At Zinfra, what we do matters. That’s why our teams take great pride in being the safest and most effective field force contractors in the electricity and gas infrastructure market. Our people live our vision of becoming your leading and trusted delivery partner in energy through always looking to identify and champion improved ways of working.
The Zinfra’s Innovation Award Scheme is designed to recognise and celebrate our people who have demonstrated innovative thinking across our business in safety, service delivery, products and business process improvements.
We are proud to announce the 2024 June award winners and runner-up from our field submissions.
Luc Carver, Team Leader and Paul McIntosh, Works Practises Specialist
Innovation: Visual Warning System
When providing No Go Zone services for our client Jemena, visual warning devices (VDW) are installed to keep the community safe and avoid accidental contact with power lines.
Previously Zinfra scheduled the installation of ‘tiger tails’, a costly and time-consuming service, that would put teams under pressure. Luc and Paul proposed a field technical change with the introduction of a new type of VWD, Rotamarkers, making the delivery of the service safer, more efficient and cost effective.
“The implementation of these devices has enhanced the No Go Zone Team’s ability to respond to Jemena customer’s needs in a timely and cost-effective manner,” says Luc Carver.
“Rotamarkers provide an efficient deployment solution that enhances the Jemena network safety focus with their striking appearance, all while assuring continued compliance with regularity requirements,” says Paul McIntosh.
The procurement and the deployment of the VWD was a team effort between Luc and Paul who both contributed their skills and time to ensure the best product was purchased and the roll-out was implemented safely to field teams.
The innovation has reduced the time and cost of installation and the demand on HV Electrical Network Operators, Line Crews and NGZ teams, while also making the completion of this service safer.
Congratulations Luc and Paul for working together to make Zinfra a better place to work and safer for our community and customers.
Jason Heathwood, Pipeline Operator
Innovation: Filter Element Removal Tool
While an apprentice, Jason and his mentor brainstormed safer ways to remove filter elements from compression stations, landing on the idea of specially designed tongs.
Without the tongs, pipeline operators had to navigate potential safety risks including, burning their hands from the heat of the filters, even when wearing gloves, and possible back injuries due to bending over and pulling the filter cartridge out by hand.
“With the Element Filter Removal Tool, I don’t have to touch the filters which can be hot, and I don’t have to reach into the vessel to pull them out. I’m also not breathing any vapors or gas as leaning over the vessel is eliminated, making the whole task safer”, says Jason.
Congratulations Jason on the fabrication of this new tool, it is a great example of how a supportive mentor relationship leads to new ideas.
The Zinfra Innovation Award Scheme is open all year round. Following a selection process by a panel, winners and runners-up for both office and field innovations are announced in June and December.
We look forward to profiling our December award recipients at the end of 2024.
