Australia-based Visy Load has launched a new load sensing washer that, it says, will be a game changing, money-saving device for those in the underground mining industry.

Managing Director, Phil Hempenstall (pictured here), said the Visyload washer immediately advises operators of the working load limit on a rock bolt or threaded anchor. This allows them to know if it is safe to suspend a certain load from such products.

Load sensing washers are not new, but Visy Load has spent five years developing a far more effective product not seen before in the marketplace, according to Hempenstall.

The Visyload washer has tabs that curl down when they deploy, which indicates the applied tension or torque.

There are different models for different weights: the three-tab washer is for 3 t weights; the four-tab is for 6 t; and the five tab is for up to 8 t. The company is also developing models for other weight limits.

Hempenstall said: “The Visyload washer is a game changer for mines and tunnels in particular because it removes the need for a specialist geotechnician to assess the rock bolt or threaded anchor and the issue of staff downtime while they wait for that assessment.

“When you consider how many rock bolts and threaded anchors are in mines and tunnels, Visyload equates to big savings in time and money.”

In Australia underground mines, it is mandatory to assess each rock bolt, according to Hempenstall. It is unsurprising then that, over the last 18 months, Visyload has been trialled in mines in northern New South Wales and Queensland.

Hempenstall said the washer is cost effective and any competent person can install it and verify the correct bolt pull out strength. It is manufactured in Australia using heat certified steel and other raw materials under an ISO9001 accredited quality system.

As well as potential savings in time and money, Visyload brings risk management and work health and safety benefits, according to Hempenstall. “Being instantly certain whether a rock bolt can safely suspend a load reduces the risk of workplace injuries in underground mines, tunnels and other industries that use rock bolts,” he said.

Visy Load has appointed Newcastle, New South Wales-based industrial manufacturing and sales firm, Brain Industries, to be its distributor.