10
CONTRACTING » Drain Surgeons
Business North / April 2013
HD laser technology the latest tool Karen Phelps Drain Surgeons is one of the few companies in the world to offer HD laser profiling. The service enables the company to profile large pipes for customers such as councils and utility companies. The laser profiler is a stand-alone tool for use with the company’s CCTV survey systems and collects survey data and creates pipeline reports containing the measurement of faults and other features inside the pipeline. The key benefit is that instead of a staff member having to walk through the pipe to carry out an assessment the laser profiler can simply be controlled by computer and complete continuous inspections up to three kilometres. The equipment can take measurements such as pipe size, laterals and water levels as well as give an automatic analysis of pipe ovality and capacity up to 30 times per second. The resulting images are analysed using innovative machine vision software. “This system allows our customers to efficiently programme their maintenance and rehabilitation. It is accurate, safe and easy to use as well as offering cost benefits,” says Drain Surgeons director Bill Whitelegg. Drain Surgeons was started in 1977 in Auckland and is today operated by Whitelegg, Marc Ciochetto and Peter Knight. The company employs 60 staff in Auckland and has established a dedicated depot in Christchurch with 50 staff to provide its expertise in the postearthquake cleanup. Drain Surgeons completes both domestic and industrial work and services include drain unblocking, drain laying and repairs, drain cleaning and hydrojetting, defective drainage notices, root cutting, vacuum loading, pipe relining and fault location. It does both small and large jobs from the unblocking of a toilet to repairs to large public sewer and stormwater networks. “The Drain Surgeons team is made up of some of the most experienced operators in the drainage industry, using some of the latest equipment and technology available in the marketplace,” says Whitelegg. He says the company places a firm emphasis on health and safety. A Drain Surgeons supervisor was
Drain Surgeons completes domestic and industrial work - including drain unblocking, drain laying and repairs, and drain cleaning and hydrojetting. recently awarded the first ever commendation issued by Auckland City Council after the company’s work during a CCTV contract with Auckland City council, which involved a complicated set up procedure involving tidal man-holes. “During the course of the job a Health and Safety audit was undertaken by Auckland City Council, who reviewed all our set up and procedures. Our site safety supervisor, Todd Symes and Drain Surgeons were commended for maintaining a high standard of safety throughout the duration of the job,” says Whitelegg. Due to the company’s unique expertise Drain Surgeons has also worked in Suva recently for the Fijian Government. Whitelegg says that the contract was won on the company’s industry experience and
capability to deliver on time and to specification. Drain Surgeons supplied advanced hi tech CCTV equipment and hydro blasting units, built to the Fiji Government’s specifications. Drain Surgeons also supplied its own operators to train and implement long term training programmes. Drain Surgeons has just opened a new sister company called Underground Vision. The new company will be dedicated to completing work for fresh water networks and will complement the services currently offered by Drain Surgeons, which will continue to focus on sewerage and stormwater systems. Whitelegg says it made sense to utilize the company’s extensive expertise in drains in other areas.
Drain Surgeons 09 415 0298 office@drainsurgeons.co.nz www.drainsurgeons.co.nz
Occupational Health and Safety training NZQA Accredited Private Training Establishment » www.safetynaction.co.nz Our Courses: » Accident Investigation » Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) » Chemical Handling and HSNO » Confined Space » Dangerous Goods Licensing
Freephone: 0800 222 388
» Electrical Safety at Work » Elevated Work Platform (EWP) » Fire Courses » Forklift Licence » Hazard ID and OSH
» Health & Safety Representative » Hearing Conservation » Height Safety Courses » Manual Handling and OOS (GPI) » Permit to Work Courses
Phone: 09 414 5944 Fax: 09 414 6299 Email: admin@safetynaction.co.nz Training Centre Address: 7B Ride Way, Albany, Auckland PO Box 35-936, Browns Bay, Auckland