International safety award for top performing SA mine
MineSAFE is the South African mining industry’s premier safety conference that is designed to bring local operations to ‘zero harm’ status. The 2014 event is being held in Johannesburg from 20 to 22 August 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).
The conference is the only event of its kind that actively promotes and encourages the adoption of best safety practices across the industry. MineSAFE encourages participation from all stakeholders and is wholly supported by industry and employee representative organisations and government.
MSA Africa managing director Colin Oliver states that the John T. Ryan Safety Trophy will be awarded at a special ceremony on the final day of the MineSAFE 2014 event to the operation that displays the most impressive safety record with regards to minimising lost time injuries and fatalities onsite.
“Impartial judges representing SAIMM, AMMSA and SACMA will determine the winner of the John T. Ryan Trophy, which 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,” he states.
The John T. Ryan Trophy is named after the original founder of MSA. It 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). It consists of a total of five categories, namely; platinum mining, gold mining, collieries, other mines and the overall winner.
Oliver points out that MSA Africa is committed to continually improving safety records in all South African mining sectors. “Although South Africa ranks with some of the world’s most advanced economies with regards to mining safety, there is always room for improvement in a constantly evolving operating environment,” he continues.
This commitment to safety is clearly evident in the fact that a number of MSA Africa product managers will be attending MineSAFE 2014 to interactively display and demonstrate the company’s range of products that add substantial value to the South African mining sector. These include;
Luminator cap lamp
The Luminator, which was launched locally in June 2014, sets itself apart from all other cap lamps in the world, as it features a number of groundbreaking innovations which are set to dramatically improve visibility and personal safety for South African underground miners.
A major feature is that it enhances the miner's ability to more effectively detect cracks on hanging walls, which usually represent signs of ground falls and roof collapse. By swiftly identifying these cracks, miners save valuable seconds and are able to evacuate in the event of a rock fall.
The MSA Luminator cap lamp also features an innovative and world-first cable management solution that can be easily adjusted between 1 m and 1,6 m to minimise the risk of hooking on to obstacles that may cause serious injury to the miner.
Altair 4X Mining multigas detector
The only SABS Mark-approved instrument of its kind, the Altair 4X Mining multigas detector was launched locally in August 2012 together with the revolutionary GX2 Automatic Bump and Calibration Test Station that also provides reliable Data Download and management system when used with the MSA Link Pro Software. It boasts MSA's patented sensor technology that provides fast sensor response and up to four years expected life span on most of the sensors. The Altair 4X Mining is a four gas instrument that detects for CH4, O2, CO, H2S at a low cost of ownership.
V-Gard hard hats
MSA Africa offers the ideal head protection solution for miners with its stylish range of patented V-Gard hardhats, which provide high comfort and performance levels for protection against various hazards. The V-Gard range has become a well-recognised product worldwide and has a proven track record for saving people's lives, and is characterised and easily identified by the trademark 'V' on top. It has been adapted to the needs of different user profiles in order to offer the safest and most comfortable protection in the industry.
Oliver is optimistic of the future outlook for the African mining industry. “MSA Africa is celebrating its 70th anniversary in South Africa, and is proud to have contributed positively to the country’s excellent mining safety record today, through its comprehensive and high-quality product offering. South Africa is seen as the gateway to the rapidly-developing African continent and, given our proven track record, I am confident of measurable growth in the years to come,” he 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
Colin Oliver
MSA Africa Managing Director
Tel: (+27) 11 610 2600
Email: Colin [dot] Oliver [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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