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Sep 12, 2023

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Honeywell believes zero harm to workers should not be the goal of a mining operation, but the minimum safety standard. According to Safe Work Australia, the country’s resources sector has seen a

Honeywell believes zero harm to workers should not be the goal of a mining operation, but the minimum safety standard.

According to Safe Work Australia, the country’s resources sector has seen a substantial reduction in the number of deaths and injuries caused by incidents on mining operations in recent years.

However, the mining industry still has one of the highest rates of fatalities of any sector in Australia, with an average of nine per year.

To work towards a zero-harm safety standard, mining operations have turned to technological advances to identify and eliminate hazards, while also taking the time to understand possible risks and dangers on a deeper level.

A key method via which hazards and risks can be reduced on a mine site is the use of effective personal protective equipment (PPE), an area in which Honeywell is a leading global manufacturer.

“We want to build a culture of safety with our customers, and in doing so support them in minimising the risk of accidents and injuries, as well as make workplaces safer and more productive,” Honeywell’s mining national business manager in Australia Phil Cartwright told Safe to Work. “For decades, we’ve created comprehensive safety solutions designed to protect the lives of 500 million workers every day.

“As environments change and new worker needs emerge, Honeywell continues to innovate for a safer future.

“In this future, safety solutions adapt to changing needs and environments. They increase productivity and efficiency, instead of getting in the way. And above all, they don’t stop working until the last worker clocks out.”

Built for demanding industries such as mining, Honeywell’s comprehensive PPE solutions have been developed with the resources industry – and its busy work sites – firmly in mind.

“Honeywell is the only manufacturer that supplies a range of PPE that provides a full head-to-toe solution,” Cartwright said.

“This means everything from head, eye and face protection to hearing and respiratory protection, body and fall protection, hand protection and, of course, footwear.”

Safe to Work took a closer look at the PPE range Honeywell offers to support the resources industry.

From great heights

Honeywell’s Miller Aircore Harness is a lightweight full-body unit featuring a breathable, open-core padding technology that provides optimal air flow and reduces heat and moisture entrapment to keep mine workers cooler and drier.

Given PPE is often worn over the top of other clothing, it is essential that fall protection equipment is lightweight, comfortable and breathable.

Breathe easier

The significant risks posed by dust on a mine site are well established and understood.

Honeywell’s respiratory protection range is designed to protect workers from breathing in dust and chemicals without compromising on performance.

The Honeywell North 7600 features high-class comfort and a polycarbonate lens with 200° field of vision. The North 7700 series is the company’s lightest silicone half mask that is made with 100 per cent medical-grade silicone and for premium fit and comfort.

Workers looking for a disposable particulate respirator can find their answer in the Honeywell H801 Plus Particulate Respirator, which features a large breathing chamber to accelerate airflow for easier breathing.

A helping hand (and wrist)

Safe Work Australia has reported that hand and wrist-related injuries are the most common kind of injury on a mine site. To combat this issue, Honeywell created its Rig Dog gloves, which feature an ergonomic design and CoreNest technology that, according to the company, offers enhanced impact protection and energy absorption on the back of the hand without compromising comfort.

Mine workers wearing comfortable gloves is essential in preventing injuries involving abrasions, cuts and lacerations, which can happen from handling tools, moving materials, or fixing equipment.

Sounds good

As it is one of the five senses, safeguarding hearing is vital on a mine site.

A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene found that approximately 90 per cent of miners have developed a hearing impairment by the time they are 50 years old. And with mining such a large employer, that’s a lot of people experiencing work-related hearing issues.

To help protect miners against hazardous noise, Honeywell has created its VeriShield 100 Series Passive Earmuffs to keep ears safe and comfortable all day.

The earmuffs feature wider cup openings to accommodate larger ears or hearing aids, in addition to a lightweight cushioned headband and memory foam ear cushions for even greater ease.

From the neck up

With so many moving parts across a mine site, workers must wear eye and face protection when they can be exposed to risk such as flying particles, molten metal and liquid chemicals, to name a few.

Standard lenses can fog up when they are worn in hot and humid environments, but Honeywell’s DuraMaxx goggles feature anti-fog lens coating lenses that are designed to make it easier to see despite any sticky environments.

These lenses can be worn over most prescription glasses and with respirator half-masks.

Moving away from the eyes, Honeywell’s hard hats help to protect the head from falling objects, collision impact and debris.

Available in a variety of styles, colours and materials, the sleek and lightweight ABS vented hard hat is ideal for mining sites, and easily integrates with Honeywell face shields and eyewear. An unvented version is also available.

Honeywell’s Seethru polycarbonate hard hat range is UV400-rated for outdoor use to protect miners from harmful UV exposure.

On the body

A miner wearing the right coveralls can ensure they are protected from the heat, chemicals and mechanical hazards, or extreme weather conditions through shielding their body from the environment.

Honeywell’s Spacel C4 and Spacel C Medium are lightweight and comfortable single-use protective coveralls that offer total body protection. The Spacel C4 coverall offers type 4B, 5 and 6 chemical protection to guard against spray and particles, while the Spacel C Medium offers Type 3B, 4, 5 and 6 chemical protection to safeguard against liquid in the form of jets, sprays and particles.

On the ground

It might sound obvious, but it’s vital for a miner’s feet to be protected from the industry’s inherently tough working and environmental conditions. Thankfully, Honeywell offers a wide-ranging collection of mining boots from Oliver Footwear.

The Oliver 65 series, which includes a range of 100 per cent waterproof full grain leather boots, was specifically designed to support harsh and demanding work environments within industries such as mining.

The Oliver 65-791 black laced-in zip mining boot was specifically developed to address underground mining needs, offering waterproof protection for long periods in underground drilling environments.

As environments, technology and workplace safety needs change, Honeywell will continue to innovate its PPE solutions for safer mine sites.

“When customers are considering their PPE requirements, their safety agenda includes everything from apparel to footwear, to the PPE requirements of the job functions that they manage,” Cartwright said.

“Honeywell’s PPE solutions and safety portfolio is well aligned to support our customers with this agenda.”

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