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.

Executive Summary Newsletter 82

A quarter of the year has already passed, and the arrival of Summer (or Winter), depending on your location, is imminent. The changing of seasons is a natural cycle with profound impacts on all forms of life. From ecological systems to human culture, each season brings unique challenges and opportunities. Embracing these changes allows us to appreciate the beauty and resilience of life, fostering a deeper connection with the environment. Whether through agricultural practices, cultural traditions, or personal reflection, the influence of seasons is a testament to the dynamic and interconnected nature of our world.

Let us prioritise safety, health and environment in the explosives industry in the coming season, in our relentless pursuit of excellence, safety remains our paramount concern. The goal of achieving zero harm is not just an aspirational target but a vital commitment that underpins all our efforts. By fostering a culture where safety is ingrained in every process and decision, we strive to protect our most valuable assets—our people. This dedication to safety innovation ensures that we continuously enhance our practices, learning from past incidents to prevent future occurrences.

To date, SAFEX has received only three incident notifications, all fortunately resulting in no or minor injuries; however, these incidents were all preventable. We encourage you to report your incidents and near misses—sharing this information enhances our collective learning and increases our potential to reduce incidents. This proactive approach will contribute to our industry's reputation as the safest within the chemical sector.

Albert Einstein said: “Concern for man and his safety must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors.”

 

Safety must be the foundation upon which everything else is built

In a world where communication is faster and louder than ever, we must be careful not to let important concepts become empty words. Safety is certainly one of those words. In many industries, it is treated as a priority. But in our sector — civil explosives — safety must be the foundation upon which everything else is built. It is not a slogan, it is a responsibility that must live through every action, every decision, every day.

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Our new Governor

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.

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Principles of Safe Operation

The cardinal principle of safe operation is simple: expose the minimum number of people to the smallest quantity of explosives for the shortest time possible, consistent with the task at hand. But how can we achieve this in practice? Two essential concepts come into play: Inherent Safety and the Basis of Safety (BOS). Inherent safety focuses on designing systems to eliminate hazards at their source, reducing the need for external protective measures.

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A New Resource on Our Website 

As part of our ongoing commitment to Safety, we are introducing a new section on SAFEX website dedicated to the Safety Management System (SMS). This article provides a brief introduction to SMS and outlines the structure you will find on the website.

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Reinforcing windows in overpressure zones

Johanne Della 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.

Read more ►
 

DNA Explosive Management System

It is important to recognise the importance of blasting as a critical hazardous task in the industry and the extra effort that is needed to be made to ensure safety through the process of handling and use of explosives to break rock. Blasters and individuals that are exposed and handle explosives need to be taught how to identify hazards and remediations. Proper blast designs and knowledge are a key role in achieving the wanted outcome while reducing hazards.

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Risk Management of Reactive Ground

Reactive ground is the term used to describe ground that contains high concentrations of sulphides (usually iron or coper) with the potential to react exothermically with ammonium nitrate-based explosives. This spontaneous chemical reaction involves the oxidation of sulphides by nitrates resulting in a quick and unstable rise in temperature. These unexpected and often intense reactions can lead to premature or unplanned initiation of explosives and toxic gas emissions, making reactive ground one of the most hazardous conditions in mining.

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Reporting international and national incidents

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.

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Explosives Traceability

The objective of the traceability regulations is to establish a system for the traceability of explosives used for civil purposes to prevent their misuse and illegal trafficking by being able to monitor and control the movement of explosives, ensuring their proper handling, storage, and disposal.

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Investigating the viability of fungi for explosive decontamination and environmental clean-up

This article discusses the application of fungi in environmental cleanup. It is presented by Northwest University in collaboration with Dyno Nobel and Sasol and provides interesting insight into natural decontamination options.

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