Safex Newsletter No.82 May 2025
In alignment with our previous newsletters, we commence our articles with a safety message from Gilles de Preux, the CEO of the SEE Group, headquartered in Switzerland.
We are pleased to announce the introduction of a new member to our Board of Governors. Christo Peltz from AECI Mining will be succeeding Neil Franklin, who has stepped down due to work commitments.
Progress on our website is being prioritized under the leadership of Andy Begg, Paulo Siquera, and Ludovic Turlin. A Basis of Safety section is now operational, and significant advancements have been made on the Safety Management System. Articles regarding both initiatives are presented by Andy and Paulo.
Johanne dela Rovere from EPC presents an article on the reinforcement of windows to withstand overpressure. An assessment of the resistance of installations to blast waves typically indicates that glazed joinery and glazing are prevalent weak points in infrastructure.
Diane Ginnane elaborates on a Safety Management System developed by Dyno Nobel. Dyno Nobel has introduced an innovative Explosives Management System (ExMS) that emphasizes the identification and management of critical activities, while establishing standards and procedures that define minimum requirements for all operations related to explosives and the security of sensitive hazardous substances.
From South Africa, BME’s Dr. Ramesh Dhoorgapersadh addresses risk management in reactive ground. Reactive ground refers to soil containing high concentrations of sulfides (typically iron or copper) that have the potential to react exothermically with ammonium nitrate-based explosives.
Johanne recently delivered a presentation at a technical conference in Belgium focused on SAFEX and the associated database. In her preparation, she identified key areas for improvement, which were subsequently communicated to the webmaster.
NIXT, a Corporate Associate Member in South Africa, successfully hosted a conference in April, during which they agreed to feature two presentations in our Newsletter. One presentation will cover the Track and Trace of Explosives by Rob Penny from Synertech, while the other will discuss the application of fungi in environmental cleanup, presented by Northwest University in collaboration with Dyno Nobel and Sasol.
The current list of Board Initiatives is accessible on the homepage of the website. Should any member wish to contribute to these work groups, please feel free to reach out to me.
We are pleased to announce that our upcoming Newsletter will be published at the end of October 2025. A reminder will be distributed to solicit contributions from industry professionals.
Additionally, we would like to remind you of our triannual Congress taking place in Lisbon in April 2026. The organization of this significant event in our calendar is progressing well. We are currently seeking a few more papers on incidents for discussion during our Member Day. Please reach out to me if you are interested in representing your company.
Until we meet again, please remain vigilant and prioritize your safety.