HVAC solutions enhance operator safety and compliance Booyco Engineering’s advanced HVAC systems for mining machinery cabs, which include Sy-Klone filtration units, ensure compliance with ISO 23875 by managing air quality, cab pressure and CO 2 levels in harsh environments. These integrated solutions protect operator health, enhance productivity and provide valuable data for mine-wide health and safety compliance.
W ith over 40 years of spe- cialised expertise, Booyco Engineering continues to lead the way in climate control solutions for South Africa’s mining and quarrying sectors, industries where airborne pollutants and extreme thermal conditions pose serious occupational health hazards. Recognised as a key contributor to the South African economy, the mining sector faces mounting pressure to ensure safer, healthier working environments, especially in the face of stringent legislation. The Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), Act 29 of 1996, requires that every mine must be designed, constructed and equipped to facilitate safe and healthy operations. More recently, industry efforts have shifted from reactive to proactive occupa- tional hazard management, with a growing emphasis on monitoring, controlling, and reporting worker exposure to environmen- tal risks. “Mobile machinery operators are often confined to enclosed cabs for extended periods in high-risk areas where dust, heat and toxic gases such as CO 2 can quickly compromise their health,” Brenton Spies, Managing Director of Booyco Engineering, explains. “Addressing this challenge has been the cornerstone of our business for decades, and today we can offer a fully integrated HVAC solution that aligns with international standards, including ISO 23875, to ensure that operators remain protected at all times.” ISO 23875 specifically governs air qual- ity in enclosed cabs, with key performance criteria including the provision of fresh air into the cab, positive pressurisation to pre- vent ingress of contaminated air and effec- tive control and management of CO 2 levels. While these requirements may be straightforward in on-road vehicles, achiev- ing compliance in harsh mining and quarry-
Engineered to meet ISO 23875 requirements, Booyco Engineering’s cab climate control solutions ensure clean, pressurised air and effective CO 2 management for safer operator conditions.
ing environments is far more complex. High levels of airborne particulates, diesel fumes and fluctuating ambient temperatures all add layers of technical difficulty when it comes to implementing effective climate control systems. Booyco Engineering’s HVAC systems are engineered to meet these exacting stan- dards. The company’s bespoke solutions incorporate Sy-Klone filtration technol- ogy to introduce clean filtered air into the system. This air is cooled and distributed into the cab while maintaining the required internal pressure and limiting CO 2 buildup. “We don’t just build air conditioners, we engineer environmental control systems that protect the health of machine op- erators and provide mines with actionable data,” Spies says. “Our integrated system continuously monitors cab air pressure, dust concentrations, CO 2 levels and par- ticulate contaminants, ensuring a controlled internal atmosphere at all times.” Crucially, this real-time data can be
downloaded for analysis, enabling mines to track operator exposure levels, demon- strate compliance with health and safety standards and improve overall risk man- agement. This also supports broader ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) initiatives, which are becoming increas- ingly important for both investors and regulatory authorities. Booyco Engineering’s approach is not only preventative but also performance- driven, enhancing machine uptime, reduc- ing maintenance downtime due to clogged filters or overheating, and ultimately improving productivity across mine and quarry sites. “By aligning our engineering capability with global health and safety benchmarks, we are empowering mines and quarries to be both compliant and competitive. It is about going beyond compliance – safe- guarding people and performance,” Spies concludes. https://www.booyco.co.za
SPECIALISED MOBILE AIR CONDITIONING
011 974 8640
info@booyco.co.za
www.booyco.co.za
101 Newton Road, Meadowdale, Germiston, South Africa
32 ¦ MechChem Africa • January-February 2025
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