The McKenna Hammerless Drain Valve from Alcoa World Industrial alumina Australia has received the Highly Commended Award from Western Australia’s Chamber of Minerals & Energy (CME) Occupational Safety and Health Innovations Awards.

Based on the Pneutorque PTM-52 pneumatic torque wrench from Norbar Torque Tools Ltd, the hammerless drain valve makes opening refinery drain cocks easier and safer.

Dr David Smith, CME President, presented the Award to Alcoa’s Rob McKenna for his Hammerless Valve. Rob McKenna said: “The torque professional gun turns a couple of professional gears that turn a larger gear that operates the valve, so in effect, a simple push of the gun’s trigger replaces the need for repetitive hammering to get these valves to open and close.”

The PTM-52 is ideal for this application. Very low vibration levels of less than 1.5m/s² mean that operators can use these tools for extended periods with negligible risk of hand-arm related health issues. Similarly, sound levels of under 85dB(A) under load make it comfortable and safe to use.

The Norbar PTM-52 weighs just 4.1kg, and is very compact. The tool is thus very easy to move around site from valve to valve. Norbar Torque Tools has demonstrated once again that it is at the forefront of safe working with its state-of-the-art pneumatic range of tools.