Standards Australia recently acknowledged Earthmoving Equipment Committee, ME-063, with the Outstanding Committee Award for 2022.

CMEIG CEO, David Birrell, commented that two years ago industry considered that more could be done to expedite the development and international alignment of Australian earthmoving equipment standards to keep pace with emerging developments in technology and safety. A concerted effort was undertaken to resource Standards Australia’s ME-063 committee supported by CMEIG’s Engineering Working Group and CMEIG member Jeff Samuels (QMW).

ME-063 subsequently initiated a three-pronged strategy of direct text adopting international standards and modify-adopting international standards where appropriate for Australia, whilst also developing and maintaining a number of unique Australian Standards.

ME-063 set a Standards Australia record in 2022 for the greatest number of standards published in a 12-month period (120), with more in the pipeline for 2022 and 2023.

This effectively resets the Australian standards landscape for earthmoving equipment.

The committee’s efforts have transformed a portfolio of 60 aged standards with no prior active projects, into a portfolio of 120 standards with six active projects. The successes are being reflected by an expanding ME-063 membership from across critical Australian construction and mining sectors, representing further potential to carry the momentum.

ME-063’s efforts have recently been recognised by a number of Australian regulators for the health and safety benefits it represents for the Australian construction and mining industry.

Two of the key published committee projects, AS 5327:2022 and AS3450:2021, are the first globally published international/national standards covering two key safety focus areas on earthmoving equipment (powered access systems, and in-service brake testing), and are expected to lead to the future development of aligned ISO TC 127 standards.

“With a lot of the committee’s efforts handled virtually over the last two years, ME-063 has demonstrated a successful adaptation to a post COVID era of standards collaboration.

I’d like to recognise and thank the committee members and their nominating organisations for enabling ME-063’s success,” said Adrian O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer at Standards Australia.

Image Caption: CMEIG ME-063 representatives Bart Genson (Komatsu), Erwin Surjadi (Hitachi) Osama Ali (ME-63 Chair; Caterpillar) David Birrell (CMEIG CEO) and Craig Williams (Clark Equipment)