Safety of plant, equipment + people: Products + services
Ergonomic design in digital microscopy
called Luxolamps, operators reported high rates of eyestrain, headaches, and fatigue. After introducing simple ergonomic interventions, eyestrain dropped by 36%, headaches by 45%, and extreme fatigue by 28%. Research shows that 78% of conventional microscope users experience neck strain from holding a slight head incline for prolonged periods. Over time, these awkward postures can lead to musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and sometimes lasting injury. Optical microscopes, although familiar and relatively affordable,
The global digital microscope market valued at almost $6 billion in 2024, is expected to double to over $12 billion by 2034. Much of this growth is being driven by the electronics sector, where components from the tiny chips inside smartphones, digital equipment and automated systems to those that ensure medical implants are defect-free, continue to increase in complexity but shrink in size to levels once thought impossible. Magnification technology has kept pace with demand, but the wellbeing of the people behind the microscopes is often overlooked. Aiming for flawless inspection and assembly, technicians spend long hours in intense focus, which can lead to chronic strain, fatigue, and costly mistakes. “Traditional microscopes force people into awkward positions, hunched over and straining their eyes, necks, and backs for hours at a time. This can take a toll on their health and affect the quality of their work. In electronics manufacturing the risks extend beyond physical health. Strained staff are more prone to errors, which can compromise product integrity and In turn business reputation. Even the smallest error can result in recalls,” says Arno van der Walt, Business Development Engineer at TANDM, the South African distributor of TAGARNO digital microscopes. Ergonomics, the science of designing tools and workplaces to fit the user and support users’ wellbeing, is proving especially valuable in digital microscopy. The link between ergonomics and sustained productivity, accuracy, and long-term business success is well-established. In a study of inspectors using illuminated magnifiers Fire-fighting equipment you can count on When a fire breaks out, there is no time for hesitation. You need equipment you can trust and a company you can depend on. For more than three decades, SafeQuip has been a leading manufacturer and distributor of SABS-approved firefighting equipment across the African continent. SafeQuip offers a range of fire safety solutions and maintains an uncompromising approach to quality. It provides fire-fighting equipment including extinguishers, hose reels, hydrants, pumps, nozzles, signage, suppression systems, and lay-flat hoses, as well as tools specifically designed for forestry and farming applications. The range is designed to cover the requirements of heavy industry and commercial complexes, as well as smaller private properties. Every product, whether produced internally or sourced through established partners, is supplied in accordance with strict safety standards and inspected before it leaves the warehouse. SafeQuip has a presence across South Africa with branches in Cape Town, Gauteng, Durban and Gqeberha. Through this network, support is consistently available to clients wherever they are located. The company’s SABS accreditation and BSI Kitemark approval as well as its links with industry organisations underline its commitment to
are generally not ergonomically designed. Their fixed design forces users into static, forward-leaning positions, preventing neutral spine alignment and limiting accessibility to controls. The resulting strain can lead to lower productivity, higher absenteeism, and compromised work quality. By contrast, digital microscopes like those from TAGARNO are designed with people in mind. Adjustable setups promote
Ergonomically designed digital microscopes offer adjustable setups to support healthy working conditions.
neutral posture, and the ability to capture, share, and document images in real time reduces workload and enhances collaboration, an advantage in precision-focused industries. The systems also allow users to inspect components on a large 50-inch 4K monitor, reducing eye and back strain and supporting focus and precision. This semi-automated process lowers the risk of human error by up to 50%, and increases throughput, making it useful in electronics, food production, production of medical devices, and in forensics.
For more information visit: www.tandm.co.za
recognised standards. In recent years, SafeQuip has also turned its attention to addressing the risks increasingly presented by lithium-ion battery fires. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used today because of their high energy density, small size, and rechargeable design, but
lithium-ion batteries introduce particular fire challenges, quite different from those raised by familiar flammable materials. Once a lithium-ion battery overheats, it can trigger a ‘thermal runaway’, where heat and pressure rapidly escalate. Traditional fire extinguishers are often ineffective in these cases, which is why SafeQuip
SafeQuip offers a range of SABS-approved fire-fighting equipment.
introduced its Lith-Ex range, the only certified lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers in South Africa. Lith-Ex extinguishers are designed to smother the heart of a lithium-ion battery fire. They use a specialised extinguishing agent that cools the cells rapidly, absorbs the heat, and prevents re-ignition. This focus on cooling is crucial, because once the runaway reaction stops, the fire can be brought under control safely.
For more information visit: www.safequip.co.za
DEC 2025 - JAN 2026 Electricity + Control
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