S&V Protect Magazine Vol17 No2 Third Quarter 2023
The only SA magazine aimed exclusively at the PPE end user.
This Magazine is sponsored by SAFLIA
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IN THIS ISSUE:
03 Upfront
- Copying: BBF and Rebel accuse Dromex of copying, which it denies – but that’s the way the industry operates, says distributor.
- 4Tify Africa resurrection bid – ‘talks with liquidators ongoing’.
09 OHS in Focus
- The second in a new series: Are you a compliance or competent health and safety practitioner, asks Leighton Bennett, Benrisk Consulting, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA, because people’s lives depend on it.
10 Sanitation
- The harsh reality of South Africa’s ongoing sewage crisis and its undeniable link to drinking water quality, writes Gerhart Britz of Sanitech, Durban, KZN, SA.
12 Countering counterfeit
- German manufacturer Bosch has developed Origify, a system which can capture the minute differences in every product coming off a production line to allow counterfeit products to be detected – including in medical and pharmaceutical products and medicines.
13 Drugs & Alcohol
- Addressing the growing threat of substance abuse in mining operations. - Clarifying the role of breathalyser results in employee dismissals: Dispelling misconceptions to ensure workplace safety. Both articles by Rhys Evans, Alco-Safe, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
21 Innovations
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Dynamic risk management – on the road with safe and reliable autonomous vehicles.
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Terahertz measurement system for slush skins used in airbag construction.
27 Buyers' Guide
- What's on offer.
Advertisers in this Issue
Evolution Engineering (01), Hi-Tec Interceptor (OFC), Palm Footwear/Terrapod (06), Rebel SafetyGear (02), S&V Calendar (10), S&V Directory (09), SAFLEC (11), Selective International Footwear Kaliber (04).
The next issue
Will be out on 22 November 2023.
- BBF and Rebel accuse Dromex of copying, which it denies – but that’s the way the industry operates, says distributorThree of SA’s biggest PPE OEMs are involved in what is – so far – a war of words over copying.On 04 September, BBF Safety Group sent a notice to its distributors and some end users claiming Dromex’s Nobuhle and Ulteco Plus styles “replicate too closely our Sisi Reese and Bova Neoflex safety boot styles” ...moreThe harsh reality of South Africa's ongoing sewage crisis and its undeniable link to drinking water qualityDurban, KZN, SA (09 October 2023) – South Africa's sewage crisis has dire consequences for public health, waterways, and ecosystems. Outdated and poorly maintained wastewater infrastructure due to insufficient investment is one factor that results in poor waste management. The strain of rapid urbanisation with inadequate sanitation ...moreFighting counterfeiting in the medical and pharmaceutical industry: Origify offers end-to-end authentication* Origify from Bosch enables image-based recording of products during production or packaging processes.* A following check for authenticity can also be done via a suitable smartphone with camera and the Origify app. ...moreOn the road with autonomous vehicles — safe and reliableKaiserslautern, Germany (01 August 2023) – An important challenge for the acceptance of autonomous driving is to ensure the safety of road users without risking a loss of speed. A team of scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE), the Fraunhofer Institute for Cognitive Systems (IKS), and t ...moreSafe airbag deployment: Terahertz measurement system for slush skinsKaiserslautern, Germany (01 August 2023) – According to the Government Statistics Office, more than 358,000 people were injured in traffic accidents in Germany in 2022. Airbags often prevent more serious injuries. While driving, airbags are normally hidden behind a high-grade plastic panel called a slush skin that envelops larg ...moreAre you a compliance or competent health and safety practitioner?The second in a new series by Leighton Bennett, Benrisk Consulting, 083 325 4182, benrisk@mweb.co.za. As a now practicing SACPCMP Pr.CHSA and a SHE and Risk Management Consultant, who entered into the OHS discipline field in 1978, I interface with health and safety practitioners in all sectors of SA’s industries and busin ...moreAddressing the growing threat of substance abuse in mining operationsJohannesburg, Gauteng, SA (17 August 2023) – Mining companies face significant safety risks associated with the use of nyaope and cannabis among their employees, jeopardising both the well-being of workers and the overall safety of operations. These substances can severely impair users' ability to concentrate, posing challenges to m ...more
Footwear Industry Articles
- SAFLEC AGM 2026: A year marked by resilienceOn behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to welcome all our members and stakeholders to the 24th Annual General Meeting of the South African Leather & Footwear Export Council (SAFLEC).The Annual General Meeting provides us with an opportunity not only to reflect on the performance of the Council over the past financial y ...morePlastics SA ‘celebrates 30 years of inspiring South Africans to take action against litter’ – but so much more is neededJohannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Plastics SA, the umbrella body which represents all sectors of the SA plastics industry, will hold its 30th annual ‘Clean-Up and Recycle Week’ from 14-20 September.In a release, Plastics SA said the annual event “has grown into one of South Africa’s largest collaborative environmen ...moreBova Socks: The PPE layer that works inside the bootIn demanding work environments, safety footwear plays a critical role in helping workers manage workplace risks. However, the sock worn inside the boot also influences comfort, hygiene, fit and overall performance throughout the shift. This makes Bova’s sock range an essential part of a complete PPE solution.Bova high-performance so ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Beyond the data trap: Why better decisions matter more than just more dataOn 1st July 2026 I presented at the FILK Leather Days conference and asked the delegates to consider “Sustainability through a new lens: resetting how we view impacts in the leather value chain”. This month’s article therefore explores this idea a little more with a focus on how we view data and whether it can blind us t ...moreOBLIQUITYShareholder value is usually the result of running a good business, not a reliable operational principle for running one ...more‘FMD is here to stay – we have to learn to live with it and manage it’Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – FMD is no longer a series of isolated outbreaks; it has become a national systemic risk, and we need to shift our mindset from emergency response to living with and managing FMD responsibly. The pressure is already showing in the numbers. Our latest figures show cattle slaughter down 12% and sheep slaughter d ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Premier Workwear: Engineered protection for Africa’s industrial workforceIn high-risk industrial environments, protective clothing is far more than a uniform requirement — it is a critical component of workplace safety, operational reliability and regulatory compliance. For procurement professionals, safety managers and operational leaders, selecting the right supplier means finding a partner capable of ...moreObituary: Colin Battle, agent (17/04/1957-27/07/2026): Our sales trips were a whole life experienceDearest Lee, Greg & Sammy,I send my sincerest condolences & wishes of long and healthy lives to all of you, after the passing of your beloved Colin. I’ve no doubt that once the pain of losing an adored husband and father starts to subside, you will be left the glorious memories of your lives together with a most wonderful an ...moreOccupational noise-induced hearing loss ‘is the most prevalent occupational disease in the world’Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is the most prevalent occupational disease in the world*. 16% of all disabling hearing loss in adults is due to noise exposure.It’s also expensive. According to one study, it costs US$242 million in annual compensation in the USA. In the UK, the typical cost per claim in the is £ ...more
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