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.
The year 2025 is quickly running out and people are starting to think of the Holiday Season ahead. Nothing like that for the SAFEX leadership who are fully busy with the Congress arrangements for April 2026. As the old saying goes “nobody can hit a target without the right focus”.
Most preparations for the upcoming Congress have been completed, including the finalization of the program schedule. Members have received detailed information regarding the agenda, registration procedures, and hotel accommodations. Additionally, hotel booking details are accessible to the public via the official website, ensuring transparency and ease of access for all attendees.
At Dyno Nobel, safety is the cornerstone of our operations and the guiding principle behind every decision we make.
As Chief Executive Officer, I am pleased to share our continued commitment to operational excellence through the integration of our risk management and health and safety management systems - an initiative that reflects our dedication to protecting our people, our communities, and the broader industry.
Read more ►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.
Read more ►Dust extractions systems are an important control to minimize this risk but also poses hazard when not properly designed or maintained. This article revisits three significant events involving energetic materials and extraction or air conditioning systems, drawing key lessons to strengthen our collective safety culture.
Read more ►Over the years, numerous incidents have been linked to inadequate dust control, resulting in fires, explosions, and worker injuries and fatalities. Effective dust extraction systems and operating practices are essential to minimize these hazardous conditions, ensuring that fine particles are safely collected and removed from work areas.
Read more ►In high-hazard industries, we don’t get many second chances. In explosives operations, where tolerances are tight and consequences are severe, safety isn’t upheld by extraordinary innovation — it’s maintained through unrelenting attention to the basics. The principles that govern safe manufacture, storage, and transport are well known across the industry.
Read more ►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.
Read more ►In response to our members for nominations to the Expert Panel I am pleased to report that we have several new members to the Expert Panel as follows.
Read more ►The National Institute of Explosives Technology, a distinguished Corporate Associate Member of SAFEX in South Africa, recently hosted a highly successful conference in the Western Cape. The event was attended by over 120 members, reflecting significant engagement within the industry. The organization graciously consented to allow SAFEX to publish several pertinent presentations in our newsletter, thereby facilitating knowledge sharing and professional development within the explosives technology sector.
Over the years, SAFEX has been privileged to count among its members individuals whose contributions have left a lasting impression on our Association and the wider explosives industry. These are people who had a passion for safety with an unwavering generosity to share knowledge. With a deep commitment to protecting lives and the environment, they have quietly shaped our collective progress. Their impact- immeasurable and often unseen - makes them the unsung heroes of SAFEX. Mervyn Traut was one of those rare individuals.
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