Midas Safety, the safety solutions company, has today published its first sustainability report for the year 2021, which documents its progress towards better management of its economic, environmental and social impacts and commitment to “Making Safety Sustainable”.
When the time comes to purchase safety lighting, it is vital to understand the difference between Explosion-Proof (Ex) and Intrinsically Safe (IS) lighting products.
What does Explosion-Proof mean?
EX and IS equipment are both certified by nationally recognized testing laboratories for use in hazardous areas, but there are some key differences. EX lighting is typically built using heavy enclosures made from rugged materials such as stainless steel or aluminum alloys, and EX equipment is designed to both contain an explosion and survive an explosion.
What does Intrinsically Safe mean?
IS equipment is designed to prevent an explosion rather than contain it. It is light weight and limits the energy and temperature in the device to prevent it from producing a spark or reaching a temperature that could ignite a hazardous environment. Using the IS protection method is why these devices require much lower energy levels than EX-protected equipment.
IS and EX are often used interchangeably but are entirely different in how they work. EX contains the explosion and releases the resulting gases from the device at a safe temperature but IS devices reduce the risk of explosion by managing available energy, which eliminates sparks and thermal effects in a hazardous environment before they happen.
Other benefits of IS equipment are cost savings, reduced weight, and portability. The quality of IS equipment is vital in potentially explosive environments, and one must ensure their lighting is manufactured by a reputable company with documented experience in creating IS products. Because of the knowledge, time, and expense required to engineer and produce IS products, a very limited number of companies can achieve this.
Nightstick is a global manufacturer of IS portable LED lighting products that exceed industry standards in performance, quality, and user safety. From penlights to floodlights, above ground or below ground, Nightstick has you covered. Focus on completing your job with confidence, knowing your equipment was designed and rated for the highest safety levels.
When Life Depends on LightTM, choose Nightstick! Visit nightstick.com for more information
DuPont (NYSE:DD) has partnered with a leading UK fashion design university to develop Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) that is fit for today’s changing workforce. The collaboration between Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design and DuPont Personal Protection aims to innovate protective clothing in line with evolving worker needs.
The demographic makeup of the workforce is evolving. The share of European women in employment rose from just over 58% in 2009 to over 64% ten years later,[1] and is continuing to grow[2]. The workforce is also undergoing demographic ageing (1 in 5 workers in the EU are over 55[3]) and is becoming more diverse due to migration[4]. These trends call for a new approach to PPE design that maximises variety, comfort, and ease of use. This is where DuPont’s collaboration with Heriot-Watt University comes in.
“We are committed to continuing innovating our materials and PPE design to address the changing needs of workers around the world,” comments Valérie Pierret, Global Market Development Leader, DuPont Personal Protection. “We decided to join forces with one of the leading fashion and textile research institutions in Europe to bring new, disruptive ideas to our garment design process.”
The project already generated over 500 pages filled with ideas, more than 20 prototype concepts and preliminary evaluations of the performance of the concepts.
The School of Textiles and Design, located in Galashiels (Scotland), is a centre of excellence for fashion, design and textiles that brings together talented students from across the globe.
The partnership between the School and DuPont paved the way for a new research project involving a group of around 20 students and led by industrial and fashion technology expert, Assistant Professor Bruce Munro Roberts.
“Working on this collaborative project with DuPont provided the BSc Fashion Technology students with real life industry experience,” comments Roberts. “The support for the students in terms of learning materials, sample PPE, fabrics and feedback exceeded our expectations, and overall, we were delighted to be working with this international company”.
DuPont provided the team with a thorough overview of its current solutions, relevant market information including voice of customer research findings and key regulatory requirements for PPE. With this information at hand, the students then received a detailed brief, including information on target applications, specific parameters for success, key requirements and desired deliverables.
The students quickly got up to speed with the subject and took inspiration from sportswear and outerwear to develop innovative PPE design solutions.
“I was amazed by the volume and quality of the ideas the students were able to generate,” comments Pierret. “Despite the challenging task they faced, the students were able to think outside of the box while complying with the stringent requirements that PPE typically entails.”
A panel of DuPont experts reviewed the project and selected three concepts, which will be implemented in existing and new product designs. DuPont will continue collaborating with Heriot-Watt University on new design projects to continue innovating PPE.
NIGHTSTICK ,
Life Depends on it
EXPERT CONTENT SERIES
Common Intrinsically Safe questions answered
By Derek Box Marketing Manager of NightStick
click the below for more Common Intrinsically Safe questions answered
Nightstick Expert Content series
Carrying out inspections with testing equipment certified to a suitable protection level is crucial to ensuring the testing operation does not jeopardise the safety of hazardous environments. This article explains the key details to understand in regard to the correct equipment to use, and where.
Zones & Division
Under ATEX, IECEx and UKEX (to name but a few) Hazardous Areas that contain explosive gasses, must be identified and categorised into a Zone according to the severity of risk.
In North America, a two Division system is used,
Equipment
All equipment taken into and used in these hazardous areas must be certified to a suitable equipment protection level (EPL) for that Zone. For example,
This equipment must be designed such that it cannot generate conditions that could ignite the explosive atmosphere, for example, by a spark or a hot surface.
Finally, this equipment must be inspected, tested, and certified safe by a notified body, and the equipment manufacturer must commit to regular audits to ensure product is being built to the certified design. Then the equipment may be marked with a ‘Ex’ Marking label showing its group, protection level and protection concept used.
Protection Concepts
Depending on the type of equipment there are various Protection Concepts used to design a product and obtain an ‘Ex’ certification.
Intrinsically Safe
For equipment that contains electronic components including batteries, the intrinsically safe protection concept ensures that under both normal use and with applied fault conditions, no arc or spark can be generated, and no component can heat up enough to cause an explosion.
Some intrinsically safe design criteria,
In both IECEx, ATEX and North American systems, intrinsically safe equipment can be used in any Zone or Division with the correct equipment protection level.
Explosion-proof or Flame-proof
Explosion-proof is generally a North American term, but it has the same meaning as flame-proof as used by IECEx and ATEX.
This protection concept assumes that the surrounding explosive atmosphere can enter into the equipment enclosure and internal explosions are likely. The equipment enclosures are constructed in such a way that an internal ignition of a flammable atmosphere cannot get outside of the enclosure, thus preventing the ignition of surrounding flammables gasses. The enclosure effectively quenches the flame.
Under the IECEx and ATEX systems, flame-proof equipment cannot be used in Zone 0 areas, regardless of equipment protection level.
In North America, explosion-proof equipment may be used in both Division 1 and Division 2 areas with the correct equipment protection level.
Cygnus 1 Intrinsically Safe Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
Cygnus 1 Intrinsically Safe ultrasonic thickness gauge is the only one of its kind in the world certified to Zone 0 for ATEX, IECEx and UKEx, and Class 1, Division 1 for CSA-US - specifically designed for measuring metal thickness to determine wastage or corrosion in Zone 0, Zone 1 hazardous and potentially explosive environments. This heavy-duty unit boasts an extremely rugged, dust-tight and splash-proof construction with IP65 rating. It is supplied ready to use and comes with two rechargeable battery packs, offering up to 12 hours continuous operation. NO plant shutdown or hot work permit is required.
Like all Cygnus gauges, Cygnus 1 employs the Multiple-Echo technique to read through coatings - giving accurate remaining metal thickness; and guaranteeing crucial savings in time and money as it eliminates the need to remove and re-apply coating. What’s more, it avoids the risk of exposing the material under test to further corrosion.
For more information visit www.cygnus-instruments.com, call +44 (0) 1305 265533 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Quote HES2022 for 10% off a gauge.
It is essential when evaluating a vacuum cleaner for industrial and commercial cleaning tasks that consideration is given to the relevant hazards and that the equipment is therefore specified appropriately.
Hazards from dusts and spilled product fall in to two distinct categories; the first is dusts that are hazardous to health. This category includes obvious products like asbestos and silica dust, but any dust that can be breathed in by the operator or other personnel in the workplace is likely to be hazardous to health to a degree.
The second category is dusts that are hazardous in the environment. The obvious category is dusts that can potentially cause an explosive atmosphere, particularly organic products like sugar and flour. Some products fall in to both categories such as wood dusts, which are both hazardous to health and potentially explosive.
Selecting an appropriate Industrial Vacuum Cleaner requires consideration of the potential hazards which then informs the specification of the machine. BVC – British Vacuum Cleaners is the leading brand of British manufactured industrial vacuum cleaners. Manufactured by Quirepace in Fareham, the range includes both M-Class and H-Class machines for dusts hazardous to health and ATEX rated equipment suitable to operate in potentially explosive environments.
BVC equipment is manufactured to order to match the specific requirements of individual customers. One of the principal considerations is the choice of filter material used for the primary filter. This can be constructed from several different materials including PTFE coated, fire resistant and anti-static materials in addition to standard filter materials. Within machines designed to recover hazardous materials there is always a second stage filter, usually a 3rd stage filter, and sometimes a 4th stage filter, with each stage designed for a specific purpose to ensure the hazardous product is collected safely and that the exhaust air is as clean as possible.
The range of BVC Industrial Vacuum Cleaners extends from 1kW single phase units to 15kW 3 phase machines. In addition Quirepace supply both compressed air and petrol/diesel powered units. The smaller machines in the range; the IV40 and IV60, are both available as several different versions rated as either M/H Class or ATEX, or indeed both, for when dusts are both hazardous and require rating for ATEX rated environments.
The standards that describe the specifications to conform to M/H Class are not appropriate for the largest machines in the BVC range; the Ti60 and Ti80 Centurions. These machines, typically with 4-15kW 3 phase multistage exhausters are available in ATEX versions, and can also be supplied with HEPA filtration to a similar specification to M/H Class units. Again, machines can be configured with filtration against dusts hazardous to health and with specifications suitable for ATEX rated environments.
The choices available to the potential customer are not just related to the specification of the vacuum cleaner itself; the specification of the hoses and tools must also be considered to ensure that they are appropriate for the use the machines will be put to.
Quirepace’s extensive knowledge combined with our experienced sales team, UK manufacture, and local service and spares support, means that BVC UK manufactured Industrial Vacuum Cleaners, with their 5 year parts warranty, deliver excellent durability and value for money in the industrial environment.
In addition to portable equipment, Quirepace also design and install fixed installations for Central Vacuum Cleaning, where multiple outlets are served by central plant through a network of fixed pipework.
Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation meeting.
www.quirepace.co.uk www.bvc.co.uk
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023 9260 3700
For smart devices, use in the oil industry, for example on an offshore oil platform, represents a real endurance test. The Pepperl+Fuchs brand ECOM Instruments subjected the Visor-Ex® 01, the first system consisting of smart glasses and smartphone certified for use in hazardous areas, to this endurance test during its development phase. The practical test reveals great potential for rollout in future applications.
Inhospitable environmental conditions, confined spaces and limited WLAN connectivity – the offshore oil and gas industry with its remote drilling rigs is not the easiest place for digitalization. The stringent requirements for hazardous areas further restrict the choice of smart devices that can be used. This is a reason why, up to now, the staff on oil platforms often works with pen and paper. For example, to provisionally document inspection results before manually transferring the data to digital files at a computer desk. For mobile workers, this practice is associated with traversing long distances along the multilevel oil platforms. So, there is great efficiency potential waiting to be tapped in the oil and gas industry, particularly in the area of knowledge management.
Smart devices for extreme conditions
Another special feature of drilling rigs is that the hazardous areas can change depending on current conditions. So the highest level of protection is essential for the equipment used. Since crews on an oil platform should be kept to a minimum for safety, cost and time reasons, remote support solutions for maintenance and repair are becoming increasingly attractive. Currently, oil and gas Industry is looking for suitable digitization solutions to ensure real-time knowledge transfer for employees and to accelerate the first-time fix. With up to 10,000 maintenance activities per month on the oil platform, streamlined processes are a significant factor to ensure efficiency.
That's why a company in the oil and gas value chain started its search for suitable smart devices to help digitize processes. In addition to remote support, the most important application scenarios included data harvesting, for example during inspections or for the upcoming general storage system overhaul. Potential devices had to meet a number of requirements in order to make it on the shortlist. Wearables were of interest because they allow hands-free work – this is essential, since mobile workers must be able to safely navigate long distances along steep staircases. Global certifications such as ATEX or IECEx are mandatory to enable safe use. In addition, the devices had to be comfortable to wear, i.e. not too heavy or bulky.
Visor-Ex® 01 smart glasses in a practical test
The company also subjected the explosion-proof Visor-Ex® 01 smart glasses from the Pepperl+Fuchs brand ECOM Instruments to an extensive practical test on a drilling rig. The lightweight wearable (180 g) combines high camera quality and reliable communication features in an ergonomic design. Coupled with the intrinsically safe smartphone ECOM Smart-Ex® 02 as computing unit with reliable LTE connectivity and a pocket device with replaceable battery for power supply, the smart glasses become part of an intelligent ecosystem. A total of three integrated and suitably positioned cameras transform the Visor-Ex® 01 smart glasses into a bionic eye, with the help of which remote support workers can observe the situation from a natural perspective and an unrestricted field of vision. All these features help to implement remote support scenarios without unnecessary complication, even under challenging environmental conditions. During the field test, the company was in close contact with the development team at ECOM Instruments, and the feedback contributed the smart glasses development.
Experience and future application scenarios
Visor-Ex® 01 was able to demonstrate its strengths during the field test, particularly in the area of data harvesting. With the help of cameras and image processing, QR codes from devices and machines can be read to gain access to sensor data such as pump pressure. This opens up a wide range of possible IoT application scenarios. But smart glasses are already scoring points because they improve the documentation of incidents not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively. Mobile workers can not only note down the causes of malfunctions, but also enrich the information with photos or video recordings. The digitized information can then also be shared with external support experts or employees on other rigs or at the company's headquarters – for comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge management. They also don't have to rush from the scene back to the computer or decipher handwritten notes.
The freedom of movement and vision that mobile workers gain from using smart glasses proved to be one of the other advantages. Because their hands are free, employees can move safely and freely up and down the stairs of the multilevel rig while fully concentrating on their task. Furthermore, they can make all the configurations they need on the associated smartphone and use the smart glasses as an optional augmented reality layer. When not in use, users can conveniently fold the OLED display of the Visor-Ex® 01 out of their field of vision and gain an unobstructed view of analogue reality.
Overall, the testing company attests the Visor-Ex® 01's versatility and good usability, even at the prototype stage; the intuitive operation was particularly emphasized. In the short term, the most obvious use scenario for the smart glasses is remote support during inspection and maintenance.
The stable LTE connectivity of the ECOM devices facilitates communication with external experts. This point is particularly worth emphasizing, since WLAN cannot be relied upon in every area of a drilling rig. In the medium term, the augmented reality functions could also significantly facilitate the onboarding of new specialists on the drilling rig. During a tour of the most important areas, for example, the relevant information or efficient routes could be shown on the OLED display of the Visor-Ex® 01 – or a connected expert could communicate via the integrated loudspeaker and describe what to look out for in certain areas. The ability to retrieve data quickly and easily from various sources (data harvesting) lays the foundation for sophisticated application scenarios for smart glasses.
Short portrait ECOM Instruments
The Pepperl+Fuchs brand ECOM Instruments is one of the top addresses internationally for holistic solutions for mobile computing and industrial communication in potentially explosive atmospheres. As an industry pioneer, ECOM has played a key role in the development of explosion protection for mobile devices since 1986 and has demonstrated its technological expertise with a large number of innovations. ECOM is the preferred brand for explosion-protected mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, wearables as well as peripherals that meet the highest requirements in industrial use. As part of the Pepperl+Fuchs Group, technology leader for industrial sensor technology and intrinsically safe explosion protection, customers benefit from a seamless portfolio with technologies for conventional and Industry 4.0 applications.
In the five core disciplines of mobile computing, communication, digital products and services, measurement and calibration technology and mobile luminaires, ECOM offers an enormous variety of innovative and field-proven mobile solutions, peripherals, services and intelligent software. Each individual solution combines uncompromising safety with maximum functionality - with all the necessary approvals and certificates for the specific application. Worldwide support, with service centres in Germany, the USA, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, rounds off the range.
For more information on ECOM, please visit: www.ecom-ex.com and www.pepperl-fuchs.com
A SEMI-AUTONOMOUS robot currently being manufactured to inspect pressure vessels will remove the risk to humans while also saving industries millions of pounds each year.
As a health and safety requirement, routine internal pressure vessel inspections must be carried out at plants across the world but the process of closing down production, depressurising the vessel and transporting any fluids or liquids is extremely costly.
In addition, these inspections in hazardous environments are currently carried out by humans and there is a high level of risk involved.
To combat these problems, a remotely controlled robot, Chimera, has been developed by a collaboration of companies across the UK for use across all industries, including oil and gas, nuclear and water.
Chimera is a machine which can withstand hazardous environments and is built in two components to allow a great deal of flexibility so it can climb internal vessel walls, and is attached to a tether to enable the machine to be controlled remotely by an operator from a safe distance.
The robot will have a camera attached to relay live images back to the operator and an ultrasonic phased array inspection system and LIDAR scanner will also be included to create a 3D map of the internal structure to paint an accurate picture of the state of the vessel and identify damage.
A slender ‘snake’ arm can also be attached to carry out any minor repairs needed in such a confined space.
Cumbrian engineering firm Forth has developed the robotic platform of the Chimera project and has successfully trialled the machine to prove that the concept model accurately carries out its functions.
Joshua Oakes, a Project Engineer at Forth, said: “Maintenance inspections need to be carried out routinely on pressure vessels the world over and the process of having to stop production and draining or transporting any fluid or gas is a long, and very expensive, one. On average, it can cost £40,000 per day to shut production down, and these inspections can go on for days.
“It also requires people to conduct the inspections and it can be hard getting in and out of the confined spaces, and very dangerous due to the substances which have previously been stored in the vessels.
“Chimera removes the human element from hazardous environments, and lets the work get carried out from a safe, remote distance.
“The job can also be completed in hours rather than days, with production not having to be stopped at all.”
The Chimera innovation will come equipped with four heavy duty magnets each with a pull of 116kg worth of weight so it can climb interior walls and ceilings.
The machine features a four-track drive and the operator will be able to steer each track individually to ensure it can be easily controlled.
The purpose of it being constructed in two separate parts is twofold: to allow for a greater deal of flexibility and to enable the machine to be dragged back should power be lost in the machine’s motors.
To reduce the risks of losing power, a water cooling system has been included on the machine to keep the electrics cool during use.
The team at Forth has proven the concept of Chimera with partners, and has successfully trialled a working model.
They are now looking to gain financial backers to progress the process of the innovation to the next stage, allowing the machine to be modified and adapted into a commercial piece of equipment.
The Innovate UK-backed programme has also been supported by The Welding Institute, Headlight AI, Sound Mathematics, the University of Nottingham, Rolls Royce, Metallisation and Race.
To contact Forth visit www.forth.uk.com
THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT INTERDEALER BROKER IN THE WORLD WINS THE PRESTIGIOUS ENERGY RISK AWARD AS IT CELEBRATES ITS FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY
LONDON and HOUSTON and NEW YORK, July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading independent interdealer broker OTC Global Holdings (OTCGH) continues to strengthen its worldwide leadership position as it is recognized with Energy Risk's 2022 Broker of the Year award. Over the past 15 years, OTC Global Holdings has transformed into a highly technological brokerage firm focused 100% on global commodity markets, and being named Broker of the Year in 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019, and now 2022. "Since 2007, we've worked hard to compile the best talent in the world and an operation powered by EOXLive, our proprietary technology. Today, one third of worldwide natural gas options, one third of all NAPTHA and one third of global gas-oil futures moves between our shops," said Javier Loya, Chairman and Co-CEO of OTC Global Holdings.
OTCGH has built an unparalleled business model, focusing on three key operational pillars: (1) high quality execution; (2) unrivaled customer service and; (3) innovative technology with EOXLive. Joe Kelly, President and Co-CEO of OTC Global Holdings explained, "We want to provide solutions for all of our clients' trading needs. Having the premiere liquidity pools around the globe and the products, means we have the top experts in that space. In times like these, you can't just look at a screen, you need to have that expertise, you need to have all the information together. So, taking research, analytics, an expert to talk to, market data, unparalleled trade execution, and tying that together with not only a physical product but at the same time giving you the freight along with it, the ship logistics to move it, and your financial hedge, that itself makes it incredibly efficient and very valuable for the trader."
OTCGH's portfolio includes nearly 20 of the industry's most powerful and agile independent brokerages across the world. The company serves more than 500 institutional clients, including over 70 members of the Global Fortune 500, and transacts in hundreds of different commodity delivery points in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. According to Joe Kelly, "commodity markets will continue to experience a radical transformation throughout the next decade due to the global linking of energy markets." "As we move forward into a new era, the time is now to continue to innovate, incorporate new products around renewable energy, and consolidate our leadership position in every commodity market around the world. The time is now to accelerate our journey with technological superiority and high-quality broker execution," he added.
Energy Risk's Broker of the Year award is the most prestigious recognition in the industry, recognizing innovation in trading and risk management, demonstrated prudent energy risk management and expertise and thought leadership in energy derivatives and other risk management tools. "This year's award is very special. It comes on our fifteenth anniversary and it is a testament to our expertise, our leadership and our teamwork. To be recognized as Broker of the Year five times, it takes a team that wants to roll up their sleeves and know that their working for each other and, ultimately, for our clients," concluded Javier Loya.
Visit otcgh.com to learn more or watch a short video here: https://vimeo.com/718433168
For optimal safety during machine maintenance, a large renewable energy producer implemented a worldwide standard approach to Lockout/Tagout. This life-saving procedure enables maintenance specialists to isolate machines from their energy supply while interventions are ongoing.
Challenge: Standard Lockout/Tagout procedures worldwide
The safety of its employees is a high priority at one of the world’s largest renewable energy producers. As a result, company sites in various countries started testing Lockout/Tagout at a site level to neutralise electrical circuits during maintenance interventions.
Lockout/Tagout requires written procedures that enable employees to fully neutralise machines from their energy supply using a blocking mechanism and padlocks. This procedure prevents premature activation of machinery, and any injuries caused by various forms of energy and moving machine parts.
The renewable energy company now wanted to globally standardise its approach to Lockout/Tagout, so that every site in every country could optimally benefit from company best practices, and achieve the highest levels of maintenance safety.
Solutions: 2 practical solution kits to cover worldwide needs
Brady proposed sets of relevant and dedicated Lockout/Tagout tools based on customer needs. Lockout/Tagout specialists
demonstrated and tested all proposed tools at a pilot site, to enable our customer to make a fully informed final selection.
Brady offers several solutions that can block circuit breakers in the off-position while maintenance is ongoing. They prevent shocks and burns caused by re-energising circuits prematurely. They can be locked in place with Brady’s Lockout/Tagout padlocks, including the SafeKey padlock, available in non-conducting nylon versions, complete with colour-coded padlock bodies and matching keys.
To meet customer requirements, 2 practical, standard maintenance safety kits were created containing the selected Lockout/Tagout tools. These kits were made available to customer sites anywhere in the world, to enable streamlined and safer machine interventions.
Results: Highly manageable maintenance safety
The large renewable energy producer’s maintenance specialists now use the same Lockout/Tagout tools in a standardised
approach to maintenance safety. This enables increased safety during maintenance anywhere in the world, fast sharing of best
practices, and a very efficient and centralised management of maintenance safety procedures.
Find out more about Brady’s Lockout/Tagout complete solutions >>
Brady Corporation
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