The ANZex approval is required for the underground coal mines in the state and is also valid for the rest of Australia.

“The cordless all-in-one cap lamp, Polaris, has been a huge hit in all our global markets and we are thrilled to have the specific approval that Queensland requires for coal mines,” NLT president Heidi Levitt said.

“This gives NLT a complete cap lamp offering which includes two-way text messaging in the Northern Light Wi-Fi Messenger and now a lightweight cordless cap lamp, the Polaris.”

NLT Australia received encouraging feedback to the Polaris from trials at several Australian mines more than six months ago.

The cap lamp is cordless – an obvious advantage – and Polaris was also praised for the intensity of the light, the product’s light weight, the duration of the battery life and its quick charging time.

There are a variety of accessories for the Polaris, including a flexible arm attachment with a magnet on one end.

With the lamp connected to one end of the arm, the magnet at the other end can be securely fitted to any suitable ferrous surface to help focus light on a particular area.

“If you are working on the engine in the vehicle you can stick it on the side of the engine and aim it down where you want to be,” NLT Australia managing director Tim Haight told ILN earlier this year.

“This gives you the ability to shine it right on what you are working on and work away hands free.”

He said some maintenance workers had previously resorted to holding a flashlight in their teeth when using a screwdriver or other tools.

Additionally, a handle attachment allows the all-in-one product to be converted into a standard torch.

“It's big in the European market; they like these all-in-ones and they have been demanding them,” Haight said.