A new lumbar support seating system designed for underground mine employees operating loaders and haul trucks has caused in decreased injuries and fatigue.

Perth-based Modern Motor Trimmers (MMT), which focuses in suspension seats and seating products for the mining market, has spent over five years enhancing the pneumatically-operated twin air lumbar support.

The two-stage lumbar system is incorporated into the backrest of an ISRI premium-quality T-backed seat. It uses the air supply from the seat's incorporated air compressor or the machine's air supply to completely inflate, to support the operator's lumbar region and creating a buffer towards shock and jarring.

MMT is setting up the lumbar system to the premium quality ISRI 150kg-rated seating range, nowadays the only product on the market to have a flexible back rest which can be angled for higher operator comfort and assistance.

Garry Spouge, Managing Director who founded MMT in 1992, said the company had improved and started to give the latest seating product in ISRI seats in the last twelve months, as requirement for safer and more relaxing seating technology in the underground mining sector had grown.

"Security is the number one priority for all mining businesses around The great outback, and that definitely consists of staff protection and wellbeing, which was the starting issue for us in terms of building up this lumbar support system," Mr Spouge said.

"Sore and unstable backs are the most typical factors for lost time incidents in the company, and our lower back support focuses on the lumbar region, preventing back injuries and ultimately on-the-job exhaustion."

Mr Spouge stated that MMT had previously studied and developed a similar

T backrest for underground mining products, but the prototype didn't have an adjustable lumbar support.

"We designed the first prototype in the mid 1990's, but the patented system we're now using is fitted to an ISRI seat which has integrated adjustable suspension dampening to slow the seat suspension down, whereas a seat isolator lessens the forward and back jarring," he said.

"This seat was also selected as it's the only one in production to our skills that reclines. Other producers have tested to start the 'T' back rests, but their seats are non-reclining which causes an issue when operators need to adjust it for convenience

"We're really grateful with our current model, and already the feedback we've gained has been incredibly optimistic, and specifically, that it's eliminating accidents and stress."

Mr Spouge claims that as well as growing operator ease and security, the lumbar support additionally assists to improve seat life by minimizing wear and tear and motivating correct pose.

"Hence, the advantages are extensive, either for the operator and also the supervisor," he added.

MMT's core market niche is the supply, installation and maintenance of premium suspension seats and also seating products to the WA mining, building, manufacturing, engineering and transport sectors.

The business is Western Australia's only accredited firm and repairer for German manufacturer ISRI, which is widely recognized as the manufacturer of the world's most highly developed driver and passenger seating products.