Salmat reaches ahead with Armstrong lever

Salmat employees’ invention, the Armstrong lever earns the company a Work Safety Award for the best solution to an identified workplace safety and health issue.

Salmat employee, Graeme Armstrong, (pictured in action) developed a device called the Armstrong lever to assist in the assembly of Australia Post Unit Loaders used to transport mail. The potential to significantly reduce manual handling injuries at Salmat was quickly identified and the device is being rolled out across the company’s operations.

“I would like to congratulate Graeme on his initiative in developing this fantastic device. We try to encourage a culture of innovation and excellence at Salmat and we are proud of Graeme and what he has achieved,” said Grant Harrod, Salmat’s chief executive officer.

Salmat now goes in the running to win a national Safe Work Australia Award which will be announced in April 2011.

“Our management team threw their full support behind Graeme after he demonstrated the ‘Armstrong Lever’ to us. I have no doubt that the use of this device across the company will lead to a reduction in injuries and a better place to work,” Harrod said.

“Salmat is strongly committed to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). Through an increase in training and talking about OHS issues, our staff are more innovative and proactive in raising issues and incidents. We believe that leadership, communication and participation lead to a strong OHS culture.”