Electricity + Control December 2015

HAZARDOUS AREAS + SAFETY

• Explosives are commonly used in mining applications. • Storage and safe handling of explosives can be im- proved by using measurement and monitoring systems. • Electronic systems have now been designed to incor- porate various technologies to ensure optimal safety.

References [1] Othmer K. 2006. Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology. 4th Ed, Wiley-Interscience. [2] Caldwell J. Blasting: State of the art review. Infomine, www. infomine.com (August 2006). [3] Begg AH. 2008. Hazards in emulsion explosives manufacture and handling. SAFEX Topical Papers Series. [4] Cousins T. 2010. Safety monitoring systems for bulk explosives. Paper presented at the 2nd Safety Control Systems Conference, IDC Technologies. [5] Sasol Nitro. Bulk expand for ANFO and heavy ANFO systems data sheet. www.sasol.com (September 2013). [6] Sasol Nitro. Matrix for gassed emulsion Matrix and AN – Emex (heavy ANFO blends) Data Sheet, www.sasol.com (September 2013). [7] Mahadevan EG. 2013. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. [8] Sasol Nitro. AN Emex heavy anfo blends data sheet, www.sasol. com (September 2013).

take note

Terry Cousins is an electrical engineer with over 35 years’ experience in heavy industrial, power distribution, mining and IT. He is the cofounder of TLC Engineering Solu- tions. Terry is an active conference and web presenter and has authored numerous papers on power quality, energy measurement, instrumentation, communication

and equipment design. Terry has a BSc Electrical Engineering degree from University of the Witwatersrand as well as a BComm and MBL degrees from the University of South Africa. Terry is a fellow of the SAIEE, member of the IEEE and SAEE and an accredited Green Building professional. Terry is an Academic Board member of the Engineering Institute of Technology, Perth, Australia. Enquiries: Tel. 011 463 3860 or e-mail terry@tlc.co.za

HAZARDOUS AREAS + SAFETY

ROUND UP

Improving fire and emergency safety in South Africa

In addition to successfully launching two new lifesaving safety solutions at the 2015 SouthAfrican Emergency Services Institute (SAESI) expo in early November, MSA Africa was honoured with a certificate of recognition for its support and contribu- tion towards the improvement of fire and emergency safety in South Africa. Among the two successful product launches were – the first-of-its-kind alphaBELT, which is the only rescue loop approved for self-rescue with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); and the G1 SCBA – MSA’s first top- of-the-line SCBA to meet and exceed all high-level international quality and safety standards, such as NFPA (North America) and EN (Europe). alphaBELT: In addition to restraining and positioning, it creates the rapid formation of a safe rescue seat for self-rappelling, and can be easily integrated into an SCBA to

and smoke-piercing ‘buddy lights’ provide visible indicators of critical air supply data from any angle. Enquiries: Suraksha Mohun.Tel. 011 610 2719 or email suraksha.mohun@msasafety.com

dramatically reduce the risk of suffocation. The alphaBELT features a secure class B rescue seat which can be detached for the belt to be used separately as an anchor point or a rescue loop in the event of an emer- gency. It is resistant to heat, and is durable and smooth to ensure user comfort. The adjustable lanyard is easily demountable, and features a tri lock carabiner to increase safety levels. G1 SCBA: Providing more functionality than ever before, the G1 Control Module, which is the ‘brain’ of the system, has both dual analogue and colour digital LCD dis- plays, making certain that important status indicators are available at all times.The G1 SCBA also boasts new features, including the elimination of all electronic components from the face piece. Instead, a ‘Central Power’ feature powers the entire unit froma single battery compartment, while darkness

MSA Africa's respiratory and fire helmets product manager, Suraksha Mohun, demonstrates lifesaving solutions at the recent SAESI Expo.

December ‘15 Electricity+Control

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