Topdrill is a privately owned, independent drilling company based in Kalgoorlie, Australia. Their field teams operate in extreme environments that can be very dangerous if the risks are not properly managed.
Team leaders at Topdrill must use critical risk management to identify and control potential risks, with the overall goal of prevent fatalities.
Topdrill is a privately owned, independent drilling company. We understand the extreme environments our field teams operate in can be very dangerous if the risks are not properly managed. Critical risk management is a step change in how we identify and control critical risks. It has one purpose, to help eliminate fatalities. Exposure to thermal extremes has been identified as a critical risk in our business. In the drilling industry and the unforgiving summer of Western Australia, the two biggest factors are heat and dehydration. Heat related illnesses have the real potential to kill. Historically we have used urine testing for hydration which, given the environments in which we work, was less than ideal. Collecting samples for monitoring was not always possible to do whilst maintaining an individual’s privacy. If people can’t perform the test the control measure is nowhere near effective and the potential for a serious heat related incident to occur increases exponentially.
As a company wanting to attract women to the industry, we needed to look at options available to ensure processes are and can be followed. The decision to use the MX3 in place of the standard refractometer was a direct result of our commitment to safety. Most importantly it is a simple piece of equipment to use. This is a huge plus as pushback and reluctance to use it has been non-existent. It can be used by males and females alike without the privacy concerns of attempting to collect a urine sample on a drill pad. The number that it generates is a true representation of the individuals state of hydration. Instant results to both the individual and the dashboard equips us to understand and adjust this critical factor.
Heat-related illnesses have the real potential to kill.
Historically, Topdrill used urine testing to track hydration, which, given the environments in which they work, was less than ideal. Collecting samples for monitoring was not always possible to do whilst maintaining an individual’s privacy. If employees can’t perform the test, the control measure is nowhere near effective, and the potential for a serious heat-related incident to occur increases exponentially. Additionally, as a company wanting to attract women to the industry, Topdrill needed to look at options to ensure processes are and can be followed.
Using MX3 reflects the company’s commitment to employee safety
Topdrill decided to use the MX3 in place of the standard refractometer to reflect its commitment to the safety, privacy and comfort of all employees. Importantly, MX3 is a simple piece of equipment to use. This is a huge plus, as pushback and reluctance to use it since its adoption has been non-existent.
MX3 can be used by males and females alike without the privacy concerns of attempting to collect a urine sample on a drill pad. The number that it generates is a true representation of an individual’s state of hydration. Instant results to both the individual and the dashboard equips managers to understand and adjust this critical factor.
“We, as a company, can act immediately to prevent what could start out as an offsider just needing a rest and a drink of water into a potentially fatal situation or worse,” reports Topdrill.
People are Topdrill’s most important assets.
“Having a control in place that allows for instant, actionable management of individuals hydration levels is a game changer,” the company reports.
Ready to Order?
If your company is ready to start testing and tracking hydration for employees, MX3 Diagnostics can help you find the right equipment and products.
First, determine how you’ll use the MX3 PRO. Are you planning to test employees before and after work, so you can see how their hydration levels are affected on the worksite? Or will you be testing employees mid-day only on heat-sensitive projects? Hydration testing can ensure safety of employees in a variety of settings, and tracking hydration levels can help managers spot and prevent dehydration risks. Determine your schedule and plans for employee hydration testing, and then you can determine the products you’ll use.
To start, you’ll need at least one MX3 PRO Hydration Testing System (HTS). One PRO can test multiple employees, but you’ll want to have at least one available for every site or site manager. The HTS can be ordered as a single, or in packs of 3 or 5. Each HTS comes with a test strip dispenser, charging cables and a travel case. Boxes of test strips are included as well, but you’ll need to order more in the future.
Test strips are used once and discarded, so plan to have a test strip for each person and each measurement. So if you’re measuring an employee before and after work, you’ll need two test strips each day times the number of employees you’re testing. Test strips are sold in packs of 40, available in singles, 5 pack bundles, and 50 pack bundles.
Still not sure what to order? Our team can help you determine the right product order for your company size and needs. Contact us today at support@mx3diagnostics.com.
