Newsletter 83
SAFEX Newsletter Executive Summary
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.
Advancing Safety Through Integrated Risk Management
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 moreSafety Management System (SMS)
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 moreEnergetic Dust control: Lessons from Recent Incidents
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 moreDust Generation and Control in the Explosives Industry
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 moreGetting the Fundamentals Right
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 moreDyno Nobel’s Behavioural Safety Evolution Through SafeLEADERS
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 moreNew members for the Expert Panel
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 moreNational Institute of Explosives Technology
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.
Tribute to Mervyn Traut: He Gave Freely because He Cared
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.
Read more