COMPANY INSIGHT

Striving for Perfection in Mining Safety

Mistakes are not permissible when mining safety is concerned, as the lives of workers and the reputations of companies who hire them are sacrosanct. Starting with ISO 9001 Certification, Zokal set out to create systems that would leave no room for error.

Zokal founder and CEO, Jim Prout has no tolerance for sloppy systems. As chief chemist for Monsanto owned Australian Fluorine Chemicals in 1976, he was confronted with workplace safety issues and decided to create what were possibly the first real safety procedures in the industry.

When he started Zokal, Jim applied the same stringent systems and procedures to all their activities. By 2004, Zokal achieved Quality Assurance Accreditation and was registered for QA ISO 9001:2000, OH&S 18001- AS/NZ 4801 and Environmental 14001 with DAS (Direct Assessment Services) Registrars.

When Zokal began servicing CABA equipment 15 years ago, Jim took the same approach. Zokal not only cleaned and refurbished equipment but also decontaminated it from fungi and mould, even though little was known about the devastating effects of fungi poisoning at that time. CABA suits were then vacuum sealed, to prevent contamination and allow mine workers to easily spot leaking equipment.

Zokal has cleaned, serviced and decontaminated over 20,000 suits without a single instance of equipment failure. Each individual piece of equipment is also tracked from the time it leaves the mine until it is returned, ensuring delivery on time, or ahead of schedule.

More recently, Zokal has applied these same stringent procedures to five & ten yearly refurbishments of quickfill (refill) stations for CABA recharging.

Zokal’s entire management team are certified in Quality Management Systems and Internal Auditing. They regularly audit and assess the policies and procedures for all of our companies so you can be confident that Zokal operates efficiently, delivering products and services on time every time.

More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia.Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.

More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia.

Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.

“ ZOKAL SAFETY SERVICES have been providing training programs to our mine site for the past few years, they include senior first aid and working at heights.

This company is also involved in the service of our escape equipment, servicing all of our underground compressed air breathing apparatus (CABA suits).

I have found this provider, all of its training and service staff to be professional and of the highest integrity in the execution of their duties, their standard in the end product they provide is equal to none.”

“Professional and of the highest integrity”

Michael Prior
Emergency Services Officer, Xtrata Coal

AusProof is celebrating 25 years of business in Australia in 2019.

“We have used Zokal Safety services to complete all the major services on our CABA suits used underground as part of our Escape system. This has included -

Function testing on all breathing apparatus
Twelve monthly, five and six yearly servicing including reducers
Hydrostatic testing and recharging of all high pressure cylinders
Integrity testing of breathing airlines
Vacuum sealing of CABA suits

During this time Zokal provided a thoroughly professional service that maintained our compliance of this delicate equipment. They also assisted and maintained all the records required to a high standard. Zokal were available on call and always met our companies needs and requests when required. Having this level of service made my job easier knowing our equipment was maintained and recorded to a high level. I would have no hesitation in recommending Zokal to provide professional work in a professional manner.”

“Zokal provided a thoroughly professional service”

Greg Dobbins
Emergency Services Officer,
Dendrobium Coal Pty Ltd

AusProof is celebrating 25 years of business in Australia in 2019.

“I have worked with Zokal Safety services for the past 15 years with services and maintenance on our CABA emergency escape apparatus.

Zokal assisted us with many issues after the introduction of the CABA Emergency escape system.Cryovacing the CABA suits to ensure they are not recontaminated.

Working with AS to extend the Hydro testing of the G size cylinder from 6 years to 10 years

The improvement in the escape system includes:-

They provide services such as:-

Yearly servicing of the CABA suits with test certificates for all the CABA suits.
Hydro testing of the cylinders
Updating the service records
Compressor servicing
Air quality testing

Zokal has given me a level of confidence to be sure that in an emergency I know the workers underground will be able to escape from any emergency they face.

Thanks to Jim and his team for the professionalism and I am looking forward to working with them when our Refill Stations are due for their ten-year service.”

“Great and Reliable Service”

John Cummings
Services Coordinator, Centennial Coal

AusProof is celebrating 25 years of business in Australia in 2019.

“Once again your workforce and team have helped us maintain our standards. Time is a very important factor within our business and we can see you value this.

Thanks and appreciation goes to you and your team Jim.

It does make a difference!”

“It does make a difference!”

Allan Shoesmith
Outbye Services / Relief Undermanager, Centennial Coal

AusProof is celebrating 25 years of business in Australia in 2019.