S&V Protect Magazine Vol18 No4 Fourth Quarter 2024
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 OHS in Focus
- The Fire and Life Safety Blame Game – a presentation by Leighton Bennett, Benrisk Consulting, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA
14 Local Manufacturing
- The importance of supporting local manufacturing to preserve South Africa’s footwear industry, by Brad Joyce, director of business development at Neptun Safety Footwear.
16 Anti-Static Protection
- Standard socks could shock: The hidden danger in anti-static work environments, by Deane Northard, BBF Safety Group marketing manager.
18 Fire Protection
- PPG’s flexible epoxy coating provides modular constructions with hours of fire protection.
19 Standards
- Mitigate risks and enhance efficiency – the ISO accreditation advantage, by Robert Erasmus, MD of Sanitech.
- ASTM International devises test methods for breathability of infant products.
21 Personnel
- Mastering contractor management for safety, business efficiency and growth in the mining industry, by Roscoe Bremer, business development executive of KBC Health & Safety.
- Fostering safety through commitment by empowering workforce development and lifelong dedication, by Sian Thurtell, COO of KBC Health & Safety.
23 Respiratory Protection
- How dangerous is Radon? Press release by Radonova Laboratories.
24 MBSA National Safety Competition
- MBA North members place in top 4 of every category - again.
26 Innovation
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: AI solution shows truck drivers where to park.
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Harnessing AI to fight global deforestation.
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: EV battery enclosures with lower carbon emissions.
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Fungal mycelium as the basis for sustainable products.
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Data-efficient foundation model for biomarker detection.
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Mobile test platform for offshore wind turbines.
35 Buyers' Guide
- What's on offer.
Advertisers in this Issue
BBF Safety Group/Bova (11), Claw Boot (03, 06), Dangee Carken/Grittgear (02), Kaliber (05, 15), Neptun Boot (09), Palm Footwear/Terrapod (OFC), Rainbow Group (17), Rebel SafetyGear (08), S&V Calendar (this page), S&V Directory (20), SAFLEC (31), SAPEMA PPE Conference (13).
The next issue
Will be out on 26 February 2025. Deadline for editorial submissions and advertising material is 19 February 2025.
- The importance of supporting local manufacturing to preserve South Africa’s footwear industry
Pinetown, KZN, SA – At Neptun Safety Footwear, our commitment to local manufacturing goes beyond producing quality footwear—it’s about building a sustainable, self-reliant economy in South Africa. We are passionate about growing local industries, not just for the jobs they create today but for the future they secure for ...moreStandard socks could shock: The hidden danger in anti-static work environments
Pinetown, KZN, SA – In any environment where the build-up of static electricity has been determined to be a risk, anti-static footwear must be worn. Anti-static footwear is designed to help dissipate the accumulation of static electricity from the body while still providing a reasonable level of resistance to electrical hazards from ...moreFlexible epoxy coating provides modular constructions with hours of fire protection
Pittsburgh, PA, USA – PPG’s Steelguard 951 epoxy intumescent fire protection coating is designed for advanced – read high value – manufacturing facilities, including semiconductor plants, electric vehicle battery facilities, data centres and other commercial infrastructure.It provides up to 4 hours of fire protecti ...moreMitigate risks and enhance efficiency - the ISO accreditation advantage
Durban, KZN, SA (11 September 2024) – ISO accreditation is a strategic investment that empowers businesses to enhance their competitiveness, mitigate risks, and seize new market opportunities. By adhering to globally recognised standards, organisations can build trust, streamline operations, and achieve sustainable growth. While the ...moreMastering contractor management for safety, business efficiency and growth in the mining industry
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (13 November 2024) – The mining industry operates in a complex and demanding environment characterised by rapid technological advancements, stringent safety regulations, and escalating cost pressures. To compete in this context successfully, mining executives must prioritise operational efficiency, cost-eff ...moreFostering safety through commitment by empowering workforce development and lifelong dedication
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (24 October 2024) – Workplace safety is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is a fundamental aspect of organisational health and success. At its core lies commitment—a steadfast dedication to safeguarding the well-being of employees. When commitment permeates an organisation, it creates a culture ...moreHow dangerous is Radon?
Radon is estimated to cause 3% to 14% percent of all lung cancer cases in the world, depending on where you live and how much radon you are exposed to.Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible and odourless gas that enters homes and workplaces unnoticed. It can pose a serious health risk at elevated levels for a prolonged period. But what ...moreMBA North members place in top 4 of every category in MBSA National Safety Competition – again
Master Builders Association North (MBA North) members have continued their multi-year winning streak by being placed in the top four of every category in the 2024 Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) National Safety Competition (NSC) – the flagship event for health and safety in the building industry.Gerhard Roets, Health and Safety ...moreAI solution shows truck drivers where to park
Berlin, Germany (02 September 2024) – Parking spaces are in short supply at rest stops along Germany’s highways. Truck drivers are required by law to observe certain rest periods, so when they cannot find parking, they often simply park off to the side of an entrance or exit or on the shoulder, all of which are very ...moreAutomatic image recognition to identify types of wood: Harnessing AI to fight global deforestation
Kaiserslautern, Germany (02 September 2024) – The new European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is intended to prevent goods marketed in the EU from contributing to the spread of deforestation. When a wood product is brought into the EU market, for example, there must be documentation of which types of wood were used to produce it, a ...moreFunctionally integrated lightweight design in electric mobility: EV battery enclosures with lower carbon emissions
Chemnitz, Germany (02 September 2024) – More charging power, higher range, lower environmental impact: In the COOLBat joint research project, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU have teamed up with partners to develop next-generation battery enclosures for electric vehicles. Th ...moreCircular economy: Fungal mycelium as the basis for sustainable products
Potsdam, Germany (02 September 2024) – Fungi have more to offer than meets the eye. Their thread-like cells, which grow extensively and out of sight underground like a network of roots, offer huge potential for producing sustainable, biodegradable materials. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in ...moreArtificial intelligence for Clinical Pathology: Data-efficient foundation model for biomarker detection
Bremen, Germany (02 September 2024) – The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems shows promise in medicine, where they can be used to detect diseases earlier, improve treatments, and ease staff workloads. But their performance depends on how well the AI is trained. A new multi-task approach to training AI makes it possible to t ...moreOffshore wind energy: Mobile test platform for offshore wind turbines
Bremerhaven, Germany (02 September 2024) – Public power grids are highly complex systems. Wind turbine manufacturers have to comply with technical guidelines when connecting new turbines to avoid putting grid stability at risk. In the Mobil-Grid-CoP project, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES have d ...moreThe Fire and Life Safety Blame Game!
SFA: EMS Conference 10/24Leighton Bennett (BSc, MDP dip, Pr.CHSA, AIRMSA, GradSaiosh, .M.ACHASM, Former FIOSM)Safety First Association - Chairperson SHE and Risk Management ConsultantOverview• Fire and life safety aspects introduction • Owner / Lessor / Employer Fire and Life Safety Responsibilities • Meaning of life safety ...moreTest methods for breathability of infant products focus of new subcommitteeSubcommittee F15.12 aims to fill the gap on breathing hazards for infant products W. Conshohocken, Pa., U.S. (26 September 2024) – ASTM’s consumer products committee (F15) has begun a new subcommittee on Firmness and Breathability of Juvenile Products (F15.12) on infant breathability test methods. The subcommitt ...moreFootwear Industry Articles
- Growing trend in the East towards factories staffed entirely by robots – rest of the world ‘being left behind’'While Europe is still focused on Industry 4.0, Asia is already gearing up for Industry 5.0, which emphasizes autonomy over mere connectivity.' ...moreSkechers going private to compete smarter?
Skechers has announced its acquisition by private equity firm 3G Capital for $63 per share — a 30% premium over its recent stock price — marking its shift from public to private ownership by Q3 2025. Once the deal closes, Skechers will be delisted from the NYSE, and public shareholders will receive a cash payout. CEO Robe ...more40 000 retail doors could close by 2029, but footwear stores could hold their ownAgainst a backdrop of store closings, shoe retailers UBS analyst Michael Lasser favours include On Holding, Deckers, Dick's and Academy Sports. ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Rwanda plans tannery parkKigali, Rwanda – According to an article in The New Times on 08 April, Rwanda is to establish a tannery park, including a centralised effluent treatment plant, to service more than 1 tannery.The planned tannery park is to be in the Bugesera Industrial Zone, about 50 kilometres from Kigali.The Times reported that the Leather Value Ch ...moreGet the message across on World Leather Day, urges Leather Working Group
On Saturday 26th April 2025, the global leather industry will come together in recognition of the fourth edition of World Leather Day—a global movement dedicated to celebrating leather as a material and promoting a deeper understanding of the leather industry. This social media kit can be used by Leather Naturally members and i ...moreEagle Italian businesses ‘set to reopen’
Marondera, Zimbabwe – Eagle Italian Leather (Pvt) Ltd and Eagle Italian Shoes (Pvt) Ltd, which operate as a combined tanning and footwear manufacturing business and which were set up about 20 years ago to supply the Zimbabwean Government with military boots, are expecting to reopen, director Francesco Marconati said this month.He sa ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- South Africa’s first safety escape room for hands-on health and safety training
South Africa's first safety escape room was set up at Phalaborwa Mining Company (PMC) in November last year by health and safety solutions provider KBC.“We required a fresh approach to training,” said Mabore Macheru, Manager in Training Development and Contractor Management at PMC. “This offers an interactive and practic ...moreBeier Group, Department of Higher Education and SETA ‘better together’
Pinetown, KZN, SA – The Beier Group, which includes the BBF Safety Group, in December hosted the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) and the FP&M SETA for an oversight visit to ensure that state funds are being used in accordance with the Sectoral Skills Plan.DHET deputy minister Dr Mimmy Martha Gondwe and SETA ...moreSGS to host 'Discovering PPE softlines solutions’ on 27 MarchGeneva, Switzerland – Testing, inspection and certification company SGS is hosting a complimentary webinar, ‘Discovering PPE softlines solutions’, on 27 March 2025.The global market for personal protective equipment (PPE) is expanding, but it is also becoming more regulated. Businesses looking to ensure product complianc ...more
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