In a bid to limit or even eliminate costly work stoppages, large-scale projects often buy large quantities of explosives well ahead of time to ensure a consistent supply stream for when they’re needed. But mining, quarrying, construction, and manufacturing companies rarely have the capacity, time, funds, and resources to safely and effectively store explosives on-site.
That’s where warehousing solutions provided by industry experts such as Mining and Energy Acuity (MEA) come into play. Utilising the experience and expertise of a specialist explosives logistics provider lifts considerable pressure from companies’ shoulders, while adding extra layers of protection both in the security of explosive materials and in terms of legislative requirements.
Although there are many factors to consider, MEA is aware that each of these safety measures quickly add up when it comes to storing explosives properly for a superior service. And, critically, even the small things count.
Here’s a closer look at just three vital safety considerations which don’t always receive the same attention as other safety and risk factors:
1. Magazine design
MEA ensures that all our fit-for-purpose magazines strictly adhere to requirements set out by the Chief Inspector of Explosives in accordance with the Explosives Act 26 of 1956, and are fenced according to SAPD explosives standards, ensuring compliance at all levels for explosives storage.
Warehouses, or ‘danger goods buildings’ are also only constructed using compatible materials that don’t pose a safety risk to the explosives and accompanying instruments, complying with the South African National Standards’ (SANS) 10236 guidelines. Special consideration is also made to protect against lightning for the same reasons.
2. Safe storage spaces
MEA has a number of rigorous procedures in place to ensure the safety and quality of all stored materials. Storage spaces are equipped with climate control systems to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels to prevent spoilage, as well as all the necessary emergency response equipment such as fire extinguisher and spill kits.
A comprehensive inventory management system meticulously tracks the quantity and types of explosives in storage, preventing overstocking that may increase the risk of an incident occurring. This type of inventory control also follows the first-in, first-out principle as stipulated by regulations to ensure that explosives aren’t stored for too long.
Finally, strict access control measures are implemented to prevent any unauthorised access to storage spaces, including highly trained security personnel with experience in guarding explosives, surveillance cameras, and biometric access systems.
3. Training and assigning competent explosives managers
A competent explosives manager must be involved in the handling and storage of explosives material, as per the Department of Labour’s Explosives Regulations. However, South Africa currently only has a handful of trained and qualified responsible persons at its disposal, making it difficult for companies to adhere to this particular regulation on their own.
The appointment of a responsible person allows a company to delegate the handling and storage of explosives to a qualified contractor or an employee of such a contractor. MEA’s team of trained explosives professionals, with nearly 60 years of combined experience, is capable of safely and efficiently managing explosives material in compliance with all relevant regulations.
MEA not only employs a number of responsible persons, who are assigned to various locations across our Africa operations, but we also train new responsible persons and ensure that they become qualified. In doing so, we are increasing the pool of available persons for the industry to draw from, while ensuring that we are always sufficiently staffed to meet every client’s needs.
Ultimately, MEA has the client’s best interests at heart, which means providing comprehensive storage solutions that are safe and secure while simplifying the process of companies accessing their explosive materials and accompanying instruments when needed. This removes the complexity, and cost- and time-waste components from managing explosives logistics in South Africa.
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