Mines must choose PDS to comply with safety law
March 2017
IS & Ex
While many mines consider proximity detection systems (PDS) a ‘grudge purchase’ to comply with the revised Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), there is still considerable legal onus on both users and suppliers to ensure that all equipment is fit for purpose.
Anton Lourens, managing director of leading PDS supplier Booyco Electronics, emphasises the importance of mines being very careful in their selection of equipment to avoid falling foul of the law.
“We’ve seen a strong drive by the Department of Mineral Resources to enforce compliance with the new legislation,” says Lourens. “Some mining companies will opt for the cheapest equipment just so they can tick that box in the requirements, but this does create a risk further down the line if an accident occurs and equipment is found to be not up to the task.”
He also highlights the responsibility of PDS suppliers to deliver a reliable solution to their mining customers, and pointed out that there are still suppliers in the market who do not fully understand their legal liabilities when selling PDS technology to mines.
“In terms of Section 21 of the MHSA, the equipment supplied by OEMs must be fit for purpose,” he adds. “If it is found that equipment does not comply, then the OEM can face both civil and criminal prosecution; as the PDS supplier to the OEM, we also bear responsibility.”
Lourens says the role of a competent supplier is to help educate customers about the importance of the drive towards zero harm, which requires a commitment and passion rather than a tick box approach.
“My view is that our biggest challenge when dealing with the mining sector is customer education, getting the end-users to understand what is a fit for purpose technology, and what the limitations are with each of the technologies,” he explains.
He adds that the vital research and development required to advance the capability of PDS offerings had to be funded by the suppliers, not the mines. This placed a financial burden on all companies active in this space, but that was unavoidable in the light of legislation and suppliers must take on this responsibility with care and commitment.
For more information contact Anton Lourens, Booyco Electronics, 086 126 6926, [email protected], www.booyco-electronics.co.za
Further reading:
Cybersecurity for potentially explosive areas
Phoenix Contact
IS & Ex
The Cellulink outdoor cellular router product range from Phoenix Contact is being extended. New versions are now also available that have been specially developed for use in Zone 2 potentially explosive areas.
Read more...
Windows tablets for hazardous areas
Extech Safety Systems
IS & Ex
i.safe Mobile has expanded its intrinsically safe product range with the launch of the IS945.x series rugged Windows tablets, designed for use in hazardous and demanding industrial environments.
Read more...
Strengthening safety, skills and operational resilience during strategic shutdowns in petrochemical plants
IS & Ex
In the petrochemical industry, shutdowns are high-stakes operations that play a vital role in maintaining plant performance, safety and compliance. A well-executed shutdown helps prevent unplanned outages, minimises costly downtime and keeps operations running efficiently long after production resumes.
Read more...
Kollmorgen expands hazardous location portfolio with AKME servo motors
IS & Ex
With the most compact sizes, high power density, a wide range of mounting and encoder options, and ATEX and IECEx certifications, Kollmorgen’s new AKME servo motors deliver exceptional performance and versatility in hazLoc applications.
Read more...
Hazardous area inspections
Extech Safety Systems
IS & Ex
The i.safe MOBILE IS940.1 tablet from Extech delivers the performance of a modern Android device, but in a package designed from the ground up for hazardous areas.
Read more...
Unified endpoint management in hazardous industrial environments
Extech Safety Systems
IS & Ex
The strategic integration of SafeUEM‘s comprehensive end-point management platform with i.safe MOBILE‘s certified intrinsically safe devices delivers a unified solution specifically engineered to address the challenges of managing technology in hazardous industrial settings.
Read more...
A lesson in the history and evolution of industrial safety systems
Schneider Electric South Africa
IS & Ex
One only has to briefly page through the annals of our industrial history to come across truly hair-raising stories of safety systems failing or underperforming with catastrophic repercussions. Fortunately, industrial safety in the last few decades has undergone some truly profound development.
Read more...
Windows tablets for Zone 1/21, Zone 2/22 and mining
Extech Safety Systems
IS & Ex
Extech is expanding its portfolio with the Windows-based tablets IS945.1, IS945.2, and IS945.M1. For the first time, EX certification is combined with full Windows compatibility, without compromising on software or security.
Read more...
Certified safe power for hazardous industrial environments
Conical Technologies
IS & Ex
When working in high-risk environments like oil and gas, petrochemical plants or other hazardous industrial zones, safety isn’t just important, it’s essential. That’s why Traco Power developed the TIB-EX series of DIN rail power supplies, purpose-built to deliver reliable power even in the toughest conditions.
Read more...
Parker strengthens explosion safety
IS & Ex
Parker Hannifin has announced that its 37 mm Ex d m coils have attained new ATEX and IECEx Type Examination Certificates according to the latest explosion protection standards.
Read more...
printer friendly version