New developments at Stormy
Service history of PFDs can now be tracked onlineStormy Lifejackets, Australia’s oldest and largest supplier of commercial and recreational personal floatation devices, says it has introduced new safety measures to safeguard their devices.
A detailed computer database system has been developed over the past 16 months to record the purchase and service history of every PFD garment the company has supplied to commercial and recreational operators over the past 10 years.
Stormy Lifejackets was established in Hobart 21 years ago by company principal Helen Moore following the near death of a family friend on the west coast of Tasmania.
The PFDs come in either manual or automatic inflatable collar for warm climates, or a jacket designed to keep out the cold and wet. When activated, a CO2 cylinder inflates a bladder to keep a person afloat in the water.
Commercial owners must have their CO2 inflatable PFDs serviced every 12 months and recreational users are recommended to have theirs checked every two years.
"I don’t know of any other PFD manufacture who is providing this necessary and important information for their clients to ensure the safety of their work force. It is also important for recreational skippers make sure their lifejackets are in-date for the safety of themselves and their passengers," said Stormy Lifejackets Managing Director Helen Moore.
"We are always working on our R&D program to improve our product and service, and the progression into a global database network of Stormy PFDs assists our client base to protect the welfare of their workers. Plus our recreational users will be reminded that their inflatable jackets or collars may require attention."
Government agencies and company staff dealing with OH&S requirements can now go online and check their Stormy products and the same applies to recreational users.
New PFDs sold will have their manufacturing and ownership details recorded on the database and owners are able to print out a current in-service certificate to present to authorities on request. People who have purchased a Stormy PFD over the past 10 years can also go on the company’s website to register their product details and date of last service.
Email messages will then be sent to owners notifying them of their pending service requirements.
Another recent Stormy development is the introduction of the Swedish-designed Hammar hydrostatic valve in some PFDs which eliminates accidental inflation of water-activated lifejacket caused by sea spray, rain or humidity.
The automatic inflator will not activate until submerged 10 centimetres under water and the CO2 gas cylinder is located inside the lifejacket bladder to guard against corrosion.
For more information go to: www.stormylifejackets.com.au
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