Emergency Egress Escapeways

Wilshaw escapeways are a cost effective and practical solution for mining operations to ensure employee safety and emergency egress are always at the forefront of any underground operation.

Wilshaw has pioneered the way for underground mining operations to safely and cost effectively install escapeways. The unique designs take into consideration operational requirements and can be modified to suit individual site conditions. We have vast experience designing and manufacturing escapeways, with over 25 years supplying in excess of 26,000m to the Australian and international mining industry.

Wilshaw escapeways are special structures and all Wilshaw designs comply with the relevant Codes for loading. Strength wise, the escapeways are designed to AS 3990 – 1993, Mechanical Equipment – Steelwork. The escapeways comply with MSIR 1995 10.26 (Western Australia) and generally conform to AS1657-1992 with modifications to suit an underground environment and special requirements associated with emergency egress situations.

Benefits

Versatility

Most versatile designed escapeways available on the market. Multiple variations available which can be custom designed to suit an individual mines requirements from a basic 2 Stringer model to a complex 4 Pipe escapeway.

Size

Smallest escapeway can be installed into a 760mm circular hole reducing vertical development costs.

Transportation

Cost effective and flat packed delivery ‘IKEA’ style to reduce the transportation costs to remote mining operation in Australia and around the globe unlike other enclosed steel or plastic escapeways. This also eliminates the hazard of transporting large tubular sections of escapeway in the mine to the egress location.

Safety

For larger diameter openings where a Wilshaw escapeway is installed a full top cover which allows for flow through ventilation yet prevents personnel from falling into the open hole can be designed, certified and supplied with the escapeway.

Maintenance

The galvanised steel mesh design allows for regular, diligent inspection, scaling and maintenance of the escapeway in accordance with the Department of Minerals and Energy (WA) safety Bulletin No. 22. Fully enclosed tubular steel or plastic escapeways remove the ability to monitor ground condition in the escapeway rise.

Uniqueness

Unlike other escapeways on the market which only provide a single line egress, Wilshaw have designed a 3 Stringer model which allows employees to easily pass each other on the escapeway at regular intervals. This eliminates the potential entrapment scenario if an employee was to collapse on a rest platform thus blocking access for anyone below.

Usability

No requirement for static fall arrest equipment on the 3 Stringer models due to the rest platform design. This reduces the requirement for employees to be supplied with fall arrest harnesses and trained in their use. In an emergency situation every second counts. It also removes the requirement to have a stored quantity of fall arrest equipment at the bottom of every ladder which also require regular inspection to ensure safety integrity.

Quality

All escapeway components are hot dipped galvanised to AS/NZS4680 inside and outside, which provides superior corrosion resistance to paint on the exterior surfaces only.

Fire Resistance

Unlike other enclosed plastic escapeways on the market Wilshaw ladders are non-flammable and will not fill your mine with toxic gases in the event of an emergency if the fire was to spread to the escapeway.

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