The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) is a professional institute with local and international links aimed at assisting members source information about technological developments in the mining, metallurgical and related sectors.

The key objectives of the Institute are to identify the needs of its members and to initiate and give effect to the means whereby the requirements for technology and scientific knowledge of the minerals and metals section of the South African economy are satisfied; and furthermore to represent and promote the interests of its members.

To this end, one of the SAIMM’s activities for this month is to co-host a Webinar with Rifle-Shot Performance Holdings (RSPH) highlighting the benefits of using the right technologies to enhance Safe Control of Work for employees and contractors alike.

Managers of companies who operate hazardous plants are fully responsible for the health and safety of the people who work there. A critical aspect of plant safety is to identify and reduce the risks associated with non-routine work such as confined space entry, hot work, working from heights and so on.

Paper-based permit-to-work systems lack the integrity required to ensure that work always takes place safely. Paper-based systems are prone to challenges with traceability, legibility, etc. Also, such systems are typically ineffective in assisting supervisors to identify adverse interactions between multiple work crews, which could lead to accidents resulting in injury, loss of life, environmental damage, impairment to the reputation of the company, and legal penalties.

A proven software solution for managing the entire permit-to-work and isolation process with an emphasis on safety and reliability. It helps to ensure that hazards are correctly identified when maintenance takes place, and that the necessary safety precautions are understood and adhered to. Authorisation of permits is controlled and audited to ensure compliance to procedures and increase accountability of the individuals involved.

The intention of this webinar is to make our mining community aware of such technologies that enhance safe work.