Electricity + Control

31 / 44

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
HAZARDOUS AREAS + 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.
(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. (September 2013).
[6] Sasol Nitro. Matrix for gassed emulsion Matrix and AN – Emex
(heavy ANFO blends) Data Sheet, (September
2013).
[7] Mahadevan EG. 2013. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.
[8] Sasol Nitro. AN Emex heavy anfo blends data sheet, www.sasol.
com (September 2013).
• 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.
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
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
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
MSA Africa's respiratory and fire
helmets product manager, Suraksha
Mohun, demonstrates lifesaving
solutions at the recent SAESI Expo.
29 December ‘15 Electricity+Control