Safex Newsletter No.83 November 2025

As per usual we start the Newsletter with a safety message from an industry leader, this time it is from Mauro Neves, the CEO of Dyno Nobel, John Rathbun, our chairman, hosted a successful meeting with the CEOs from our industry on 28 October, aiming to foster substantial support for SAFEX from industry leaders. This gathering underscore our commitment to strengthening strategic alliances and advancing our core mission under challenging circumstances. The primary objective is to secure widespread backing and collaboration to ensure the successful promotion and development of SAFEX initiatives, reflecting our dedication to industry growth and innovation.

Under the leadership of Juan Andres Errazuriz, ENAEX sponsored our ninth webinar focused on "Lessons Learned During Burning Ground Activities." This topic is highly relevant to safety practices across our industry. Participants are encouraged to review the Argyle incident detailed on our website, which highlights the hazards associated with burning ground operations. The incident underscores the importance of implementing effective mitigation strategies to prevent similar occurrences. Emphasizing safety protocols and hazard awareness is essential to ensure the well-being of personnel and the integrity of operations during such activities.

Andy Begg and Paul Siqueira have published an authoritative awareness document on Safety Management Systems. This comprehensive resource is now available on our website, designed to serve as a valuable reference for all stakeholders. It encourages active engagement and input from users, fostering a collaborative approach to safety management practices within the organization.

SAFEX received two articles on dust extraction very much complimenting each other:

Energetic Dust control: Lessons from Recent Incidents by Joao Roorda and Nadia Engler

Dust Generation and Control in the Explosives Industry by Paulo Siqueira.

Bob Woolley emphasizes the importance of establishing a solid foundation in our hazardous industry. Proper understanding and implementation of fundamental safety protocols are crucial, as neglecting these principles can lead to severe consequences, including threats to human life and infrastructure integrity. Ensuring that safety measures are correctly applied not only mitigates risks but also promotes a culture of safety and responsibility within the industry.

At Dyno Nobel, safety leadership is not just a role—it’s a responsibility woven into the fabric of how the Company Operates. There behavioural safety journey has evolved from foundational programs like SafeTEAMS and concepts of SafeGROUND to the launch of SafeLEADERS, a comprehensive leadership development initiative designed to embed safety into every decision, conversation, and action.The article on this was presented by Diana Gianne from Dyno Nobel.

Following numerous years of dedicated service, several esteemed Expert Panel Members elected to dedicate their retirement to personal pursuits. This transition posed a significant challenge to SAFEX, as it resulted in the loss of valuable industry experience accumulated over the years. In response, Andy Begg initiated a strategic recruitment campaign to attract new talent. We are pleased to introduce the new members who have joined our Expert Panel. Comprehensive details about these individuals are also available on our official website, reflecting our ongoing commitment to maintaining a highly qualified and experienced panel to support industry excellence.

It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Mervyn Traut, a highly respected member of our industry community. Mervyn was renowned for his mentorship, unwavering support, and dedicated assistance to SAFEX and its members over many years. His contributions have left a lasting impact, and he will be sincerely missed. Below is a tribute written by Dr. Boet Coezee, honoring his exceptional life and legacy.

Finally, I am pleased to share a flyer to inform members about the upcoming Third International Explosives Conference scheduled to take place in Cardiff, Wales, in June 2026. For comprehensive details and registration information, please visit the official conference website.

Leading with Safety: Dyno Nobel’s Behavioural Safety Evolution Through SafeLEADERS

By Diana Gianne from Dyno Nobel | September 2025

At Dyno Nobel, safety leadership is not just a role—it’s a responsibility woven into the fabric of how we operate. Our behavioural safety journey has evolved from foundational programs like SafeTEAMS and concepts of SafeGROUND to the launch of SafeLEADERS, a comprehensive leadership development initiative designed to embed safety into every decision, conversation, and action.

From Awareness to Ownership

SafeLEADERS builds on the cultural groundwork laid by SafeTEAMS and the concept of SafeGROUND, shifting the focus from safety awareness to leadership ownership. It challenges leaders to move beyond compliance and become catalysts for cultural change—creating environments where safety is visible, felt, and deeply personal.
The program is anchored in three core pillars:

Each pillar is supported by practical tools, behavioural models, and structured learning experiences that guide leaders in applying safety principles in real-world settings.

The Anatomy of a SafeLEADER

At the heart of the program is a behavioural blueprint that reimagines leadership through a metaphorical anatomy. Each part of the body represents a key leadership behaviour:
Body Part Behaviour Description

  • Eyes Observe Spot hazards, recognize excellence, and seek weak signals
  • Mind Think Apply emotional intelligence, curiosity, and problem-solving
  • Mouth Speak Communicate expectations, share stories, and coach with clarity
  • Ears Listen Empower others to speak up and facilitate open dialogue
  • Arms Engage Build SafeGROUND through collaboration and inclusion
  • Hands Act Take accountability, assign responsibility, and drive discipline
  • Heart Care Lead with empathy, humility, and personal concern
  • Knees Learn Stay flexible, ask for support, and avoid reactive responses
  • Feet Walk Demonstrate visible leadership where the work happens
  • Backbone Stand Uphold integrity, challenge constructively, and resolve conflicts
  • Soul Believe Commit to Zero Harm and lead by example every day

This model helps leaders internalize safety as a lived experience—not just a checklist.

Program Structure: From Training to Transformation

The SafeLEADERS program is designed as a multi-phase journey:

Phase 1: Learning & Immersion

  • One-day live sessions delivered across global regions
  • Virtual delivery for remote sites
  • Facilitator-led workshops with storytelling, scenario-based learning, and peer reflection
  • Personal commitment exercises including “My Why” and “2-degree shift” pledges

Phase 2: Embedding & Application

Integration with Leader Standard Work (LSW).
Embedding tools such as:

  • Pocketbooks
  • Tip sheets and coaching videos
  • “Moments That Matter” visual aids
  • SafeLEADER workbooks for post-session reflection
  • Community of Practice forums

Phase 3: Measurement & Reinforcement

  • Health checks to assess leadership behaviours
  • Balanced scorecard metrics tied to TRIFR, critical control verification, and event learning
  • Leader Connect sessions for ongoing dialogue
  • Recognition systems to reward innovation and initiative

Conversations That Shape Culture

A cornerstone of SafeLEADERS is the emphasis on quality conversations. Leaders are trained to:

  • Prioritise connection before content
  • Treat the worker as expert
  • Trust and verify through observation and inquiry
  • Reinforce safe work, not just respond to incidents
  • Close the loop by following through on commitments

These conversations build trust, encourage psychological safety, and foster a culture of continuous learning.

Global Rollout: A Unified Vision Across Regions

With pilots completed and facilitators trained, SafeLEADERS is being rolled out across Dyno Nobel’s global footprint.
The embedding strategy is aligned with regional implementation roadmaps and Business Unit targets.

Why SafeLEADERS Matters

SafeLEADERS is more than a training program—it’s a leadership transformation. It equips leaders to:

  • Create SafeGROUND where people feel empowered
  • Lead with visible and felt presence
  • Manage risk with healthy unease
  • Drive accountability and close the loop
  • Personalize safety through “My Why” and everyday actions

At Dyno Nobel, we believe that Zero Harm is achievable when leadership is intentional, authentic, and connected. SafeLEADERS is our commitment to making that belief a reality—one leader, one conversation, and one moment at a time.