Software tool to promote health & safety on mines

Mine ventilation and refrigeration specialist BBE recently launched its software package designed to streamline ventilation and occupational hygiene reporting functions.

The VUMA HUB software system was specifically developed for underground mines and uses industry-approved standards, stores information digitally and provides customised data analysis to promote a safe and healthy working environment, says BBE director Christo Visagie.

“Measured environmental conditions are logged and stored in HUB. This information is constantly analysed using specified legal criteria supplied by both the mines and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and will automatically flag unsafe working environments or working conditions,” he explains.

“When conditions are flagged, the information is passed through the workflow and the issue will be attended to by ventilation and refrigeration engineers. The information remains client-owned and is securely stored to ensure that the data cannot be tampered with.”

The data is also readily available for manual analysis or to source historical information. It can also be used as a secure and accurate source should an investigation be conducted.

The software was developed in-house in conjunction with the company’s ventilation and occupational hygiene consultants and based on its experience within underground mining environments.

“HUB algorithms are based on multi commodity industry standards, and guidelines set out by the DMRE are used as design criteria and legal limits. These are programmed into the software and used to flag certain scenarios,” explains Visagie.

He notes that BBE completed a proof-of-concept project at a South African mining company shaft, after which it was rolled out at three of the mining company’s shafts where it is currently running.

“A key benefit of using HUB is that the system enables industry standards to be used throughout the mining company’s various shafts or mining operations. Ultimately, it’s one set of standards that are implemented, which all companies are familiar with. This minimises the need for training and maintenance of ventilation and occupational hygiene systems,” he adds.

Information obtained from measured environmental conditions is logged and stored in HUB and real-time data from underground environments can be compared to historical data, with discrepancies flagged on the live system.

“This promotes the adherence to standards and discipline among the ventilation specialists or engineers at the mines. Clients benefit from a safe, easy-to-use system to streamline ventilation and occupational hygiene reporting functions,” concludes Visagie.