ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS

Representatives of Engineers Without Borders visit CMPA offices, reports FRANK SANTORO of Orica Quarry Services Victoria.

ON the 29th July 2010 three representatives of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), Phil Clark, Madeleine Jenkins and Kristen Wood visited the CMPA offices in Kilmore. This visit was to assist EWB representatives develop a basic understanding of how a typical quarry operates in Australia.

EWB has planned to send two representatives to India to work with an organisation know as Santulan, as part of a program to improve the living and working standards of stone/quarry workers and their families around the town of Pune. One engineer will work in the area of Occupational Health and Safety and the second engineer in the area of Community Water Supply.

Engineers Without Borders Australia works in partnership with developing communities both within Australia and overseas, assisting them to gain access to the knowledge, resources and appropriate technologies they need to improve their livelihoods.

EWB focus on developing the capacity of the local technical sector through small scale, grassroots engineering programs to ensure that innovative, appropriate and sustainable solutions to issues that impede development are locally generated and driven.

EWB believe it is essential to work in partnership with local communities and complimentary development organizations, to achieve environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and economically viable solutions.

Some common issues facing the communities EWB work with include access to drinking water, sanitation, energy, basic infrastructure, waste systems, Information Communication Technology and engineering education.

The CMPA supplied manuals, systems, standards and other literature at no cost and also provided an open forum answering questions relating to quarry operations.

Following the CMPA visit, EWBs next appointment was a site tour of Northern Quarries – Epping. Northern Quarries representative escorted the visitors around site and explained in detail each facet of quarrying at Epping.

All EWB visitors had a thoroughly enjoyable day and thanked the CMPA and Northern Quarries for all their support and assistance in their endeavors.

More information about Engineers Without Borders is on their website www.ewb.org.au

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