News

One of Europe’s leading chemical filter manufacturers, Amazon Filters, is showcasing the latest developments with its wide range of filters and housings. A key theme is how its proprietary technology safeguards operators and improves process economics in hazardous production environments worldwide. They include coatings manufacture, pharmaceutical processing, particulate and contaminant removal and laboratory-based separation systems. As well as filters such as the new VisClear II, specifically designed for the high-temperature manufacture of viscous fluids, Amazon Filters is highlighting its SupaClean system that accepts the company’s full range of filter types while providing exceptional operator safety. Visit Stand M30 or https://www.amazonfilters.com/industry/chemicals-and-coatings.

The Water Jetting Association is implementing changes to its drain and sewer training to embed standards and improve the learning experience of operatives as it reports a major increase in courses delivered.

The association, the member organisation for the water jetting industry, has introduced a series of updates to its training procedures designed to raise the quality of training outcomes.

Its aim is to build on the success of its City & Guilds accredited courses, the key ones for the drainage industry being its class-based Safety Awareness course and its Drain and Sewer practical module.

Operatives must pass both courses to obtain their WJA training cards. Many contractors and water utility companies specify this training standard for jetting operatives working on their sites.

Latest figures show a big increase in WJA people courses being delivered over the last five years. In 2022, nearly 20,000 people attended WJA courses, well over double the number of courses delivered in 2018.

For the WJA Drain and Sewer practical module, the uplift on training is even more evident, with a five-fold increase in the courses delivered in 2022 compared with 2018.

WJA Training and Safety Chairman Steve Williams said: “Increasing practical training must be good for the drainage industry. Contractors must be given huge credit for embracing our approach.

“Hands-on training delivered by skilled WJA approved instructors is vital to set an industry standard on the safety and operational performance of water jetting in drains, sewers and other wastewater assets.”

The WJA is committed to continuously reviewing and improving its training offer to the drainage industry, a process that has resulted in significant changes over the last six months.

A key step has been the publication of a fully revised WJA code of practice for use of water jetting equipment in drains and sewers, the Red Code.

For example, it now encompasses surface preparation jetting up to 275 bar, to acknowledge the cleaning and washdown tasks drainage contractors increasingly carry out.

The WJA has had valuable input from the HSE in updating the Red Code, reflecting the safety regulator’s view of the importance of this code in the water jetting industry.

Steve Williams said: “Any drainage contractor that builds the Red Code guidance into operational procedures can be sure it’s working to health and safety standards the HSE considers to be best practice.

“We also value the insights of WJA members. By pooling their knowledge and drainage industry experience, the Red Code is improving safety for everyone. This is at the core of the WJA’s purpose.”

The Drain and Sewer practical module has also been updated, in line with the Red Code changes, so technical issues learned and techniques taught are fully up-to-date.

WJA approved instructors can now use the CLiKAPAD digital Q&A system to assess operatives during the training. This is making learning more engaging. It also helps overcome barriers related to language, writing and numeracy skills, as well as anxiety about being tested.

The refresher training process has also been improved, with operatives now sitting a Safety Awareness recap and the practical element of the WJA practical module relevant to their industry, so practice skills can also be assessed and best practice reinforced.

The permitted size of courses has been increased to 12 delegates, as long as risk assessments for safety and training quality have been carried out.

This removes limits found to be unnecessary, and allows WJA approved training providers and instructors to plan training more effectively to meet growing demand for WJA water jetting training.

The WJA has also introduced an Audited Member programme, with all participating members being audited every three years. This gives their clients even greater assurance about WJA standards, and an opportunity for members to market those standards more effectively.

www.waterjetting.org.uk

Focusing on creating the ultimate product, and not diversifying into other areas has meant that we have been delivering industry-leading fit for purpose, fully certified cable glands and enclosure accessories for 75 years.

Certifications

• Hazardous area glands are certified Ex db, Ex eb and Ex nR
• Multiple Certification includes UKCA, ATEX, IECEx, CSA, UL, INMETRO, EAC, CCoE & CCC
• Marine Certification including RMRS, LLoyds & ABS
• Certification specifically for temperatures as low as -60°C and as high as +180°C.

What do we mean by ‘fit for purpose’?

There are many cable glands on the market, and many that will serve their purpose, however we set out to supply cable glands that do more than serve; they needed to be robust, fully inspectable and backed by a first-class customer service that will ensure every last detail is considered.

By their very nature, cable glands should be tough – anything less and entire projects can come to a standstill. Predominately (but not exclusively) used in explosive atmospheres, it’s crucial that cable glands are approved for the selected type of cable and the protection concepts meet the requirements of the equipment to which they are attached.

Whether for an explosive environment or an industrial one, you need the assurance that the cable glands you commission will do what they are built to do – protect and last. Without them, entire projects can collapse.

Why you can trust Peppers

Despite opportunities arising to expand into other areas, we have always been determined to be the definitive cable gland supplier, concentrating on the design and manufacture of what are widely regarded as the best cable glands on the market. We understand our market and we know what our customers need to ensure the success of their projects – our dedication to quality and innovation means our cable glands are the absolute best fit for purpose product available today.

www.peppers.co.uk

After fifty years of business, people often look back at the history, at old pictures, brochures and reports. But in REMBE's anniversary year things are different, because here (today just as 50 years ago) it is the people who shape the corporate spirit and make REMBE what it is today. Stefan Penno, Chief Executive Officer REMBE GmbH Safety+Control explains: "We trust each other, see the best in people and believe in each person's individual strengths. Because humans are what matters to us."

Bernhard Penno founded the company in 1973 as a sales office for rupture discs – initially as a one-man business in his garage at home. Just a few years later, new rupture disc designs were being manufactured in the company's first production hall. In 2005, Stefan Penno, the son of the company founder, took the reins of the business. Today, REMBE employs 340 "RFM" (REMBE family members) in over 90 countries and with 10 subsidiaries.

To mark its anniversary year, REMBE has come up with some "special activities". This year's celebrations are entirely in keeping with the above motto. They will start with an international REX conference for all RFMs worldwide. After a long break due to the coronavirus pandemic, the conference can finally resume this year at the newly renovated company headquarters in Brilon, Sauerland. This will be followed by the REMBE Family Day, thus ensuring that the anniversary year will be commemorated in style.

REMBE rupture discs and explosion protection systems safeguard processes in all industries around the world and help to save lies every day. REMBE wouldn’t be REMBE if we didn’t think outside the box, says Stefan Penno. With this in mind, several initiatives have been launched in recent years. For example, the RFMs involved in the REMBE green initiative are looking for improvement potential, determining which environmental aspects could be given greater attention to benefit customers and partners, and evaluating ways to ensure natural resources are handled responsibly – and are thus making a small contribution to protecting our planet.

After the REMBE WeltWald was launched last year as a major project of the initiative (8 hectares of forest are being reforested here), there is another campaign for the anniversary. 50 years - 500 trees. For more information: https://rembe-green.de/

BVC Industrial Vacuum Cleaners are now manufactured by Quirepace Ltd in Fareham, Hampshire but the Company has direct roots back to the original British Vacuum Cleaner Company formed by Hubert Cecil Booth in 1902 to exploit his patented innovation, the first mechanically-powered vacuum cleaner.

Today Quirepace specialise in manufacturing heavy duty vacuum cleaners under the BVC brand designed to meet the rigours and harsh environments found in Industry.

Of particular importance, and even more so now where there is increasing focus on fire and explosion risk, is the range of BVC machines designed for ATEX environments. Most of the ATEX rated units in the BVC range are “category 3” products; that is, they are designed to operate in areas where an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur but if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

It is the employers and/or owners’ responsibility to determine the risks within their establishment. DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) places responsibility with EMPLOYERS and the self-employed to carry out a Risk Assessment of their workplace to identify the risks from fires or explosions and to take preventive measures.

One of the preventative measures is to ensure that any vacuum cleaners used for cleaning are appropriately rated for the area they are to be used in. When thinking about Vacuum Cleaners people think about dust, particularly with reference to ATEX zones where dust in the air can under some circumstances become explosive.

Potentially explosive dusts include dusts of organic compounds such as sugar, flour, wood, plastics and also metal dusts such as aluminium and magnesium. It is extremely important, in the context of choosing an Industrial Vacuum Cleaner for an ATEX zone to understand that the ATEX rating of the machine relates solely to the area the machine is to be used in but does not imply any confirmation that the product is suitable to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. For example, some very fine metal dusts have a very low Minimum Ignition Energy and are unsuitable for vacuuming because of the ease with which they will catch fire, even if the ATEX zone has a lower rating.

It is always the employers and/or owners’ responsibility to do their own risk assessments on their products.

Potentially explosive atmospheres are not only created by dusts but also by gases. If a particular operation has ATEX zones that refer to both Gas and Dust hazards, then it is essential that any Industrial Vacuum Cleaner is likewise appropriately rated for both environments.

Whilst ATEX Dust Zone 22 and ATEX Gas Zone 2 both require a category 3 rated machine, the actual specifications of a machine may differ slightly for use in each environment. For example, an ATEX rated vacuum cleaner for Dust Zone 22 may not automatically be suitable for Gas Zone 2. This is because components such as motors and motor starters may require different levels of protection for Gas Zones.

BVC ATEX rated Industrial Vacuum Cleaners are available in various specifications. For example, the popular IV60 1-2kW unit is available rated either for dust only, or in a slightly different configuration for both dust and gas rated ATEX environments. The rating plates and documentation for the machines confirms the specification of each individual unit.

Choosing the correct ATEX rated vacuum cleaner can be a fairly complex decision and Quirepace’s experienced sales team are able to advise the correct machine to supply to meet the ATEX zone requirements that have been determined by the employer and/or owner of the operation.

Quirepace Ltd

023 9260 3700

Quirepace.co.uk

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ATEX Certification (EU)

ATEX is one of the CE Marking Directives required for placing products on the European market when the product is designed to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. The use of harmonized European standards (prefixed ‘EN’) gives the manufacturer the “presumption of conformity” to the “Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs)” and this is the basis on which to issue a declaration of compliance for the ATEX Directive. It is also possible to certify directly against the Essential Health and Safety Requirements without applying a Standard, but this is a far more difficult route and requires a high degree of specialist knowledge. The ATEX Directive requires that Zone 0 and Zone 1 electrical equipment (and zone 0 non-electrical equipment) has the following documents for approval.

• An ATEX EC Type Exam Certificate issued by a Notified Body
• An ATEX Quality Module issued by a Notified Body
• A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and Technical File stating compliance with all applicable Directives. The DoC is issued by the manufacturer.

For certain types of equipment (non-electrical for Zone 1 or both electrical and non-electrical for Zone 2), it is possible to self-certify, although in many cases buyers will request some form of 3^rd party certification. For non-electrical equipment designed for Zone 1 use, self-certification can be carried out, but the technical file generated must be lodged with a Notified Body.

UKCA ‘EX’ Certification (UK)

UKCA ‘EX’ Certication is essentially the same as ATEX with the major difference that the products are certified to ‘UK Designated Standards’ by a UK Government Appointed Body for the ‘EPS Regulations’ (Equipment and Protective Systems).

The IECEx Scheme (Global)

The IECEx Scheme is a voluntary Certification Body Scheme for Ex equipment and assemblies used in potentially explosive atmospheres. It consists of three elements, all issued by an IECEx Scheme Certification Body (ExCB):

• IECEx Test Report (ExTR), which documents the evaluation and testing of the subject equipment, performed to the applicable IEC Series Standards
• IECEx Quality Assessment Report (ExQAR), which documents the suitability of the manufacturer’s QA system.
• IECEx Certificate of Conformity (IECEx CoC), which can be issued to a manufacturer holding an ExTR and an applicable ExQAR. This is published ‘on-line’ and is live.

Unlike ATEX and UKCA ‘Ex’ there is no route for self-certification. Unlike ATEX and UKCA there is also no legal requirement to have IECEx Certified Equipment, but it is often a requirement of end users (who prefer that all approval is from a highly regulated 3^rd party) and by other Certification Bodies around the world who use the IECEX Test Report as the basis for local certication. IECEX is the ‘passport’ for Global ‘Ex’ Approval and access to world markets.

Sean Clarke CEng MSc FIET is the Managing Director of ExVeritas who a UKCA Approved ‘Ex’ Body, an ATEX Notified Body and IECEx Test and Certification Body. www.exveritas.com for on-line ATEX and UKCA Technical File Lodging

The priority for managers in charge of safety is the health and wellbeing of their employees. But, when those leaders try to implement transformational measures, getting approval for the budget needed to guarantee and improve the safety levels can prove an obstacle.

Demonstrating the value of safety in an organisation is not easy. That’s why Antonio Pereira, from MSA Safety, has prepared five tips for creating a business case that can effect change and help drive your safety transformation strategies forward.

Tip one: Share the mission

A shared safety mission does several things: It articulates the safety goals and values that should resonate throughout the company, unites workers and managers, and provides a single purpose that engages all employees. It also supplies some direction for creating a safety management system. In short, it drives safety at a company and is the first step toward creating a safe culture.

A shared mission is an effective way to bring people together. The mission should be simple, straightforward, and meaningful.

Fortunately, with safety, the mission is clear: “reduce risk and boost productivity.”

When presenting your case in support of a transformational safety strategy, make sure everyone stays focused on the mission. Repeat it often, so that others will be able to repeat it, too.

Tip two: Define and communicate the goal

If you’ve ever heard the expression, “Let’s get everyone on the same page,” then you know exactly what this tip is about. As the safety professional, it’s your job to ensure that everyone understands what you’re asking for. Keep in mind that your goal is more defined than your mission. A goal is a clear and tangible achievement that supports the mission.

Productivity experts suggest using SMART goals in which the goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound. The point here is to encourage you to take the time to think through what you’re asking for and why, then write it out in a format that’s easily understood.

Smart Goal Example: Connected Safety Program, moving to the Altair io™ 4

• Specific: We want to reduce the time spent with gas detection management, and achieve compliance by using a connected gas detectors.
• Measurable: We are aiming for a specific reduction in time spent completing administrative tasks.
• Attainable: Using paper and spreadsheets to manage our gas-detection fleet, wastes a certain number of hours per week. Automating the process will save us time and increase compliance from our workers.
• Relevant: Keeping workers safe and our organisation compliant is key to maintaining safe, productive operations and ensuring profitability. Understand when a device is turned on, turned off – and everything in between.
• Time-bound: We’ll see results almost immediately and achieve our measurable goal by the end of the quarter.

Tip three: Offer insight

Part of building a business case for change is to inspire a mindset shift in those who are potential barriers to safety transformation. Position your case for success by educating others, giving them information about how what you’re asking for aligns with both the safety mission and overall organisational objectives.

One way to help gatekeepers understand and accept the change is by sharing success stories with them. Learning of others’ success is both inspiring and informative. More importantly, it adds evidence that supports your case and, ultimately, informs the business decision.

Tip four: Demonstrate the benefits

Of all the tips, perhaps this is the most crucial. It’s also the most challenging. Why? Because at the heart of this tip is an idea that is likely the complete opposite of the gatekeeper’s idea about expenditures:

This is an investment, not an expense.

Such an investment is a business decision not a personal one, so it’s up to you to substantiate the proposal by providing appropriate facts and figures. This is the time to talk about ROI considerations, with respect to both productivity and cost.

Remember, your goal is to overcome the objection about spending time and money. So, here’s an example of how to pivot the discussion from expenditure to investment using elements of The MSA Connected Work Platform, driven by the ALTAIR io 4 Gas Detection Wearable.

• MSA’s ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector have been tested under the harshest conditions. Featuring military-grade durability and an IP68 dust and water rating, the detectors can also survive a 25-foot drop. This means you can be confident you’ll avoid costly down times with devices out of action.
• Signing-out devices using manual processes or clipboard sign-ins is a time-consuming and logistically difficult task. Assigning the Altair io 4, however, is as simple as a “tap” with the associated id Tag, while returning them happens with just a “click” into the Altair io Charge. This frees up worker time for greater productivity while also helping to ensure compliance and accountability.
• MSA+ is a complete subscription programme, including hardware and software solutions. It removes upfront capital expenditure, and eliminates the depreciation of your safety asset, with subscribers able to upgrade to the latest technology as soon as it becomes available.
• MSA’s Grid software helps to save time spent managing the gas detection fleet – with Altair io 4 devices updating to the latest firmware over-the-air, minimising servicing time.
• The ALTAIR io Dock streamlines your calibration process, starting automatically when you insert the Altair io 4 device and automatically logging the test for compliance management.
• XCELL® SENSORS use 50% less gas than the industry average during calibration and bump testing. The breakthrough sensor design enables faster response and shorter span calibrations. Plus, it’s rated to last.

Tip five: Invest in future-forward solutions

We live in a connected world and now safety has the technology that can connect workers, worksites, and workflows. Connectivity with an MSA+ subscription enables remote live monitoring, allowing managers to see all active users at any given time, including their live location gas exposures and man down alarms.

The move to an MSA+ subscription provides the ability to act at speed, reducing workplace injuries and providing actionable data, so you can have a better, more proactive control of your detection programme.

Build Your Case for a Connected Work Platform

Having a proven plan of action based on these five tips can help you prepare for and present your case most effectively. Because you probably want to garner buy-in from others, it’s important that you prepare them for transformation by taking them on the journey to it.

You know – and they soon will, too – that creating a connected safety program is not only the practical thing to do, it’s how you’ll help advance the safety mission and support organisational objectives.

If you need additional insight or help in creating a stronger, proactive culture of safety and performance, learn more about MSA Connected Work Platform here or request a call back from our specialists here.

The priority for managers in charge of safety is the health and wellbeing of their employees. But, when those leaders try to implement transformational measures, getting approval for the budget needed to guarantee and improve the safety levels can prove an obstacle.

Demonstrating the value of safety in an organisation is not easy. That’s why Antonio Pereira, from MSA Safety, has prepared five tips for creating a business case that can effect change and help drive your safety transformation strategies forward.

Tip one: Share the mission

A shared safety mission does several things: It articulates the safety goals and values that should resonate throughout the company, unites workers and managers, and provides a single purpose that engages all employees. It also supplies some direction for creating a safety management system. In short, it drives safety at a company and is the first step toward creating a safe culture.

A shared mission is an effective way to bring people together. The mission should be simple, straightforward, and meaningful.

Fortunately, with safety, the mission is clear: “reduce risk and boost productivity.”

When presenting your case in support of a transformational safety strategy, make sure everyone stays focused on the mission. Repeat it often, so that others will be able to repeat it, too.

Tip two: Define and communicate the goal

If you’ve ever heard the expression, “Let’s get everyone on the same page,” then you know exactly what this tip is about. As the safety professional, it’s your job to ensure that everyone understands what you’re asking for. Keep in mind that your goal is more defined than your mission. A goal is a clear and tangible achievement that supports the mission.

Productivity experts suggest using SMART goals in which the goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound. The point here is to encourage you to take the time to think through what you’re asking for and why, then write it out in a format that’s easily understood.

Smart Goal Example: Connected Safety Program, moving to the Altair io™ 4

• Specific: We want to reduce the time spent with gas detection management, and achieve compliance by using a connected gas detectors.
• Measurable: We are aiming for a specific reduction in time spent completing administrative tasks.
• Attainable: Using paper and spreadsheets to manage our gas-detection fleet, wastes a certain number of hours per week. Automating the process will save us time and increase compliance from our workers.
• Relevant: Keeping workers safe and our organisation compliant is key to maintaining safe, productive operations and ensuring profitability. Understand when a device is turned on, turned off – and everything in between.
• Time-bound: We’ll see results almost immediately and achieve our measurable goal by the end of the quarter.

Tip three: Offer insight

Part of building a business case for change is to inspire a mindset shift in those who are potential barriers to safety transformation. Position your case for success by educating others, giving them information about how what you’re asking for aligns with both the safety mission and overall organisational objectives.

One way to help gatekeepers understand and accept the change is by sharing success stories with them. Learning of others’ success is both inspiring and informative. More importantly, it adds evidence that supports your case and, ultimately, informs the business decision.

Tip four: Demonstrate the benefits

Of all the tips, perhaps this is the most crucial. It’s also the most challenging. Why? Because at the heart of this tip is an idea that is likely the complete opposite of the gatekeeper’s idea about expenditures:

This is an investment, not an expense.

Such an investment is a business decision not a personal one, so it’s up to you to substantiate the proposal by providing appropriate facts and figures. This is the time to talk about ROI considerations, with respect to both productivity and cost.

Remember, your goal is to overcome the objection about spending time and money. So, here’s an example of how to pivot the discussion from expenditure to investment using elements of The MSA Connected Work Platform, driven by the ALTAIR io 4 Gas Detection Wearable.

• MSA’s ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector have been tested under the harshest conditions. Featuring military-grade durability and an IP68 dust and water rating, the detectors can also survive a 25-foot drop. This means you can be confident you’ll avoid costly down times with devices out of action.
• Signing-out devices using manual processes or clipboard sign-ins is a time-consuming and logistically difficult task. Assigning the Altair io 4, however, is as simple as a “tap” with the associated id Tag, while returning them happens with just a “click” into the Altair io Charge. This frees up worker time for greater productivity while also helping to ensure compliance and accountability.
• MSA+ is a complete subscription programme, including hardware and software solutions. It removes upfront capital expenditure, and eliminates the depreciation of your safety asset, with subscribers able to upgrade to the latest technology as soon as it becomes available.
• MSA’s Grid software helps to save time spent managing the gas detection fleet – with Altair io 4 devices updating to the latest firmware over-the-air, minimising servicing time.
• The ALTAIR io Dock streamlines your calibration process, starting automatically when you insert the Altair io 4 device and automatically logging the test for compliance management.
• XCELL® SENSORS use 50% less gas than the industry average during calibration and bump testing. The breakthrough sensor design enables faster response and shorter span calibrations. Plus, it’s rated to last.

Tip five: Invest in future-forward solutions

We live in a connected world and now safety has the technology that can connect workers, worksites, and workflows. Connectivity with an MSA+ subscription enables remote live monitoring, allowing managers to see all active users at any given time, including their live location gas exposures and man down alarms.

The move to an MSA+ subscription provides the ability to act at speed, reducing workplace injuries and providing actionable data, so you can have a better, more proactive control of your detection programme.

Build Your Case for a Connected Work Platform

Having a proven plan of action based on these five tips can help you prepare for and present your case most effectively. Because you probably want to garner buy-in from others, it’s important that you prepare them for transformation by taking them on the journey to it.

You know – and they soon will, too – that creating a connected safety program is not only the practical thing to do, it’s how you’ll help advance the safety mission and support organisational objectives.

If you need additional insight or help in creating a stronger, proactive culture of safety and performance, learn more about MSA Connected Work Platform here or request a call back from our specialists here.

• Esper’s Android device management and software deployment solution strengthens RugGear’s devices for the enterprise
• This collaboration will empower customers with full control to remotely manage, monitor, control, lockdown, debug, and update their rugged devices with ease, giving them the confidence to scale their business

Lauda-Koenigshofen, March 16, 2023 - RugGear®, a leading international developer and manufacturer of rugged mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets designed for professional use in extreme safety and working conditions, is teaming up with Esper, the only platform for predictable software deployment and device management, to provide total device control solutions to customers in the Android rugged device market. This collaboration will provide enterprises with the confidence to manage large fleets of devices with a focus on their critical business applications, leaving the device infrastructure and management to RugGear and Esper.

The RugGear mobile devices can be customized to meet the needs of daily work. Together with Esper's device management solutions, customer needs can now be met even more concretely for the best possible user experience.

This partnership will focus on industries like logistics, transportation, telecom, healthcare, and mining segments.  Features like zero-touch provisioning dramatically decrease device setup times, while remote monitoring and scheduled software rollouts improve device fleet visibility, health, and security. Geofencing and device lockdown ensure tamper-free, secure devices. RugGear has been part of the Google zero-touch enrollment program since August 2019. Thanks to this program, RugGear devices can be easily deployed on corporate networks. With a registered customer account, the customer's IT department can set up the devices automatically with the help of the Esper device manager. All top models (RG530, RG540, RG655, RG725 and RG750) are zero-touch compatible.

“With Esper, we have a competent partner on board to offer our industrial customers tailor-made solutions from a single source. We are pleased to be able to help our customers make the enrolment process even more cost- and time-effective”, said Martin Haaf, CEO RugGear GmbH.

“We are excited to partner with RugGear to help enterprises scale the deployment and management of rugged devices in global markets. Our collaboration will enable various logistics and transportation customers to minimize downtime, accelerating their digital transformation,” commented Shiv Sundar, Esper co-founder, and COO.

About RugGear®
RugGear® is a leading international developer and manufacturer of rugged mobile phones, smartphones and tablets designed for professional use in extreme safety and working conditions, especially in the Mission Critical area. The mobile devices are developed and designed by specialists in Germany (Lauda-Koenigshofen), where RugGear GmbH is also based. RugGear's high-end devices support all types of mobile voice and data communication, LTE/private LTE, Google Chrome Enterprise, eMBMS (evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) and especially the Mission Critical application Push-to-Talk-over-Cellular (POC or PTToC), which is increasingly replacing traditional PTT solutions such as TETRA in Europe or iDEN in the USA and other regions of the world. RugGear's mobile devices are suitable for a wide range of industrial and outdoor applications and meet the most important standards (IP67/68/69, MIL-STD-810G/H, waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, etc.). RugGear was founded in 2006 by the president of the company Maverick Chen and is present in Europe, USA, Middle East, Australia and Asia. Since early 2020, Maverick Chen has further intensified the existing partnership with Martin Haaf, CEO of the German company i.safe MOBILE from Lauda-Koenigshofen. Together, the two manufacturers thus cover the three most important areas of application for the professional use of mobile devices in a leading global position: 

• Mobile device providers for PTT (push-to-talk)/POC (push-to-talk-over-cellular) and mission critical applications
• Provider of complete solutions, for example for MDM (Mobile Device Management), PTT, MCPTT and POC (in cooperation with software partners)
• Mobile device supplier for hazardous areas of zones 1/21 and 2/22 (intrinsically safe devices).

RugGear cooperates globally with leading mobile equipment suppliers and operators as well as solution and integration providers to provide industrial customers with tailor-made solutions from a single source.

For more information on RugGear®, please click here:
RugGear® on the net: www.ruggear.com
RugGear® on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ruggearglobal/
RugGear® on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RugGear
RugGear® on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/youtube-ruggear

Sentric Safety Group, a company that manufactures and distributes leading safety solutions, announces today it has acquired Zonegreen.

Headquartered in Sheffield, Zonegreen develops technologies, software and services that make working in rail depots safer and more efficient. Controlled remotely, these technologies protect lives by ensuring vehicles don’t move unless it is safe to do so. Zonegreen’s products are used by rail customers across the UK, Ireland and Australia.

"Sentric has a proven track record in the rail safety space in France. The acquisition of Zonegreen will enable us to offer a complete range of connected solutions to keep rail maintenance workers safe," said Aurelie Paul, General Manager, Sentric. “Our companies’ technologies are solving real problems every day as new ways of travelling continue to evolve. Sentric’s investment not only accelerates its ambition for international growth, it also gives the company long-term support to create the safest environment for employees when working in rail depots.”

As a highly sustainable mode of transport, rail makes a notable contribution to reducing carbon emissions and achieving climate objectives. With its growth, there is a growing demand for innovative technologies which support the safety, reliability and efficiency of rail networks and their workers.

• Depot Personnel Protection System (DPPS^TM):  Allows the safe and efficient movement of vehicles in and around rail maintenance depots. The innovative technology safeguards workers by using approved powered derailers, linked to road end panels. Staff create safe zones in which to work in using RFID tags and access permission for trains will then only be given if the road is clear.
• Depot Manager: SCADA software provides a real time graphical overview of the status of the DPPS^TM, and records all safety operations, providing full traceability.

• Points Converter: allows the automation and remote operation of any traditional manual points/switches and rail road crossings.

“Joining Sentric will give us new opportunities to develop our technology offerings and expand our international reach, to protect even more rail workers, and to further increase safety, productivity and reliability for rail network operators,” Gemma Houghton, Head of Sales, Zonegreen.

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