pLEV

Figure 1:Without pLEV (left) and with pLEV (right)

50% of all Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) exceedances in surface coal mines are directly related to the use of compressed air for blow out of enclosures and equipment during maintenance activities. (DNRME 2018).

Traditionally, blow out cleaning of equipment in the mining industry generates clouds of dust that pose a risk to both the operational staff and anyone else downwind. To mitigate this risk Synergetics developed the pLEV system.

What is pLEV?

pLEV is a fail-safe dust containment, extraction, filtration, monitoring and recording system that protects the health and safety of operators and bystanders.  pLEV transforms an ad-hoc and unsafe cleaning activity into a controlled fail-safe process that reduces equipment downtime and maintenance costs.

Figure 2: The pLEV extraction and dust capture unit

Why pLEV?

• Prevents operators and bystanders being exposed to the dust generated during cleaning
• Real time monitoring, alarms and control ensure a safe and effective cleaning process
• Captures generated dust so that it can be safely disposed
• Multi-stage filtration with a HEPA as the final filter
• No need for time consuming, poor visibility, uncomfortable and ineffective PPE
• pLEV is quick to setup and use, increasing equipment availability and productivity
• Other trades can work alongside pLEV, reducing maintenance labour costs and down-time
• Professionally engineered design shuts down automatically and self-diagnoses problems
• Rugged construction purpose designed for mine sites
• Quiet operation, no need for hearing protection
• pLEV can be adapted to most compressed air cleaning tasks
• Australian designed and manufactured

Figure 2: pLEV was named as a finalist at the Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards 2024 in the “Best WHS technology innovation” category.

What can pLEV be used for?

• Truck cabinets
• Electrical motors
• Equipment cabinets
• Electrical switchboards
• Dragline MG sets
• Operator cabins

Our pLEV service

Every pLEV application is unique. Synergetics provides preliminary assessment and oversight of all elements of the cleaning process to ensure operator and bystander safety, effective operation, optimised maintenance and operator training. Containment covers, lance, hoses, fittings, spares, accessories and consumables are all included. Safe work instructions (SWIs) and training are tailored to each application. Exposure air quality, cleaning effectiveness and equipment performance are measured and logged continuously, with analysis and monthly reports of every clean.

For more information on pLEV see our dedicated product site.