoting/invoicing, document management, tender management, contracts, human resources, and CRM.
Jonathan says his team of consultants are experienced with over a collective 100 years of experience at providing a full turn-key system that includes its cloud-based technology suite, as well as any required hardware teams may need. Kynection is a unique business that supplies the complete full systems of hardware and software including any support. This is a real game changer for the trenchless industry as they just need to have one point of contact for their operational systems.
“Ultimately our goal is to make it easier to view data and business information in one place,” he says. “Our technology will let you improve operational efficiency of your facilities maintenance businesses and ensure that use of paper is minimised.
For more information visit Kynection.
This article featured in the February edition of Trenchless Australasia.
Initially intended to train and develop internal staff to ensure best practices, industry-leading safety procedures, and the workforce were appropriately educated, the company quickly recognised there was an opportunity to provide this same level of understanding to the wider industry regarding the importance of proper qualification.
Business Development Manager & qualified trainer and assessor Chris McCarthy says the company realised there was a real need for training to be completed across the industry, not just internally, leading to the development and expansion of Asset Training.
As leaders in training solutions for both individuals and businesses, Asset Training provides training and assessment services for new trades, up-skilling and refresher courses.
Operating since 2006, the registered training organisation (RTO) primarily focuses on work safety, backed by vocational educators who are passionate about the level of instruction they provide.
For more than 15 years, Asset Training has continued to grow its portfolio of industry-specific trainers who collectively have close to 80 years of combined industry experience.
The company’s core courses relate to the industrial maintenance and wastewater services, including: operate a high-pressure water jetting system, and operate a high-pressure drain cleaning system and CCTV pipeline inspections.
Chris says Asset Training also offer courses which complement the water, waste management and industrial maintenance service industry, such as: operate a vacuum loading system, wider safety training including working in a confined space, working at heights, breathing apparatuses, first aid and gas test atmosphere training.
“We try to be an end-to-end service for our industry in providing training.
We’re also trying to pave the way for delivery of that training,” he says.
Asset Training produced two of Australia’s first online refresher courses for drain cleaning and for high-pressure water jetting, one of which it won a Hunter Safety Award for in 2019.
Refresher training is required by industry, and the training offered by Asset Training is nationally recognised, up-to-date, and of the highest quality.
While COVID-19 has restricted many industrial maintenance businesses from accessing the training they require, Asset Training has adapted its curriculum to help operators maintain their nationally accredited compliance standing remotely.
Chris says it has been a real opportunity for the company to be at the forefront of industry safety training in Australia.
“We’re strategically looking at ways we can develop our delivery methods to be accessible for everyone, irrespective of locality,” he says.
The training comprises both theoretical and practical components with the theory including online quizzes with downloadable learning materials.
“We want to make sure every student’s experience is positive but still productive and proactive to their learning,” says McCarthy.
The fit-for-purpose training centre, based in Newcastle, NSW, is fully equipped to provide nationally recognised training in CCTV pipeline inspection, high-pressure water jetting, vacuum loading, drain cleaning, work safely at heights, confined space, first aid, CPR and many more.
Asset Training also provides training interstate, with trainers travelling Australia-wide to provide industrial training courses for its customers.
Asset Training expects water utilities and pipeline maintenance companies, plumbers, and local councils will greatly benefit from the new level of accessibility offered by these courses.
Chris says the company looks forward to attending No-Dig Down Under in March, providing a great networking opportunity as well as a chance to educate the industry.
“We will be giving people an insight into our online refresher training, as with our two main courses it’s a requirement that you must be refreshed in them every two years,” he says.
“We’re eager to attend and continue to lead the way in work, health and safety training.”
Chris says providing safe work training will continue to be its primary focus moving forward, with high hopes for the future.
“It’s really exciting because the company is moving quickly, and it’s something we hope to impart on the industry,” he says.
“Making sure we’re growing and identifying opportunities for us to be better is really important to us, as well as being able to help others within the industry to realise their needs and goals.”
For more information visit Aqua Assets.
This article featured in the February edition of Trenchless Australasia.
Urban Utilities has committed itself to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by the time Brisbane hosts the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.