LOBO in use:

The Mosaic Company: Mining

The Problem

Preventative maintenance can be defined as working on equipment, vehicles or machinery, to keep all in a functioning and safe state and preserving it from failure or decline.

The Mosaic Company, with their corporate office in Plymouth, Minnesota, United States plan and schedule their maintenance activities in a highly processed and professional way.

Corrective maintenance is defined as repairing equipment that no longer works correctly. This is an unscheduled, unplanned task, usually associated with greater hazards, higher risk levels and great inconvenience.

Machines and equipment are often difficult to access for maintenance and cleaning tasks. Traditional scaffolding and aluminium tower systems could be used, but as they cannot be quickly or easily assembled and are not tailored to fit each individual application, they cannot be deployed from one machine to another. They do not meet the industry’s day to day changing requirements.

Outsourced scaffolding labour is expensive and not available 24/7, aluminium frame systems are cumbersome, inflexible and will not adjust to fit into awkward areas. When not in use, they take up a lot of space and cannot be easily transported around the facility. Regular access to elevated areas, for example above conveyors, is awkward and difficult to reach. At Mosaic, safety is a key component of working at height which cannot be compromised.

The Solution

The LOBO System is a re-configurable work platform product that combines the flexibility and strength of traditional scaffolding with the simplicity and mobility of tower systems. This combination provides a versatile access system that has applications right across the Mosaic Company’s mines.

The LOBO System, utilising its unique patented clamp, can be reconfigured and adjusted, without the need for tools, into any shape or size required. This simple system can be assembled by anyone, as the components are modular. LOBO’s electroplated steel legs and components can be flat packed when not in use and transported easily, for storage or utilisation elsewhere.

Mosaics own in-house maintenance crews can assemble the LOBO System quickly, easily and safely around, under or above machinery or conveyors. To ensure safety, handrails can be fitted in seconds, at any point in the system, and at any stage of the assembly process. Mosaic’s staff should never be exposed to the risk of a fall.

This means out-sourced scaffolding labour costs can be reduced without comprising safety. Areas, previously considered difficult to get to, can now be accessed with ease for maintenance and cleaning purposes. As LOBO is available 24/7 it puts Mosaic in control of what and when they schedule maintenance tasks and is immediately available for those un-scheduled emergencies.

The Benefits

LOBO is scalable, adaptable and adjustable to meet ongoing and changing requirements. Simply add more components or alter your existing configuration to satisfy the demands of the next task. Mosaic’s investment is protected as the LOBO System will meet all access needs safely. Toe boards and a lifting beam can also be added. It is a rigid and stable product, which meets or exceeds current safety regulations.

Cost:

LOBO’s electroplated steel structure ensures many years of product life and a system that will not shake or rattle. The modular approach means components fully integrate and can be hand carried.
Fully constructed systems can also be made mobile by the addition of wheels.

Mosaic’s experience shows that deploying the LOBO System reduces their costs associated with hiring scaffolding and constructing bespoke fixed access systems. By reducing their reliance on out-sourced scaffolding and engineering companies, cost savings have been achieved – easily within a 12-month period.

With this quantifiable reduction in costs comes the added savings associated with reduced down-time and greater productivity from their maintenance department.