Global safety award presented to Lonmin for a second consecutive year
 | Global safety award presented to Lonmin for a second consecutive year | 15.6 KB | Download |
 Preview | (L to R) MSA's Colin Oliver, DMR's David Msiza, Lonmin's Rodney Opperman and MSA's Hayley Arnesen | 714.68 KB | Download |
 Preview | The Lonmin team with the John T. Ryan Trophy. | 921.85 KB | Download |
 Preview | The Lonmin team with the John T. Ryan Trophy | 807.3 KB | Download |
The John T. Ryan Safety Trophy is named after the original founder of MSA, which is today a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated products that protect people's health and safety. MSA is also the official sponsor of the trophy, which was first introduced to the Canadian mining sector in 1941, before expanding globally to include; Chile (1996), Peru (1999), Colombia (2011), South Africa (2011), Argentina (2012) and Brazil (2012).
MineSAFE is designed to bring South African mines to 'zero-harm' status. The conference is hosted by the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), Association of Mine Managers of South Africa (AMMSA) and the South African Colliery Managers' Association (SACMA). All parties involved in safety on the mines participate in an endeavour to bring about meaningful change to the industry. Impartial judges at the 2013 conference presented safety awards in five categories.
In addition to being named as the national winner of all categories, Lonmin's 1B4B Mine was also named as the national winner of the platinum mining category. The national winner of the gold mining category was Kloof Mining Unit 4 (Ikamva Shaft), while the national winner of the collieries category was the New Vaal Colliery. Finally, the national winner of the diamondiferous, base metal and opencast (other mines) category was Leeupan Opencast Mine.
MSA Africa exports, distribution and loyalty director Hayley Arnesen says: "Congratulations to Lonmin and the other mining companies in gaining deserved recognition for making a measurable contribution towards improving worker safety, which is of paramount importance to the local industry. The John T. Ryan Trophy is sculpted to feature a father coming home from work with his arms around the shoulders of his son and daughter. This is a representation that the worker is the most important commodity in the mine, and has become the embodiment of safety in the industry."
John T. Ryan - the man behind the trophy
John Thomas Ryan was involved in safety and rescue programmes in the United States coal mining industry in the early 1900s. In one year, there were 1 000 recorded fatalities in a 100 mile radius of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - which equated to approximately six deaths for every one million tons of coal. Open flame underground lamps were considered a major contributor to this shocking statistic.
As a result, Ryan founded Mine Safety Appliances in 1914, and worked closely with world-renowned inventor Thomas Edison to create the electric cap lamp which, over the next 25 years, reduced mine explosions by an astounding 75 per cent. "Of all his inventions, this was the one that did the most for humanity," Edison would later say in life. Having expanded the company globally, Ryan died in 1941, leading to the birth of his namesake trophy that continues to promote worker safety to this day.
The symbolism of the John T. Ryan Trophy become increasingly important worldwide, particularly within the past 15 years. Arnesen reveals that representative bodies in countries with large mining industries - such as Australia, Zambia and Zimbabwe - are seeking to implement the John T. Ryan Trophy in their respective sectors in the near future. "MSA is proud to sponsor this trophy, which has become invaluable to so many people. Its rapid growth is a clear indication of a positive shift in global safety standards - where MSA remains at the forefront," she concludes.
Ends
Notes to the Editor
There are numerous photographs specific to this press release. Please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the MSA Africa link.
About MSA
MSA been the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality safety products since 1914. MSA products may be simple to use and maintain, but they’re also highly-sophisticated devices and protective gear - the result of countless R&D hours, relentless testing, and an unwavering commitment to quality that saves lives and protects thousands of men and women each and every day. Many of MSA's most popular products integrate multiple combinations of electronics, mechanical systems, and advanced materials to ensure that users around the world remain protected in even the most hazardous of situations. MSA's dedication to safety has been the key to its impressive year-over-year growth. In eight of the past ten years, MSA has achieved record growth numbers, with annual revenues of more than US$1 billion.
MSA Africa Contact Details
Hayley Arnesen
Exports, Distribution and Loyalty Director
Tel: (+27) 11 610 2600
Email: Hayley [dot] Arnesen [at] msasafety [dot] com
Web: www.msanet.com
Media Contact
Renay Tandy
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867 7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 082 562 5088
Email: renay [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
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