FY24 Industry Spotlight #1

SPOTLIGHT

May, 2024

// INFORM EFFECTIVENESS OF WELDING FUME PRODUCT CONTROL

Welding fume guidance

// CONNECT INVENTORY SOLUTIONS

Focus on what you do best and let us do the rest

// SOLUTION ONE-KEY™ CONNECTED SOLUTIONS

How ONE-KEY™ is transforming tool management

CONTENTS

08 Inventory Solutions

Focus on what you do best and let us so the rest

10

12

14

15

19

22

ONE-KEY™ Connected Solution

How ONE-KEY™ is transforming tool management

Breathe Easy Knowing Your Team is Protected 3M™ versatile solution to respiratory hazards

On-Gun Fume Extraction

How on-gun fume extraction has changed the game

Ansell Earth Sustainability Program Giving the environment a helping hand

Shedding New Light on the Worksite

How the right light helps carry our jobs correctly and safely

Making Fluid Modes of Training a Reality

Pushing the boundaries in hydraulics training using mixed reality

26 Speciality and Heavy Industrial Boots for Extreme Environments

Oliver specialist AT 65 and AT 66 series

30 Equipment Maintenance Operate Proactively

Reducing unplanned downtime with effective maintenance and repairs

32

35

Innovative Cleaning Solution for Bitumen Build-up

Safe and effective bitumen cleaning solution for industries

The Latest Evolution of Abrasives to Maximise Performance

Next generation abrasives produce more, with less

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

At Blackwoods, we’ve always believed in building strong partnerships with our customers and suppliers. As business has changed and grown over the decades, so too has the demand for valuable insights across the industrial landscape.

We recognised the need for a space where best practices and developments could be shared, and a community of industry experts could be brought together to impart their knowledge. Now, we’re excited to launch our newest publication, combining our extensive collective expertise with that of our trusted partners.

Industry Spotlight focuses on technology and innovative insights on how our brand partners are working on more sustainable alternatives and product innovation, and the latest equipment and tools for safety, productivity, and efficiency across mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, government, transport, agriculture, engineering, fire and rescue, logistics and storage.

We hope that this publication will help keep you informed, connect you with the expertise you need, and provide you with solutions to build your business, streamline your operations, and look after your people, no matter where you are or what you do.

HELPING BUILD A BETTER AUSTRALIA

Since our beginning in 1878 as a specialist supplier to the marine industry, Blackwoods has worked incredibly hard to be where it is today: we are an Australianowned company that is widely respected by both our customers and our suppliers. We are present in every region and major city in Australia, with team members able to service all sites and customers across Australia.

We have diversified and grown over the years, to become a market-leader in providing end-to-end Maintenance Repair Operations (MRO) and Industrial Safety solutions, for small to large businesses across Australia. Our success is built on understanding our customers, and meeting their needs at every stage of service, from product supply to product support, to industry sector expertise.

We have a diverse and expansive reach, from providing services to the smallest of businesses to national and multinational industries that include mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, government, transport, agriculture, engineering, transport, fire and rescue, logistics and storage.

UNBEATABLE RANGE AND VALUE

At Blackwoods, we offer accessible, continuous, and effective services and solutions, utilising global sourcing capabilities and strategic partnerships with world-class brands and suppliers.

We enable you to streamline procurement by ordering everything from a single supplier. Our collaboration aims to reduce total cost of ownership through product range rationalisation, vendor consolidation, spend aggregation, enhanced inventory control, and leveraging a wide-reaching national and global network for reliable delivery.

+300,000 Blackwoods products. Every day, we’re helping Build a Better Australia.

THE LARGEST COMBINED SUPPLIER IN AUSTRALIA of Maintenance Repair Operations (MRO), industrial and specialist safety products +220 YRS combined experience across our technical safety specialist team 45+ branches nationally

+4,700 suppliers support our market-leading product offer

6 Distribution centres

+100 Mil fasteners sold annually

+750,000 signage products manufactured in-house by Blackwoods Signage annually

+500,000 embroidery and embellished garments supplied per year

as a specialist supplier to the marine industry +9,000 Orders per day processed by Blackwoods +1.3 MILLION deliveries annually

MILLION cubic metres of warehouse space nationally

+5,700 exclusive to Blackwoods products

on a full range of power tools

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Using our Assess, Inform, Equip process we find the right solution for your specific environment, which is backed by Blackwoods’ world-class technical knowledge and expertise.

APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR

By partnering with leading brands, we provide off-the-shelf to fully customised and safety uniform solutions. This includes embroidery and uniform branding.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

Knowledge is your best protection. Blackwoods can assess the hazards in your workplace, provide you with a comprehensive solution, then equip you with the right gear. Our expertise is second to none.

TOOLS

Blackwoods offers the most complete range of industrial tools in the Australian market. This includes all the market-leading brands at competitive pricing with a fully stocked range. We also offer a price-match guarantee on all power tools.

GAS, WELDING AND ABRASIVES

With the backing of a highly experienced technical support team, Blackwoods has all the products you need in one place. We provide end-to end solutions tailored to your business requirements.

LIFTING AND RIGGING

Blackwoods’ specialist lifting and rigging business, Bullivants, offers a complete solution. Our experts identify and assess high-risk activities across rigging, lifting, restraint, recovery, and height safety.

FASTENERS, ADHESIVES AND LUBRICANTS

We offer an extensive range of fasteners, adhesives and lubricants at highly competitive prices that are available when and where you need them.

ELECTRICAL AND AUTOMOTIVE

There are more than 50,000 products in this Blackwoods range. Our brands and products are carefully selected for industrial applications to maximise performance and durability.

MECHANICAL AND METALS

Whether it’s a turn-key operation at a remote location, or a unique one-off requirement at a manufacturing plant, Blackwoods has all your supply needs covered. We combine our experienced and capable Category Team (many of whom have a mechanical engineering background) with our vast supply network.

HYGIENE AND CLEANING

Whether it’s your workplace or your home, Blackwoods Hygiene and Cleaning has you covered. With a wide range of products from leading brands on offer, we can help you find the products that best suit your needs.

OFFICE AND KITCHEN

Our extensive range of office supplies (from paper and pens, to tea and coffee), are stocked nationally, giving you access to all the essentials.

OUR CUSTOMERS

As testament to our multi-generational success, Blackwoods has a customer base that spans small businesses to government to large industry customers that operate in the mining and resources, construction, and manufacturing sectors.

We strive to always deliver appropriate services that enable our customers to get their jobs done safely, efficiently, effectively, and on time. We pride ourselves in being market-leaders in all the services we provide, and we are always seeking ways to improve what we do to help each and every one of our customers.

MINING AND RESOURCES

Blackwoods understands that having what you need, when you need it, is critical to getting the job done safely and on time. We supply essential products and services to Australia’s largest mining companies with a focus on both protecting your people and keeping them productive, both above and below ground. We also provide unique expertise and solutions to support shutdowns across mining, power generation, oil and gas and infrastructure projects.

DEFENCE

Blackwoods has been a supplier to the Defence Industry for more than a century and has forged a reputation for reliability, professionalism and responsiveness.

CONSTRUCTION

From supporting the construction of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, to Australia’s largest road infrastructure and resource projects, Blackwoods has been at the forefront of supporting construction companies building critical infrastructure for over a century. We understand that higher productivity and minimised downtime on large-scale construction projects demands the latest technology and equipment, combined with an experienced team capable of delivering it quickly, wherever it is required.

FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Blackwoods has a team dedicated to servicing Federal, State and Local Government. Our product specialists are available for phone calls or onsite support allowing us to deliver fit-for-purpose equipment, apparel, footwear, hygiene, eye wear, and tools solutions. Whatever the need, we have you covered.

MANUFACTURING

We offer the complete solution to help you drive a safer, smarter and more productive manufacturing operation. We understand the complexities of operating a manufacturing facility, and the need to maintain high standards when it comes to engineering and safety requirements. By partnering with Blackwoods you can depend on us for quality, trust and experience. From fabrication workshops to food manufacturers, and everything in between, Blackwoods has you covered from head-to-toe.

BLACKWOODS INVENTORY SOLUTIONS

FOCUS ON WHAT YOU DO BEST AND LET US DO THE REST

For Coopers Brewery, their new Blackwoods onsite solution is streamlining stores management. Running out of critical parts, tools, consumables, or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can not only cost you precious time and money, but take you away from what you do best. This was initially the case for Coopers Brewery, largely due to the complex workflows and maintenance systems associated with their beer production and distribution processes.

Continued growth and a distributor for international brands, the brewery needed to explore new ways of doing things. “In recent years we’ve had a real focus on equipment reliability from new parts and materials to maintenance planning, and we’ve had to look at making continuous improvements to keep up with demand,” says Michael Shearer, Coopers’ General Manager. “When it came to our internal stores depot, we had an opportunity to look at the ways we do things.”

Operations Manager Nick Sterenberg went on to explain… “To move our store from being a fully expensed one to being valued, we looked at replicating what we’d seen overseas into our Australian operations. That’s where Blackwoods came in.”

For the past four years, Blackwoods has supplied a customised onsite stores management program at the brewery. This is supported by two full-time site facilitators – Blackwoods employed professionals – that attend to the ordering and physical management of Coopers’ stores. The program has evolved from vendor consolidation to product rationalisation, and the management of inventory holdings, and invoicing.

Given Blackwoods’ expertise in inventory management, their broader services are becoming increasingly popular in mining, construction, transport and local government, where access to critical inventory is essential to keeping projects on track, and workers safe and productive.

“As businesses expand, and their inventory holdings grow, keeping track of stock can be difficult. In many cases, integrated procurement processes help control spend, reduce costs, and maintain stock levels and compliance. And this typically requires an external level of expertise,” says Martin Shaw of Blackwoods Inventory Solutions.

“With the challenges workers face in large-scale industrial projects, our inventory and shutdown solutions can overcome this by providing sites with complete control and visibility over their stock. This allows them to spend more time out in the field, and less time worrying about having the right gear.”

VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY (VMI)

VMI provides reliable and immediate availability of all your stock needs, which allows your workers access 24/7 to the right items to get the job done.

Having Blackwoods VMI and our Site Facilitators onsite helps provide a safer working environment, improved compliance, and greater control over your inventory, resulting in a reduction in cost of capital. This is backed up by monthly reporting, stock consolidation opportunities and lower administration/ operational costs.

Our Mobile App also provides seamless integration with your ordering process, for faster, more accurate supply of product and further opportunity to reduce costs.

SHUTDOWN SOLUTIONS

Shutdowns are a necessary occurrence but can be complex and expensive if not managed well. With the use of bulk dry store containers, dangerous goods, and purpose-built mobile warehouses, they play a critical role during planned maintenance periods.

Blackwoods’ cost-effective and time-efficient Shutdown Solutions provides access to both an onsite store, and an experienced team that manages sourcing, distribution, and reporting processes. This reduces the number of purchase orders, removes the need to deal with multiple vendors, and drives cost savings and efficiencies.

VENDING

We’ve all used a vending machine for snacks or drinks at some stage. But, what about PPE? Blackwoods’ automated vending machines provide uninterrupted access to safety equipment 24/7, ensuring your workers are protected from head-to-toe with the right gear.

With the machines linked to your employee’s ID, it’s just a matter of scanning their badge to get what they need, when they need it. This helps you control stock distribution and receive detailed reporting on stock usage, which reduces spend and wastage.

Customised vending solutions are available to meet the specific product needs of different sites – traditional coil and carousel for smaller PPE and general tooling, weight scale for larger, high-volume items like hard hats and disposable overalls, and locker systems for high-value items such as safety harnesses or expensive tooling.

ONSITE SERVICES

Just as the right safety equipment is used for specific projects, an inventory solution must also be tailored to your site. Blackwoods offers full-time onsite facilitators with experience in supply chain management and product rationalisation. This will give you peace of mind knowing the job will be done without hassle. And you’ll receive customised reporting for full control over your spend.

The availability of technical specialists with experience in mobilising Blackwoods Inventory Solutions in surface and underground environments, means we’re well positioned to help you get jobs done safely and on time.

CONNECTED SOLUTIONS

How Milwaukee ONE-KEY™ is transforming tool management

Managing inventory is one of the most common challenges on jobsites today. Keeping track of your tools and equipment across multiple projects, locations, and vehicles can be difficult. Missing or stolen tools means lost time and money. So, what if there was a solution that made these a thing of the past?

ONE-KEY™ CONNECTED SOLUTIONS

CASE STUDY:

Managing a fleet of power tools using ONE-KEY™

Milwaukee ONE-KEY™ offers a new approach to tool management. As a free digital platform for tools and equipment, the cloud-based program allows you to customise, track and manage your gear, all from a central location using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tracking. The platform provides access to everything about your tools including purchase information status, performance reports, or when a specific tool is due for maintenance. Users can also assign tools to specific jobsites, people, or vehicles, which means less time searching for tools and more time on the job.

Inventory tracking goes a step further with the ONE-KEY™ TICK™ Tracking Tag. When attached to tools in your inventory, you can easily track the locations of those items through the ONE-KEY™ app.

Let’s say a tool is stolen, you can flag the tool as ‘missing’, and you will automatically receive an updated location next time that tool comes within a 100m range of a phone with the ONE-KEY™ app. If your tool has ONE-KEY™ firmware built in, that tool can be locked out, even without a battery, meaning that tool is unable to be used until recovered and reset by the owner.

If you’re looking for a smarter and more efficient way to take control of your assets, choose Milwaukee ONE-KEY™.

Derek T., a lead heavy-duty mechanic, and his team, maintain 30-40 pieces of heavy equipment. They also selfmanage the tools used to service this equipment, using the ONE-KEY™ app.

“The tools I’ve purchased have become more of a ‘shop use’ tool,” he explains. “So, being able to track how it’s used, if it goes offsite or not, and being able to hold people accountable for damage or whether they’re missing or not, has definitely been a benefit.”

Of the power tools Derek and his team use to maintain the company’s inventory of heavy equipment, he describes about 95% of them being Milwaukee. He also explains their use of ONE-KEY™ functionality on the tools that are compatible with the app as largely part of the need to deliver reliable precision fastening.

“The app is incredible, and I’m happy with the newer technology on some of the tools… specifically the impact gun, where you’re able to adjust the torque on the app.” *

*Torque cannot be guaranteed. Always check final torque value with a torque wrench.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WELDING FUME PRODUCT CONTROLS

A SCIENTIFIC STUDY

WELDING FUME GUIDANCE

Countless studies have concluded that welding fume is bad for health, yet few have given practical guidance on how to effectively control welding fume exposure… until now.

A recent independent Australian study* compared the effectiveness of different welding fume product control methods in reducing exposure to welding fume. These included On-Gun Fume Extraction, Hooded Capture Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), and Welding Helmets with Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR).

The results of the study were organised into two categories:

The Welder’s Exposure to Welding Fume and Removing Welding Fume from the Environment

1. THE WELDER’S EXPOSURE TO WELDING FUME

With a reduction in exposure of at least 99.96%*, the 3M™ Speedglas Welding Helmet with an Integrated PAPR was by far the most effective measure in protecting the welder from welding fume exposure when compared to On-Gun and Hooded Capture LEV.

The PAPR system also provided an Effective Protection Factor (EPF) of at least 2,600*, reducing exposure to at least 1/2600th of the outside concentration – that’s 52 times better than the Required Minimum Protection Factor (RMPF) of 50 specified in AS/NZS 1715:2009.

PAPR should therefore be considered a priority in situations where the welder is the only person needing protection from welding fume.

2. REMOVING WELDING FUME FROM THE ENVIRONMENT

It is an employer’s legal responsibility to reduce welding fume exposure to as low as reasonably practicable for all persons, not just the welder.

The study showed that, On-Gun Fume Extraction removed 33% more welding fume from the environment than Hooded Capture LEV*. The Translas fume extraction gun was able to extract up to 97% of the welding fume, with an average of 90% across all tests*.

On-gun extraction also has the added benefit of following the welder as they move, unlike fixed LEV hooded capture, which requires the welder and welding arc location to be perfectly positioned and relatively stationary.

The Workplace Exposure Standard for Welding Fume has been lowered from 5mg/m3 to 1mg/m3. While this is a massive step in the right direction, action needs to be taken to reduce welding fume exposure below this new legal limit.

The results of this study give clear and actionable guidance on reducing welding fume exposure not only to 1mg/m3, but well below this new level.

This guidance does not address confined spaces. Today’s current welding fume product controls have their limitations in a confined space. There should be a suitably trained and knowledgeable person doing the assessment and design of a safe system for any confined space entry.

* 2023 Peter Knott, Georgia Csorba, Dustin Bennett, Ryan Kift. Welding fume; a

BREATHE EASY KNOWING YOUR TEAM IS PROTECTED

3M™ VERSATILE

SOLUTION TO RESPIRATORY HAZARDS

On the job site, there are many hazards to look out for. But you wouldn’t think that the air you breathe could end up doing more harm than the equipment you use.

The Australian Lung Foundation estimates around 29% of lung cancers in men and 5% in women are from occupational exposure*. Occupational lung disease can

also include conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), work-related asthma, asbestos-related conditions, Chronic Bronchitis, silicosis, and coal dust pneumoconiosis (black lung), to name a few.

These are caused by exposure over time to air pollution, hazardous chemicals, aluminium, asbestos,

*Worksafe.act.gov.au - Data-snapshot – Occupational lung diseases

carcinogens like respirable crystalline silica (silica dust), coal dust, gases or welding fumes, or many more by-products of industry.

To keep workers safe and breathing comfortably, 3M™ has developed their 3M™ Secure Click™ Full Facepiece Reusable Respirator FF-800 Series.

4 STEPS TO COMFORT AND BREATHABILITY

3M™ invented this latest technology with simplicity, effectiveness, and ease of use in mind.

HEAR IT: You simply need to listen out for the click when installing a cartridge or filter connection to know it’s secure.

FEEL IT: For numerous filter options, the two filters pull air through both sides, providing the world’s first quad-flow gas and vapour filter/combination filter systems.

SAY IT: The speaking diaphragm can help improve communication.

CHECK IT: Easily conduct a user seal check by pressing the easy, one-touch seal check button.

Protecting workers from a wide variety of gasses, vapours and particulates, the respirators come in both full-face and half-face options suitable to a range of applications.

“The 3M™ FF-800 Full Facepiece Reusable Respirator with Secure Click™ filter connection solves many of the challenges of a hazardous work environment,” says Mark Reggers, Certified Occupational Hygienist at 3M™ Personal Safety Division.

Whether you’re working in heavy manufacturing, oil and gas, specialty chemicals, mining, transportation, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, or primary metals, 3M™ has provided an effective solution for protecting your teams from harmful airborne hazards. That’s a peace of mind for you, your workers and their families.

DREW DAUNCEY

Technical Safety Specialist

Starting out with Protector Safety Supply in 1998, Drew’s transition into a safety specialist for Blackwoods was a natural one. As a respected team leader for the southern region, he is renowned for his technical and product knowledge in all aspects of gas detection, height safety, respiratory, and fireretardant workwear.

He deals with projects on all sides of the industrial spectrum. For hand protection Drew knows that not one size fits all. The materials, tooling and tasks performed all dictate the type of safety gloves required.

Recent projects with a Victorian rail infrastructure organisation and a prominent airline, saw Drew help workers identify and overcome their safety issues.

“The wrong gloves were being used for different applications from tram-collision areas, workshops, and welding stations… to chemical management and maintenance,” says Drew. “Workers were handling glass, sharp metal and abrasive surfaces, oils, hydraulic fluids, and chemicals, so a clear safety plan needed to be in place.”

With education on best practice hand protection proving a key piece of the puzzle, he created a glove matrix focusing on factors such as dexterity, cut resistance, rip, and fit. This not only involved consolidating the range across all sites but, served as a reference guide for workers to ensure correct glove use aligned to their specific jobs.

Beyond his role as an advisor, he’s an influential member of safety committees for large customer operations, offering expertise in the latest technologies and innovations.

Drew knows how to shift gears. A friendly demeanour, infamous dad jokes, and an outdoors enthusiast at heart, he enjoys spending time on Melbourne’s beaches and campervanning expeditions with his family.

HOW ON-GUN FUME EXTRACTION HAS CHANGED THE GAME

When it comes to welding fume exposure, welders are not the only workers at risk. In fact, a welding fume particle that is 0.5 μm in size can take 2 days to reach the floor when released from a height of 1.5 metres. This demonstrates just how long these particles can remain suspended in the air. It’s vital to consider this when other workers are sharing an environment with welders, as the air could contain respiratory hazards long after welding has been completed.

A recent survey showed only 10% of Australian and New Zealand workplaces use engineering controls to remove welding fume from the environment, while 80% of workers around welders do not wear ANY form of respiratory protection.* It is an employer’s responsibility to reduce welding fume exposure to as low as reasonably practicable for all persons.

The most effective means to reach this outcome is to collect the fumes at their source and remove them from the environment altogether. To that end, there are two primary methods of achieving this: Hooded Capture Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) and On-Gun Fume Extraction.

While both solutions are proven to be highly effective in controlling welding fume, On-Gun Fume extraction was found to be more efficient according to peerreviewed research, with a Translas fume gun extracting up to 97% of welding fume with an average of 90% across a range of different test scenarios. Moreover, the collected results of this independent scientific study saw the Translas on-gun fume extractor remove 33% more welding fume from the environment than its Hooded Capture LEV counterpart.**

* 2020 Welding Fume and Respiratory Protection Survey, AWS ** 2023 Peter Knott, Georgia Csorba, Dustin Bennett, Ryan Kift. Welding fume; a comparison study of industry used control methods. Safety Journal.

In the past, the consensus with on-gun technology was that the guns were too heavy, cumbersome, and prone to interfere with the shielding gas – creating porosity issues. But not anymore.

Translas has turned this perception on its head with lightweight, manoeuvrable, and ergonomic extraction guns that deliver extremely high welding fume capture rates while leaving the shielding gas completely unaffected – boasting a 100% duty cycle.

No other welding fume control solution extracts fume at the source, removes it from the environment, and follows the welder as they move. This is especially valuable given 78% of welders require mobility when welding.**

As a result, Translas on-gun fume extraction has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the most effective methods of controlling welding fume on the market today.

ANSELL EARTH SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM

GIVING THE ENVIRONMENT A HELPING HAND

Ansell Earth’s mission towards Net Zero Emissions

Statistics from the National Waste Report* showed that in 2020-21, Australia generated 75.8 megatonnes (Mt) of total waste - that’s roughly the equivalent of the weight of 471 Sydney Opera Houses.

At Blackwoods, we know that we each need to do our part to protect our environment and natural ecosystems. Blackwoods has clearly defined emission reduction targets and is also committed to reducing waste from its operations. We understand that your business likely has similar goals of its own. That’s why we partner with suppliers that are transparent about their products and their processes and are actively striving to make their operations more sustainable.

Ansell is one of those partners that takes sustainability seriously. The Ansell Earth program focuses on reducing environmental impact in five product life cycle areas: Material, Manufacturing, Packaging, Use, and End of Use – with an end goal of transitioning to Net Zero Emissions** by 2040.

ZERO WASTE TO LANDFILL INITIATIVE

In 2019, Ansell embarked on a journey to get to Zero Waste to Landfill. They used their 5R principles of refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle to initiate changes in the way they do things. To date, five of Ansell-owned manufacturing plants have been certified as Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) under Intertek ZWL certification program, each diverting greater than 99% of its waste from landfill.

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING PROGRAM

In 2021, Ansell launched their 5-year Sustainable Packaging Program and at just two years in, they’ve already seen massive reductions in their packaging waste.

RESULTS AT THE END OF 2023

• Plastic reduction in industrial product packaging: 35% a year

• Paper reduction in industrial product packaging: 46% a year

• Recyclable materials used for packaging: 96%

• Minimising shipping volume: Gloves packed in 5 shipper case sizes

• Reduction of materials: Digital instruction manuals launched in North and Latin America. Ansell is currently working through digitalising instruction manuals for the AU market and anticipate this to be completed by end of 2024.

• Digital transformation: QR codes added to primary product packaging

PROCUREMENT PEACE OF MIND

When you buy safety gloves or other products from Ansell, you can rest assured you’re getting the personal protective equipment (PPE) you need without compromising your business’s environmental values and goals for sustainability.

“Ansell’s passion and authentic focus on sustainability is highly regarded, from achieving zero waste in their facilities, transitioning manufacturing sites away from fossil fuels and into renewable energy sources, and reducing packaging footprint. All this combined has such a good impact on our value chain, including our customers, generating a reduction in Scope 3 emissions, and enabling less waste,” says Sarnia Hobson, Blackwoods’ Head of Sustainability.

WORKHORSE. BIOMOTION / STRETCH RIPSTOP RANGE

SEEING IS BELIEVING

How Biomotion and Stretch Ripstop tech are shining bright for safety and comfort.

No matter what time of the day, workers are susceptible to the dangers that arise during construction, roadworks, and related maintenance activities. Rain, overcast conditions, heat, humidity, and poor visibility are all factors that can ultimately lead to injury or death.

At night in particular, visibility is further reduced, and the right personal protective equipment is generally the last line of defence to protect workers from hazards. This is where technology such as Biomotion really shines. Biomotion refers to retro-reflective markers, usually tape, that is placed on clothing in a way that enables the movement of the person to be easily identified. Markers are usually placed in areas around the elbows, wrists, knee joints, and chest or waist.

BIO MOTION PROVIDES AN ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF VISIBILITY

A study conducted by the Optometry research team at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) concluded that retro-reflective markers positioned in ‘biomotion’ configurations on clothing can significantly enhance the night-time visibility of road-workers. This in-turn improves safety as workers are more visible by drivers in passing vehicles and site machinery operators.

“Positioning reflective markers in this way over standard vest configurations, amplifies visual movement significantly,” says Cahal Callanan, Blackwoods Own Brand, Workwear Product Development Manager.

“In fact, by placing them at both the top and bottom of a workers’ uniform, the outline of the human body and the direction of the workers’ movement is clearer. This is particularly important on busy roads or fast laneways, where drivers are required to identify objects and make decisions quickly.”

The Aust.NZ standards “Committee SF-004-03” has introduced the ‘biomotion configuration into its standards concerning high visibility safety garments: AS/NZS 4602.1 2011.

“Biomotion’ is no longer a niche or specialised term. “For Workhorse we consider Biomotion to be now part of everyday work and safety vernacular and practice, and we aim to continue growing awareness of it in every workplace,” says Cahal. “However, it’s also about finding a balance between comfort and safety. That’s why new innovations in workwear from brands like Workhorse come into play.”

The company’s latest workwear range integrates biomotion tape as well as new ‘stretch’ ripstop technology specifically designed with the harsh Australian climate in mind. This stretch fabric ‘moves’ with the worker, and is not restricted to night-time use, but all environments where visibility is hampered such as indoor and underground worksites.

With such a focus on comfort and safety in the workplaces across Australia, the New Stretch range with Biomotion tape from Workhorse will only continue to gain popularity, while keeping workers more productive, cooler, comfortable, and safer than ever before.

The new Workhorse ‘Stretch’ range of workwear is made of 98% cotton and 2% elastane. It features underarm and upper back cooling vents, a sun collar extension, an ergonomic fit, and an elasticated waistband for ultimate comfort and movability.

HI VIS DAY

HI VIS DAY / NIGHT

HI VIS NIGHT

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING NOW AND TOMORROW

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING - What does it really mean?

Sustainable packaging is a hot topic now particularly with many states introducing or considering the introduction of Single Use Plastics (SUP) regulations.

So, what makes one packaging option more sustainable than another? Confused by all the jargon?

It is vital that procurement professionals understand the various sustainability terms being used.

• Renewable: Materials sourced from resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as responsible sourced paper.

• Biosourced / Plant-based: Materials derived from biological sources – primarily plants.*

• Compostable: Materials that can be broken down into natural elements in a compost environment.*

• Biodegradable: Materials that can be broken down by microorganisms in a natural environment over time.*

• Recyclable: Materials that can be collected, processed, and made into new products.*

*Refer to QR Code for full article for more details

WIPE AWAY WASTE

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE RIGHT TASK

Workshops and manufacturing facilities understand that cleaning is the cornerstone of any successful maintenance program. But it can also be labour intensive and costly. Absorbing liquids, removing oil, grease and grime, and working with solvents and harsh chemicals; cleaning tough surfaces isn’t easy!

Like any industrial setting, your job requires the right tool for the right application. This applies to the type of cleaning cloth you use, which can make a huge difference.

THE IMPACT IS NOT ALWAYS VISIBLE

Using a rag multiple times is often perceived as less wasteful or more sustainable than a wipe. However, traditional rags or paper towel are less absorbent, requiring more of them to effectively do the job. When rags and paper towel are used, they leave higher levels of lint on the surface. This leads to a greater amount of time spent cleaning up spills, taking you away from other productive tasks.

For a more efficient, productive, and hygienic cleaning experience, make the switch to WypAll® wiping solutions.

Each state and territory in Australia have different rules. The National Retail Association provides a summary of the ever-changing landscape in relation to single-use and problematic plastics.

HUHTAMAKI LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

As a preferred partner of Blackwoods, Huhtamaki is a global leader in sustainable food packaging solutions - disposable cups, tableware, cartons and packaged food. They use innovative technologies such as moulded fibre – a renewable, recyclable and compostable material, that can be reused up to twenty-five times before it loses its strength.

THE ANSWER IS IN THE DETAIL

“The strategy behind wiping depends on the type of mess you are tackling,” says Shamita Archi of Kimberly Clark Professional. “Our product development team at WypAll meticulously analyses each substance and surface, and the ideal way of cleaning it, engineering wipes that are specifically designed to help you accomplish your tasks.”

What’s more, WypAll® wipes dispense as a single sheet, reducing cross-contamination and wastage.

SHEDDING NEW LIGHT ON THE WORKSITE

HOW THE RIGHT LIGHT HELPS CARRY OUT JOBS CORRECTLY AND SAFELY

Working in automotive workshops, construction sites, mines or gas and petrochemical processing plants, can present unexpected challenges that impact the safety of workers and how they perform their jobs. Having the right light can make all the difference; specialised systems that withstand the toughest situations, or meet strict Ex and IECEx safety standards.

Outputting light at specific colour temperatures, or simply providing flexible, reliable illumination, means work lights must be fit-for-purpose. That’s where Ledlenser’s range of portable work lights come in - offering solutions for any environment, no matter the task.

EX7 TORCH

With the smallest spark having potentially catastrophic consequences in industrial operations, the Ex-Zone 0/20 rated Ledlenser EX7 torch is designed for use in spaces subject to explosive gases, vapours and dust such as fuel tanks and grain elevators. Workers can easily operate the torch while wearing gloves thanks to the large magnetic switch, seamlessly adjust the light beam between spot or flood via the patented Advanced Focus System and be more productive with a battery life of up to 45 hours.

W7R WORK AREA LIGHT

For automotive professionals, consistently and accurately colour matching a vehicle’s paint against the manufacturer’s paint chips requires a light with a high colour rendering index (CRI) and multiple colour temperature outputs. The Ledlenser W7R Work area light features a wide-area COB LED with continuously adjustable colour temperatures between warm/cool white light (4000 to 7500K). A fold-out rotatable lamp head illuminates narrow work areas evenly, and UV light in the lamp head detects leaks.

“Our ‘not one light fits all’ approach responds to our customers’ unique needs and focus on quality,” says Andrew Vaughan, APAC Sales Manager (Industrial/Hardware), Zen. “In potentially explosive environments, or specialised tasks like automotive colour matching where minor mistakes can lead to costly detailing reworks, selecting the right lighting is critical to achieving the best outcomes.”

H7R HEADLAMP

As you have come to expect from Ledlenser, the intuitive H7R Work headlamp is bright, reliable and flicker-free, making it ideal for a mix of construction and factory applications. Ledlenser’s Smart Light Technology offers simple light beam adjustment, integrated in a robust design for dust, water and impact protection.

If you want to brighten up worksite safety and deliver higher quality outcomes, then it’s time to equip your team with the right lighting that meets their specialised tasks.

ESAB CORDLESS BATTERY POWERED WELDER - RAMPAGE VOLT

UN-LEAD YOURSELF

The ESAB Cordless Battery Powered Welder – Rampage Volt ES200i

Portability is not usually a word you would associate with welding. Welders have traditionally been limited by their environment. In workshops, welders are bound to the nearest power points and a time-consuming setup process. Fieldwork often requires heavy fuel-depended generators that are difficult to transport.

ESAB ON A RAMPAGE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

ESAB, in partnership with DeWalt, has now developed a game-changing solution: the ESAB Rampage VOLT ES200i Stick/TIG cordless batterypowered welder. This groundbreaking innovation is a big step forward in terms of portability and convenience in welding. Whilst it can use 240-volt mains, its effective battery power system, provides welders the flexibility and freedom in remote areas, at on-site projects

without power access, and in any situation where mobility is a key factor.

The weld-ready-pack includes an electrode holder and lead, return lead and clamp, four 12 Ah 18V/54V FLEXVOLT DeWalt batteries, a four-port fast charger, facilitating both STICK with Voltage Reduction Device built in (MMAW with VRD) and (Optional) Safe-DC TIG (GTAW) welding. “All you need then is a capable trained welder, your favourite welding electrodes,

like the OK53.16 (E7016) Twin Coat sticks, and you’re ready to weld almost anywhere,” says Paul Morgan of Cigweld, ESAB South Pacific.

“ESAB Rampage Volt is a game changer and a solution for environments when local mains power is not available. This will also change the welding options when welding remotely and in confined spaces. It offers power, portability, and performance like nothing else in its class.”

BEYOND PORTABILITY

THE BENEFITS OF THE RAMPAGE VOLT ES200I EXTEND BEYOND ITS PORTABILITY.

SAFETY - significantly enhances safety by eliminating the need for generators, which require liquid fuel (petrol or diesel), emit noxious fumes and present their own set of handling and transport risks. Battery powered welding capability of the VOLT ES200i eliminates the need for long extension leads and the potential trip hazards associated.

SIZE - 5x smaller and lighter (19kg (24.5kg with Battery Box and 4x12Ah batteries)) than typical compact weldergenerators, making it easy to carry in one or two pieces to locations where generators can’t fit.

TIME-SAVING - with less labour required and a straightforward setup, machinery can be welded and operational much quicker, making it especially valuable in sectors like mining, agriculture and construction. With the VOLT ES200i you can be on-site, weld, close out and be onto the next job, even before an Engine Drive welder is set up.

VERSATILE - runs on 240-volt mains or DEWALT 18V/54V FLEXVOLT batteries. Batteries offer the capacity to burn up to 30 (E6013) 2.5mm electrodes on a single charge using four 12 Ah batteries. With the aid of an optional TIG Torch with on/ off button (for Safe-TIG) you can TIG weld stainless or carbon steels using the DC-LIFT-TIG function.

POWERFUL - offers a 200A output on AC mains (230V) with VRD as well as up to 140A output on battery power. For welders seeking a portable, versatile, safe and efficient solution, the ESAB Rampage VOLT ES200i STICK/TIG welder is a revolutionary tool that allows you to get the job done, anytime, anywhere, without fuss.

GEOFF CHARLTON Technical Specialist

Gas, Welding and Abrasives

A boilermaker by trade and a veteran in the industrial space, Geoff knows his way around gas, welding and abrasives. Prior to joining Blackwoods, he worked for Supagas, Syntec Diamond Tools, and a subsidiary of Bosch specialising in abrasives. Known for his calm demeanour, customers turn to Geoff for his technical knowledge and ability to problem solve on the fly.

Leveraging Blackwoods’ multidisciplinary capability and resources, coupled with Geoff’s technical know-how, he’s got a knack for building relationships. He regularly works with metalworkers, earthmoving equipment repairers, major miners, and even TAFE colleges. For his customers, the right solution that suits specific jobs is something that can’t simply be found ‘on-the-shelf’.

When a top tier nickel mining project on the west coast urgently needed a new welding machine, Geoff was top of mind. “The maintenance guy responsible sent me a description of what machine he wanted plus a few tech specs,” says Geoff. “Based on my previous experience across mining, I knew exactly what he needed. I compiled a few options and a quote within the hour. This was followed by an order and was onsite within a couple of days.”

When he’s not out in the field, Geoff is actively involved in the local church, pursues his love of music as a bass and rhythm guitarist in bands. He also sees himself applying his trade skills by helping his kids repair their old cars and maintenance issues around the house.

MAKING FLUID MODES OF TRAINING A REALITY

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES IN HYDRAULICS TRAINING USING MIXED REALITY

Hydraulic engineering is a notoriously under-staffed industry. To address this skills deficit, HYDAC have developed multiple avenues to access their award-winning portfolio of training programs and systems integration, including face-to-face, online, and the innovative mixed reality.

WHAT IS MIXED REALITY?

Virtual Reality (VR) immerses users in a fully digital environment, disconnecting them from the physical world. Augmented Reality (AR) enhances the real world by overlaying digital information onto it, allowing users to interact with both real and virtual elements simultaneously. Mixed reality uses a combination of the two - a reality that does not take place exclusively in either the physical or virtual worlds, but a hybrid of reality and virtual reality.

Eddie Alves, HYDAC Australia and New Zealand Marketing Manager, explains… “Currently, Australia has a significant shortage of workers qualified to maintain hydraulic machinery. In 2020, we partnered with Deakin University (Deakin Motion Lab) to bridge this skills gap.”

HOW DOES IT WORK?

On-demand virtual reality (VR) training means workers can access training anywhere and at any time using a special VR headset. They can then progress on to instructor-guided training where they have access to virtual, personalised one-on-one support. Once the technician is out in the field, augmented reality headsets allow them to get real-time assistance as well as access detailed schematics, exploded views of machinery and popup instructions, guides, videos and safety instructions.

THE IDEAL SOLUTIONS TO SAVE ON TIME, RISK AND ERRORS

Using mixed reality training not only eliminates the time and hassle of getting to training centres but also has safety and accuracy implications.

Traditionally, technicians would be trained on dangerous equipment, which presents an obvious safety risk. Using a virtual environment for training means that technicians can study, disassemble, reassemble, and adjust photo-realistic objects without any risk to either the trainee or the machinery.

Remote supervisors or master technicians can don a headset to step in virtually at any point during a job and provide assistance, quality control and check that nothing has been missed.

“It’s evident that our comprehensive hydraulic training options not only contribute to cost savings, but also cater to the needs of students in challenging locations,” says Eddie.

“By offering training solutions that can be accessed remotely or tailored for on-site delivery, we’re ensuring that even in difficult locations, students can acquire essential skills efficiently.”

FOOTWEAR THAT FITS FOR THE JOB

THE IMPORTANCE OF CORRECTLY FITTING SAFETY FOOTWEAR

According to Safe Work Australia, around 21% of all work-related serious claims are for lower limb injuries and 22% are for falls, trips or slips. This shows the importance of safety footwear as an essential part of personal protective equipment (PPE).

But it’s not enough to just have the correct footwear. Workers also need to have the correct fit in both width and length. More than two-thirds of Australian workers compensate for a too-narrow shoe by going a size up in length, but this negates the protective elements of the footwear that are designed for specific parts of the foot. The Safe Work regulations of the harmonised act also specify that PPE including safety footwear must be the right size and fit.

UVEX SOLUTION IS A LEAP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

To address this problem, our partner in safety footwear, uvex has used 3D scans of hundreds of Australian workers’ feet to develop their uvex multiple fit system, offering extra wide fit in sizes from EU 41/UK 7 – EU 48/UK 13. This means workers can get both the right length and width for their feet to keep them safe and comfortable on the job.

They also offer the uvex fit advisor app that can quickly and easily recommend your boot size from three calibrated images, as well as recommend a uvex tuneup 2.0 insole that provides tailored support specific to low, neutral, and high arched foot types.

“Everyone has a different foot structure, and the requirements of these foot types vary considerably,” says Dr Caleb Wegener, Director of Product Management, uvex.

The uvex tuneup 2.0 foot-type specific insoles allows workers to customise their fit with a comfort support insole specific for their foot type and maintain the certification of their safety footwear.

Using advanced scientific algorithms, the uvex fit advisor app uses three calibrated images of the foot to recommend the correct footwear length, width and uvex tuneup 2.0 insole specific to their foot type based on scientific data.

The uvex fit advisor app can be used instore, onsite or at home using either a calibration plate, A4 or A3 piece of paper. The uvex fit advisor app is available for free from the Apple App store and Google Play.

uvex has over 60 years of history in designing, developing, and manufacturing safety footwear and are a leader in Europe renowned for their scientific and innovative approach to protecting people.

A comfortable worker is a productive worker, and when it comes to the comfort and safety of your team, uvex can help you put your best foot forward.

SAFETY FOOTWEAR THAT IS TOO BIG CAN LEAD TO PROBLEMS, SUCH AS:

• Increased risk of tripping due to less ground clearance.

• Reduced toe cap protection, leaving feet more exposed to injuries.

• Misalignment between the foot’s key flex points and the footwear, causing the worker to walk inefficiently and fatigue faster, thus lessening productivity.

• A heightened risk of blisters, which is especially problematic for people with diabetes or poor circulation, where a blister could lead to ulceration and even leg amputation.

SAFETY FOOTWEAR THAT IS TOO TIGHT CAN LEAD TO PROBLEMS, SUCH AS:

• Nerve entrapments, causing pain, discomfort, and numbness.

• Damaged intermetatarsal nerves, which may result in Morton’s Neuromas.

• Increased risk of rubbing, blistering, and, ultimately, more severe complications.

ENERGIZER® HIGH PERFORMANCE BATTERIES

ENERGIZER® KEEPS SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION GOING AND GOING

High-performance batteries to help minimise environmental impact

In the realm of battery manufacturing, Energizer® has long been a torchbearer in innovative solutions to not only provide high-performance batteries but also champion sustainability.

PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP

Energizer’s journey of innovation began over a century ago, with the creation of the first dry-cell battery and the first consumer battery. But it’s their sustainability advancements that have set an impressive industry benchmark, most notably the creation of the world’s first

zero-mercury alkaline battery in 1991 and the world’s first AA and AAA batteries made with 4% recycled content in 2016. Today, they have 22% recycled content in their rechargeable batteries and up to 7% recycled material in selected sizes across their Industrial, Max Plus and Lithium ranges.

Energizer® is part of B-Cycle, Australia’s first Battery Stewardship Scheme. Many brands and retailers partner with this scheme that supports product stewardship for the entire lifecycle of the product, from import to recovery at end of life. End users have many options to return used batteries and safely dispose of them, and allow them to have a second life through suitable recovery means.

“Energizer’s innovation with using recycled steel in the casing of batteries is really positive, and with design enhancements for more durable and longer lasting batteries – this helps businesses and end users save money and time,” says Sarnia Hobson, Head of Sustainability at Blackwoods. “When batteries are recycled via B-Cycle, we better consider our environment and carbon footprint when safely disposing of these products.”

The company actively participates in global initiatives to promote responsible battery use and recycling. By educating consumers and collaborating with recycling programs, they ensure that from design to disposal, every step is optimised to minimise environmental impact.

LONG-LASTING BATTERY HAS ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR YOU

Energizer® batteries are designed to last longer, which directly translates to less environmental waste. Fewer battery replacements mean fewer batteries produced and a reduced carbon footprint.

“A great example are hotel door card readers, each requiring four AA batteries. A simple conversion from Energizer® Industrial to high performance batteries like the Energizer® Max Plus range, can halve the number of batteries used,” says Steve Daw, National Account Manager, Energizer®.

“This longevity can also benefit a business financially. The high-performance, long-lasting nature of Energizer® batteries means one can spend significantly less time swapping out batteries across various devices. The biggest users include mine sites, which can achieve up to 15,000 hours of annual changeover time savings.”

Energizer’s legacy of innovation is deeply intertwined with their commitment to sustainability. At Blackwoods, we want to help your business reach its sustainability goals, which is why we partner with companies like Energizer® that put sustainable innovation at the centre of their business operations.

ASSET PROTECTION: WEAR AND ABRASION

HOW SELECTING ADHESIVES WITH THE RIGHT SPECS COMBATS WEAR

It’s no surprise that when one material moves over the surface of another, the softer of the two materials wears out at some point. We’ve all seen the impact abrasion wear has on the reliability and longevity of fixed plant and equipment – from equipment failure and costly part replacements to unplanned shutdowns.

With many factors including aggregate hardness, shape, mass, and velocity influencing abrasion wear, it’s critical you choose the right adhesives for the right application. That’s where epoxy protection systems like Devcon® Megawear can be used as a line of defence against

abrasion. Devcon® Megawear is a high density, alumina ceramic bead-filled, toughened epoxy system with improved flexibility modifiers that enhances impact resistance. It’s non-sag formulation makes shaping and mixing the epoxy easy with excellent hang-up on vertical and overhead surfaces.

For particle sizes less than 3mm, Devcon® Wear Guard Fine Load is ideal for dust particulate applications, slurry pumps, scrubbers, screens, and screw conveyors. The product is a wear-resistant, non-sag, epoxy putty containing highalumina ceramic beads. These beaded

compounds incorporate ceramic fillers that are extremely hard and encapsulated in a strong epoxy system, which offer prolonged protection and optimised wear life.

There’s also additives such as coupling agents and crosslinkers, that are incorporated into the epoxy chemistry to provide toughness, and a bond between the epoxy and the ceramic fillers. The better the epoxy system and coupling agent combination, the longer the ceramic beads remain in place, meaning a long protective period between coating maintenance.

Typically, four abrasive wear mechanisms exist, at a microscopic level they present and result as:

1. Cutting – hard and/or sharp structures cut into the softer materials

2. Fracture – brittle (micro) fracture, which occurs in most ceramics

3. Fatigue – repeated (plastic) deformation of the material, like with ductile materials

4. Grain pull-out – detachment of material grain at the weaker boundaries, as is the case with ceramics

If you’re in the market for adhesives to combat wear and abrasion, then it’s time to explore the Devcon® range.

SPECIALITY AND HEAVY INDUSTRIAL BOOTS FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS

SPECIALITY SAFETY BOOTS THAT MAKE LIGHT WORK OF HEAVY JOBS

If you’ve ever stepped foot on an industrial worksite, you understand the right personal protective equipment (PPE) can be the difference between life and death. The risk of injuries is endless; punctures, crushing, sprains, lacerations, slips, trips, falls, molten splashes, extreme heat or cold, live electrical equipment, sparks from electrostatic build-up, harmful chemicals, fatigue… the list goes on.

One brand taking giant steps forward in protecting workers against these types of injuries is Oliver Footwear. With features such as water resistance, sole penetration protection, and metatarsal protection against impact and crush injuries, the enhanced SAFETYcell® technology ensures comprehensive foot protection from impact and abrasion, keeping workers safe at every step. The innovative SAFETYcell® utilises advanced, high-performing upper constructions, and comprises of toe bumper, coated leather shell, and heel guard.

“We’re proud to have become the go-to safety footwear partner for worksites that deal with specialised industrial applications,” says Brett Huggins, Oliver Footwear, Product Development Manager. “Working directly with end users, industry leaders and peak bodies such as AFAC and Standards Australia, we’ve developed a reputation for quality, highly engineered boots that stand up to Australia’s toughest conditions.”

In industries such as mining, petrochemicals, fire and emergency services, and metal and aluminium casting and smelting, not just any footwear hits the mark.

That’s why Oliver’s specialist AT 65 Series and AT 66 Series boots are engineered specifically to meet the unique requirements of these work environments.

As a major supplier to Australian fire and rescue services, the rubber sole in Oliver’s AT 66 Series of firefighter boots incorporate fire retardant and waterresistant leathers, fireproof laces, quick release zip closures for easy entry and release. Separately, for smelter and metal working applications, Oliver’s AT 66-399 boots are designed to survive alumina pot room dip tests at 960º Celsius for at least three seconds without allowing the molten material to penetrate the boot.

Underground mines are frequently wet environments, particularly when crews carry out drilling activities. That’s why Oliver has waterproofed their AT 65-791 mining boots, ensuring added comfort and protection during extended work shifts.

Aside from guaranteed comfort, Oliver’s range of boots are manufactured to the most stringent safety standards including AS2210.3:2019 (ISO 20345:2011, MOD), ASTM F2413-18, and EN ISO 20345:2011.

So, if you’re ready to step up safety, upgrade to Oliver, a brand that’s been protecting the feet of workers across Australia and New Zealand for over 130 years.

CLIMBING NEW HEIGHTS

STAIR CLIMBER TROLLEYS THAT AREN’T A FLIGHT RISK

If you’ve worked in transport, logistics, manufacturing, retail or maintenance, you’re familiar with the risks posed by lugging heavy gear up and down flights of stairs. Before carrying a load on stairs, it’s always important to check the weight, size, and shape of the load, the condition of the stairs, and the availability of handrails or other aids.

Manual handling in these environments can put workers at risk of serious injury, which only increases when proper equipment isn’t available. There’s the increased stress from lifting and climbing on stairs that can put additional strain on muscles, joints, and spine, particularly if the load is heavy or awkward. Then, there’s loss of balance when moving up and down stairs, which affects stability and can increase the chance of falling or dropping the load.

One way to mitigate these risks is by using a stair climber trolley, which is ideal for transporting industrial equipment, office supplies or

whitegoods, over stairs. Designed for transport, logistics, and general use, the high-quality stair climber trolley is suitable for transporting bulky and awkward items over stairs. It features a robust double tubular frame construction with various handle points, a high-quality powder coated finish, and is fitted with stair climber wheels for safely transporting items up/down stairs.

With a load rating of 250kg, the stair climber trolley has become a popular choice for businesses that need to move goods up and down stairs day in, day out.

If you want your workers to move goods safely and more efficiently, the Easyroll stair climber trolley may just be the missing equipment your business needs.

“Our Easyroll stair climber trolley offers a practical and efficient solution for overcoming stairs,” says Johnny Syal, EHI Australia National Sales Manager. “It is equipped with wheels that rotate independently, allowing it to navigate staircases or uneven surfaces more smoothly. This reduces the need for manual lifting and carrying, which in-turn lowers the risk of injury for workers.”

CONNECTING MAJOR PIPEWORK THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA

Australia is home to some of the most remote and demanding mineral transfer and processing plants in the world, and as such require strong, reliable, and safe studbolting connections. The risk of failure or downtime in these environments can cause major safety, environmental and production issues. A situation every business wants to avoid. Addressing these issues requires the right fastener and a partner you can trust.

Blackwoods’ in-house petrochemical studbolt facility – QBC Engineering – offers quality custom fastening solutions for a wide range of industries including mineral processing, oil refining, fluid and gas transfer, and more.

“We’re a solution shop for fasteners with a product range to suit any business and application,” says Phil Longworth, Blackwoods Sourcing and Project Manager.

“Not only do we have technical specialists available to provide selection advice, but our petrochemical studbolt finishing facility allow us to produce strong and reliable bolts of various lengths with specialised coatings to meet specific requirements.”

QBC offers traceability on all its fastener solutions from raw material to finished product on site.

NAT COPPIN

• ISO 9001:2015 BSI certification

• ASTM standard certification to ensure strength and quality

• All petrochemical studbolts independently tested by internationally accredited facilities

• QBC fasteners brand is exclusive to Blackwoods

• A full suite of standard, specialised and one-off fasteners

• Comprehensive specification, sourcing, and selection expertise

• Automated re-ordering and total inventory management

• Dedicated fastener warehouse and engineering studbolt facility

Technical Specialist Fasteners and Power Tools

A glazier by trade, Nat joined Blackwoods 18 years ago, a journey that has seen him rise through the ranks from customer service roles to leading the national fasteners and power tools team. He loves getting down to the nuts and bolts and delivering real solutions to customers.

From world-class stadiums, renewable energy plants and quarries, to high security prisons, defence shipyards and playgrounds, different materials and applications require specific types of fasteners. As Nat puts it, “A nut and bolt is never just a nut and bolt”. If you get it wrong, the structural integrity and security of critical infrastructure is compromised.

Nat worked on a large stadium construction project in Perth with contractors and a specialist construction engineer. Nat lent his considerable product expertise and tailored a solution that involved the manufacture of bespoke fasteners for all the balustrading, handrails and seating used in the stadium “I’m extremely proud of what we accomplished given the sizeof the stadium. It’s a great example of Blackwoods’ capability in the Fasteners space.”

When he’s not advising on tools and fasteners, Nat’s spending time with his family, tinkering with his 1971 Datsun 1600, mentoring young boxers at the local PCYC boxing gym, or assisting the community as a veteran volunteer for the State Emergency Service.

TAKING SAFETY TO NEW HEIGHTS

PLAYING LEGO WITH LADDERS AND PLATFORMS

Did you ever play Lego or Meccano as a child? Now you can do the life-size version. Bailey’s Ladderweld Access Platforms are your starting point, with a large stable work platform, 900 mm high removable handrails, an access gate, 125 mm wheels, and a manually operated braking system.

To this, you can add the Modular Access System in whatever configuration you need to safely access your machinery or stock. With an up to 1.65m platform height, unlimited shape configurations of the bridge modules, and a massive 200kg load rating per module, this is the ideal solution for a range of applications across warehousing, transport, vehicle maintenance, mining, aviation, and heavy industry workplaces.

A COST-EFFECTIVE SYSTEM TO MAKE WORKING AT HEIGHTS EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND SAFE

What goes up, must come down, and when your workers are working at heights, ensuring their safety is crucial.

But when you have a small to medium-sized project - whether it be maintenance, cleaning, packing or picking products - a ladder can prove cumbersome and unsafe, and scaffolding may just be overkill and an unnecessary expense. According to hipages, a 2m high x 1.3m wide x 2.5m long temporary hire scaffold will set you back at least $2600. This is where a Modular Access System is an ideal solution.

BENEFITING YOUR WORKERS AND YOUR BOTTOM LINE

The Modular Access System comes flat-packed off the shelf, so it’s easy to transport and install instantly without the cost of bringing in certified scaffolders. Its safety gates with a ‘walk thru’ design, make it not only a safe but a flexible solution.

Made from heavy-duty aluminium, this system is built to last high-frequency and heavy-duty use, while still being lightweight and easy to manoeuvre.

Bentley Rhane from WernerCo Australia went on to say, “The Modular Access System is operated with foot operated ‘total-brake’ castors for stability and flexibility in use and even storage.”

The Bailey’s Ladderweld Modular Access System is a versatile and convenient solution to ensure your workers get the job done and home to their families safely.

“Adding unlimited Bridge Modules into varying length, shape configurations and even heights, will perfectly solve your distinctive employee safe task requirement by providing suitable access for their

height

and

reach.”

- Bentley C Rhane, WernerCo Australia, National Sales Operations Manager

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE, OPERATE PROACTIVELY

REDUCE UNPLANNED DOWNTIME WITH EFFECTIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS IN INDUSTRIES

Like mining, oil and gas, power generation, and wastewater treatment, equipment can take a beating. If left too long, missing repairs can lead to long periods of downtime to replace machinery, which could cost you hundreds and thousands of dollars in operation costs and a big reduction in working hours.

While it might be tempting to wait until something breaks down to fix it, a little proactive maintenance of your plant and equipment could make a huge difference to your business profits and productivity.

A STITCH IN TIME

Henkel is our partner in offering creative solutions to ensure that you can keep your plant and equipment operating smoothly and mitigate any risk of breakdowns.

TRAINING COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

Henkel’s industrial maintenance training courses and maintenance reliability workshops offer in-depth knowledge of maintenance best practices and product applications. They aim to educate both new and experienced teams on selecting the right products and applying them effectively to save time, reduce costs and improve safety.

ON-SITE SURVEYS AND MAINTENANCE RELIABILITY ANALYSES

Henkel can help uncover inefficiencies and potential areas for improvement within your facility. Their on-site plant surveys and analyses focus on preventing common equipment failures, such as Threaded Fastener failures, Threaded Fittings leaks, shaft misalignment and gasket failure, through recommendations, hands-on training and expert advice.

LOCTITE® PRODUCTS AND APPLICATION TRAINING PROGRAMS

Henkel offers LOCTITE® products and services for maintaining operational efficiency, including adhesives, epoxies, sealants and coatings. From the automotive, aerospace and marine industries to oil and gas, wind energy, chemical processing and heavy machinery, their products can be used to bond, seal, repair cracks, coat pipelines and storage tanks, and secure bolted joints and bearings. LOCTITE® also provides application training programs to tailor your maintenance solutions to your business needs.

“We see time and time again the value of quality training across many customer operations. The impact of such can be measured in a couple of ways - increased availability of plant and equipment by reducing unplanned down time, and by providing customers with best practice application techniques and safe use of Loctite Adhesive technologies,” says Neil Board of Henkel Australia.

“The process is simple. Our application engineers would conduct a customer site visit to understand specific needs and challenges, and tailor a training session designed to significantly reduce the risk of chronic equipment failure. It’s about helping our customers achieve a ‘World Class Maintenance’ standard.”

EFFECTIVE HOSE MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT

HOSE CONNECT

EFFICIENT HOSE MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT

In environments like workshops and plant facilities, finding more innovative and efficient ways to manage hose systems couldn’t be more important. It’s about focusing on managing your asset and improving operational efficiencies, without worrying about product safety and reliability.

In industries like construction, mining, food and beverage, and chemical handling, establishing the correct hose connections is critical. Whether it’s underground air and water hoses, dust suppression hoses used with jackhammers in construction, or the conveyance of food and beverage items, precision is essential. If leaks, ruptured hoses, component wear or mechanical faults occur at any point, this is where Dixon comes into play.

The right connection, combined with digitally connected solutions like Dixon’s Hose Connect, are enabling maintenance teams to make more informed decisions based on in-depth predictive insights. This hose maintenance management system allows operators to track how their hoses are being managed all via a secure, personalised online cloud-based portal.

“Hose Connect aims to provide businesses with greater visibility over their operations and take actionable corrective measures where required,” says Steve Glatz, Dixon National Sales and Marketing Manager. “It’s more than just an online platform that enables users to develop proactive maintenance schedules and procedures to maximise operational efficiencies.”

Users will be able to extend hose life by improving the way they manage their product usage. This directly impacts performance, productivity, and part replacement costs. It also gives users unique access to hose technicians and inspectors that can offer expert maintenance advice for their specific hose systems.

HOSE CONNECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Access to seasoned experts, hose inspectors, and technicians

• Comprehensive asset hose register with detailed identification tagging

• Complete traceability of all assembly components for different hoses

• Visualised insights with in-depth field reports and a photographic library of findings

• Data-driven insights that support the development of tailored maintenance plans

• Mitigates uncertainties around safety, integrity, and cost-effectiveness

• Personalised access provided by Dixon for a seamless user experience

• Extensive range of Dixon products available through Blackwoods

INNOVATIVE CLEANING SOLUTION FOR BITUMEN BUILD-UP

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE BITUMEN CLEANING SOLUTION FOR INDUSTRIES

In the construction, road building, roofing and waterproofing industries, bitumen build-up is a common problem. If you work in one of these sectors, you will know how important a strong, effective cleaning fluid is to maintain machinery and equipment. However, many hardy cleaning solutions are both hazardous for operators.

THE RISKS OF CONVENTIONAL BITUMEN CLEANING FLUIDS

For years, these industries have relied on hazardous fluids such as Diesel and Kerosene for bitumen cleaning, however, these substances pose significant risks to the worker. In the first instance they contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which contribute to air pollution and pose health hazards, which could lead to respiratory problems and skin irritation. With a flashpoint of 40°C, Kerosene is also defined as a Class Three Flammable Liquid under the Australian Dangerous Good Code, and a Hazardous Chemical as per the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, which means it can present a risk of injury to workers, if not managed appropriately.

Additionally, if these fluids seep into the ground, they can potentially contaminate soil and water sources endangering wildlife and ecosystems. From a bottomline perspective, the hazardous nature of these substances necessitates strict handling and transport, and disposal protocols, adding to operational costs and complexities.

RECOCHEM TO THE RESCUE

To meet the Australian road and infrastructure market’s need for a tough and highperforming but safer cleaning fluid, Recochem has developed Recosol 195. It offers an innovative solution specifically designed to address health concerns associated with traditional bitumen cleaning fluids.

Recosol 195 is a premium, non-hazardous and cleaning fluid that does the job without compromising the health of your workers and your business goals.

“Historically, cleaning bitumen has often involved fluids that are readily available, such as Diesel, Kerosene, or Specialty products containing strong solvents such as D Limonene,” says James McAllister, Business Development Manager - Special Projects, Recochem. “These fluids all work to some extent however they are all hazardous as illustrated by the fact that they require several GHS pictograms. Further, overexposure to these fluids can cause dizziness, incoordination, and long-term health effects. They also have strong odours.”

By contrast, Recosol 195 is a strong solvent, low odour, and can dissolve bitumen and asphalt readily. Due to the high Flash Point (>170°C), the evaporation rate is slower.

BENEFITS OF RECOSOL 195

SAFER FOR WORKERS:

A great success story is Cobar Shire Council, who approached Blackwoods needing assistance in finding a nonhazardous solution.

“They required a product that was as effective as Kerosene,” says, Corey O’Keefe, Account Manager, Blackwoods Dubbo. With the help of Blackwoods’ Hygiene and Cleaning division and Recochem, trials of Recosol 195 resulted in favourable outcomes.

“The results were remarkable. So much so, another council who trialled this product have now requested quotes on 200L and 1000L units."

Corey went on to say, “The council was extremely happy with the results. Recosol 195 has since been a successful solution for other Councils, with feedback unanimous that it’s a much more pleasant fluid to work with, because of its low odour.”

EVERY PROBLEM HAS A BETTER SOLUTION

At Blackwoods, we constantly search out partners that are pushing the boundaries of innovation to develop safer and effective solutions. Recosol 195 represents more than just an alternative to traditional bitumen cleaning methods, it embodies a shift towards innovation and safety in industrial operations.

As our customers continue to seek safer solutions and materials to perform their tasks, we will continue to ensure we have strong partnerships with companies like Recochem, so that you can meet your business goals by procuring non-hazardous materials while running a safe and successful business.

Unlike Diesel or Kerosene, Recosol 195 is non-toxic and doesn’t emit VOCs, ensuring a safer working environment and reducing the risk of health issues associated with traditional cleaning fluids. With no GHS pictograms, and a flash point of 170°C, this solution is both highperforming and provides a safetyfirst application for your workers.

EFFECTIVE CLEANING:

Recosol 195 doesn’t compromise on effectiveness. A Kauri-butanol (Kb) value serves as an internationally standardised indicator of the solvent power of a hydrocarbon solvent. This measure reflects a fluid's solvency capacity, where a higher Kb value indicates a more potent solvent. Recosol 195, with its Kb value of 54, demonstrates greater solvent strength compared to Kerosene and Diesel, which have Kb values of 34 and 32, respectively. This makes it highly effective at removing bitumen.

COST-EFFECTIVE:

By mitigating the risks of health hazards, Recosol 195 can reduce the long-term costs associated with workplace safety. Its efficiency also means you require less product for cleaning, further reducing your costs.

Before and after - the cleaning power of Recosol 195 on a bitumen covered tank.

Bitumen Spray truck at a local road sealing company. Left is competitor product, with the right Recosol 195.

TACKLING THE AUSSIE CLIMATE

INDUSTRIAL COOLING, HEATING AND VENTILATION SOLUTIONS FOR A MORE COMFORTABLE AND PRODUCTIVE WORKSITE

The Aussie climate throws plenty of curveballs. Fluctuating temperatures, heat, cold, and airborne pollutants make it difficult to find the right balance when it comes to the safety and comfort of workers.

We’ve all experienced the impact this has on our health, morale, and performance. Prolonged exposure can lead to fatigue, lower concentration, decreased productivity and a higher risk of accidents.

SafeWork NSW states that workplace temperatures should be between 20 and 26 degrees, depending on outdoor air temperature and the physicality of the work performed. Other factors that affect thermal comfort include humidity, radiant heat from workplace

machinery, and airflow. This highlights the importance of investing in efficient cooling and heating solutions such as industrial fans, coolers, and heaters, to maintain a comfortable workplace environment.

“Temperature isn’t the only risk to workers’ health, but toxic fumes and dust, which can have lifelong damage to lungs and airways, and even cause cancer,” says Ian Wymer, Fanmaster Director. “It’s the responsibility of business owners to protect their people, by removing dust and toxic gases using various ventilation solutions, including fixed, ducted, or portable exhaust fans and air filtration systems.”

If creating a safe, comfortable and productive workplace is important to you, Fanmaster’s industrial cooling, heating and ventilation solutions will help you reap the rewards.

GARRY SEAMAN

Technical Specialist Electrical

As a technical specialist for Blackwoods’ electrical portfolio, Garry draws on 40 plus years of industry experience, almost 20 of those with Wattmaster. No matter how big or small a job, he thrives on getting results, and his relentless focus on finding solutions and fixing issues is what keeps him going.

When ‘hot-shotting’ critical parts to the country’s largest miners, Garry is the go-to person for everything electrical. Whether it’s a $9 or $9,000 part, he understands that keeping major projects up and running requires the right supplier and the right products.

A recent example saw a critical piece of mining machinery lose power, which had the potential of completely shutting down the site if a replacement part wasn’t found within 24 hours. Finding the same part or an equivalent isn’t so easy, however with Garry’s technical knowledge, experience, and strong supplier relationships, he was the right person for the job. After exhausting every possible option in every corner of the country, he located a suitable power transformer, put it on the next flight from Sydney to Adelaide, then arranged transport via truck directly to the remote mine.

Outside his job, he’s not just a family man, but also a self-proclaimed ‘rev head’ and car racing enthusiast by nature. He plans to head to Daytona with his wife to further fuel their Holden vs Ford competitive spirit.

THE LATEST EVOLUTION OF ABRASIVES TO MAXIMISE PERFORMANCE

LEAVE THE GRIND BEHIND

Next generation abrasives produce more, with less

New research has identified several influential trends that are helping abrasive manufacturers and suppliers achieve best practice, improve workforce engagement and mitigate safety risks. These include an aging workforce, health and safety expectations, process automation, inflationary pressures, and sustainability prioritisation.

A major driver behind the development of new abrasive technologies in recent years is the demand for better product life, speed and finish consistency, while delivering higher throughput and lower costs. This relies on productivity improvements in the abrasive selection process, which is set to be a key theme in the years ahead.

As any workshop would know, grinding not only wears down abrasives and equipment, but constant vibrations and the stress of holding a grinder at different angles for long periods of time, has a physical toll on metalworkers. Wastage is also a big problem as abrasives can wear down quickly and are thrown away. These have both an environmental impact, but also results in tool downtime, reducing the time your team spends grinding.

The new 3M™ Cubitron™ 3 abrasives are designed to support workshops in overcoming these challenges by producing more, with less.

“Our latest technology continues to evolve and provide customers with the highest levels of precision, productivity and performance,” says Nathan Bamford, 3M Application Engineer for the Abrasive Systems Division. “The Cubitron™ 3 range is not only designed to reduce labour time, rework, and total abrasive volume consumed, but increases throughput, and helps mitigate safety hazard exposure.”

Since the launch of the Cubitron™ 2 range, the world's-first precision-shaped triangular grain ceramic abrasives, the new 3M™ Cubitron™ 3 has raised the benchmark for cut rate and product life in heavy grinding and cutting applications. The abrasives feature a re-engineered precision-shaped ceramic grain, a proprietary breakthrough in grain shape and molecular bonding technology.

Inflationary pressures also remain steadfast, and businesses are feeling the pinch. Increasing overheads and manufacturing input costs only further impact productivity. 3M™ Cubitron™ 3 technology is helping workshops

overcome these pressures by offering greater performance gains, wear life and cut rate compared to the previous Cubitron™ 2 model, all for a similar price.

There’s also the challenge of finding skilled workers and the higher labour costs involved in recruiting and training new ones, not to mention product safety. 3M™ Cubitron™ 3 makes grinding easier and faster, with reduced vibration that lowers the stress and physical impact on workers. This means your team can keep more productive with the added confidence they can back it up shift after shift.

If you’re running a workshop and looking to boost performance and productivity, choose the Cubitron™ 3 range and take your metalworking to the next level.

Contact your Blackwoods Welding Technical Specialist to request a trial or free sample.

SAM (STOP, ASSESS, MOVE) DRIVESAFE

BLACKWOODS TAKE POLL POSITION AT THE NATIONAL SAFETY AWARDS 2023

Driving road safety initiatives for our mobile workforce. At Blackwoods, we provide safety solutions to industries across the country, which means our service teams are often driving in remote or regional areas on unsealed roads to deliver customer needs.

In 2023, we launched our DriveSAFE initiative to upskill and empower our workers to stay safe on

the road.

WHAT IS THE DRIVESAFE PROGRAM?

DriveSAFE focuses on three key areas: practical driver training, analysing telematics data, and ongoing education sessions.

To upskill our drivers, we teamed up with Performance Driving Australia. They took our drivers through advanced driving techniques, the dynamics of 4WDs on and off-road, and the physics of emergency braking.

Our in-car Telematics system allows us to analyse driver trends and opportunities for improvement. It gives us satellite data on the position of the vehicle, vehicle data from the engine system, as well as highway agency data on the local speed limit. We have utilised the telematics data to host proactive conversations with drivers to promote safe behaviours on the roads. This has resulted in an 86% reduction in driver speeding, and a 27% reduction in infringement notices over two years, and a drop in fuel usage.

Targeted lunch-n-learn sessions with Performance Driving Australia allow our teams to ask questions of the professionals, discuss tips and tricks for enhancing driver safety, and serve to keep safety top-of-mind throughout the year.

AWARD-WINNING INITIATIVE

We’re pleased to announce that our DriveSAFE program was recognised at the 2023 National Safety Awards hosted by the NSCA Foundation and GIO as the winner for Category 4: Best Communication of a Safety Message. This is the second year in a row we have won this award. This recognition affirms our unwavering commitment to maintaining exceptional safety standards and fostering a culture of safety and care within our organisation.

The NSCA Foundation National Safety Awards of Excellence are known for honouring organisations that exhibit outstanding dedication to workplace safety and serve as a benchmark for excellence in the industry.

Amanda Haddad, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Blackwoods, notes, “The success of the Blackwoods DriveSAFE program is a testament to how positive and proactive leadership can result in creating safer driver behaviours on our roads.”

WORTH A SECOND LOOK

WHY WORKPLACE SIGNAGE IS WORTH A SECOND LOOK

Given the diverse range of hazards that exist across various industries and workplaces, the role of communicating through safety signs has never been more important. Whether in the mining, construction, warehousing, transport and logistics, or manufacturing industries etc., a failure to communicate effectively can compromise safety and result in serious injury or death.

Throughout the various workplace environments we encounter, we often observe signs of all different attributes such as shape, material, size, colour, graphics, and message. Combined these attributes serve the critical purpose of ensuring signs are visible, messaging is clear and simple, and employees, visitors, and broader community from all cultural backgrounds are informed and kept safe.

To this end, selecting the correct sign for the correct workplace environment and hazard is imperative to maintain a safe workplace. To achieve a safe workplace, it may require the combined use of standard and customised signs.

To determine an effective and compliant safety signage solution for a workplace environment is not always easy. Consideration must be given to the several standards which exist that govern the design and correct use of safety signs. In addition to warning of a safety hazard and providing important emergency information; the correct sign will define the expected behaviour and/or actions required within that work environment to be safe.

Once the correct safety sign has been determined, the size and position of the sign relative to the hazard cannot be underestimated and is critical to the effectiveness of the sign. As a general statement, safety signs should be positioned in a way that ensures they are highly visible, cannot be obscured,

Hazard signs are divided into two categories - Danger and Warning signs. Regulatory signs provide instructions where a failure to comply may constitute an offence or a breach of safety procedures or work instructions. They are subdivided into three categories (1) Prohibition (2) Mandatory and (3) Limitation signs.

are at eye-level, and within the appropriate proximity of the hazard to ensure they warn of the hazard prior to exposing people to the hazard.

Blackwoods Signage delivers flexible and tailored in-house end-to-end signage and graphic solutions throughout Australia. From workplace signage surveys, product selection identification and recommendations, to graphic solutions and manufacture; no matter where you are in Australia, their expert team is available to assist in a fast and timely manner to keep your employees, visitors, and broader community safe.

SPECIALTY SERVICES

Along with an unbeatable range, Blackwoods technical capability is available to support your business. Our technical specialists have marketleading and industry expertise in Safety, Welding, Fasteners, Electrical, and Inventory management to name but a few. From problem solving, optimising operations, to keeping customers informed about industry developments, our technical specialists are available to assist.

TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS

Blackwoods is Australia’s largest combined supplier of safety products, personal protective equipment and workwear; at Blackwoods we provide an integrated approach to safety in the workplace.

Our services extend from product identification, sourcing, and supply, to the delivery of customer solutions and practical technical expertise to eliminate and mitigate risks.

Our technical safety specialists located throughout Australia are experienced in many industries and workplace environments and welcome the opportunity to work with our customers to achieve their safety goals for keeping people safe.

It’s what we refer to as our ASSESS, INFORM, EQUIP model. At each stage of the process, our specialists collaborate with customers to eliminate and reduce risk through the identification and implementation of controls, products, and training.

WELDING AND ABRASIVES

From a comprehensive range of welding and abrasive products, to the supply of industrial gas and technical expertise; at Blackwoods we provide our customers with a single source partner for all their fabrication needs.

In addition to simplifying processes and driving working capital improvements, our technical welding and abrasives specialists provide knowledge, insights, and tailored customer solutions to optimise customer operations.

Blackwoods utilise cutting-edge technology and qualified professionals to assist you to optimise inventory, reduce cost, drive working capital improvements and improve productivity. From vending machines and mobile warehousing, to stores management and inventory control, Blackwoods Inventory Solutions can be tailored to meet your company’s needs, no matter how big or small.

An Australian manufacturer: Blackwoods Signage delivers flexible and tailored in-house end-to-end signage and graphic solutions throughout Australia. From workplace signage surveys, product selection identification and recommendations, to graphic solutions and manufacture; our expert team is here to assist in a fast and timely manner.

FASTENING AND POWER TOOL SOLUTIONS

Regardless of your industry, partnering with Blackwoods provides the most effective fastening and power tool end-to-end solutions for your business.

From a vast range of market-leading power tools to our broad range of fastening, cutting tools, and anchoring options, our technical expertise, commitment to quality, and responsible sourcing, deliver results and peace of mind.

With access to all leading brands, Blackwoods provides customers with a single source supplier for their industrial electrical needs. From projects, to shutdowns, to business as usual, our technical specialists are available to assist.

OUR INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SERVICING CUSTOMERS

At Blackwoods, our integrated approach extends beyond supplying physical products to our valued customers. We are committed to keeping our customers informed, connecting them with the expertise they need, and providing them with solutions to help build their business, no matter where they are or what they do.

INFORM

Knowledge is key to mitigate risks and ensure that our customers get the right products to meet their specific needs. Whether it’s for a metro, regional, or remote operation, we utilise our extensive network of professionals to provide the right information and technical advice, when needed most. Whether it be new technologies, product innovations, or evolving industry standards, we are committed to helping our customers remain up to date on industry trends and solutions.

CONNECT

With a proud history of investing in people and technology, our goal is to establish a collaborative environment that is built on best practices, strategic partnerships, and innovation. This is achieved through connecting our customers with our extensive pool of industry experts, to our digital platform for product information and editorial resources including Industry Spotlight.

SOLUTION

Delivering fit-for-purpose solutions is our priority. From personal protective equipment (PPE) and tooling to fasteners and cleaning products, our extensive inventory of products ensures our customers are well-prepared for any job. Beyond this, our selection and sourcing expertise gives them access to everything they need to get the job done safely. And where stock is critical and time is limited, our inventory experts can help better manage our customers’ onsite stock requirements to improve efficiencies and productivity, free up capital, and reduce cost.