Buhlenathi Solutions
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Engineering case study

Scraper winch failures resolved and Section 54 instruction uplifted

Repeat scraper winch failures were stopping production and exposing crews to rope and entanglement risk. We ran an independent investigation and closed the instruction out.

Commodity
Platinum & Gold
Location
North West, South Africa
Duration
6 weeks

The challenge

Recurring scraper winch failures caused unplanned production stoppages and a regulator instruction. Rope condition management was inconsistent and operator practice varied between shifts.

Our approach

  1. 01

    Evidence gathering

    Site inspection, component recovery, maintenance record review and structured operator interviews.

  2. 02

    Root cause analysis

    Fishbone diagnostics separated design, maintenance, competency and supervision contributors.

  3. 03

    Engineering correction

    Rope discard criteria, inspection standards and guarding upgrades specified and installed.

  4. 04

    Regulator engagement

    Evidence pack and corrective action plan presented to the DMPR for upliftment.

Outcomes

  • Section 54 instruction uplifted on first submission
  • Rope discard criteria adopted as a site standard
  • Operator and artisan retraining completed and verified
  • No recurrence of the failure mode since close-out

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Let's solve the engineering problem in front of you.

Whether it's a regulator instruction, a failing asset or a capital project, we start with an honest engineering assessment.

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