HEALTH AND SAFETY
Fire safety- with the right equipment for the right environment Fire is a material operational and safety risk across South Africa’s mining sector. The country’s latest mandatory fire-prevention guideline recorded 584 reported mine-fire incidents between 2019 and 2023, with mobile machinery, conveyor belts, electrical infrastructure, hot work and spontaneous combustion among the identified causes. F or mining companies, the challenge is not simply to purchase 'flameproof' equipment, but to ensure that every item is selected, certified, operated and maintained for the exact environment in which it will work.
Refilwe Molapo, General Manager of Toyota Material Handling (TMH), a division of CFAO Equipment, says every mine presents different risks. “Explosions are typically caused by the accumulation of flammable gases and/or combustible dust that, when mixed with air and exposed to an ignition source, ignite.” Across both underground and surface operations, fire risks can originate from fuel, lubricants, electrical faults, hot engine and exhaust surfaces, welding, cutting, conveyor systems and mobile machinery. Underground incidents are particularly dangerous because smoke and toxic fumes accumulate in confined spaces where ventilation and escape routes may be limited. He stresses that mines are not the only operations that benefit from explosion- and fire-proof forklifts. “Industries that deal in flammable items such as the FMCG industry and
practice. It must also be certified for the exact hazardous-area classification in which it will operate.” Safety and productivity should not be viewed as competing priorities. Equipment failures, fires and unplanned shutdowns place people at risk while disrupting production, increasing costs and affecting customer service. The goal is to engineer risk out of operations without compromising performance. “The equipment must meet hazardous-area requirements while still delivering the required lifting capacity, safe operation, good visibility and reliable performance throughout its duty cycle,” says Molapo. Beyond explosion protection, CFAO
manufacturers and distributors of fragrances, for example, also need to consider safe equipment.” Ernest Makhoshi, Utilities Specialist, Taste
Equipment offers technologies designed to improve safety and operational visibility. Toyota’s System of Active Stability
& Wellbeing at Givaudan says the TMH equipment – notably the ATEX stacker – the company uses demonstrates excellent compliance with safety standards and regulations, particularly those applicable to the plant, where flammable materials are handled. “We are especially impressed with the machine’s safety features and interlock systems, which
helps manage stability risks on applicable models, while Toyota I_Site provides fleet data to support equipment utilisation, maintenance planning and downtime management. Molapo notes that technology is most effective when supported by proper operator training and sound equipment selection. Customer expectations
Safety and productivity should not be viewed as competing priorities. Equipment failures, fires and unplanned shutdowns place people at risk while disrupting production, increasing costs and affecting customer service. The goal is to engineer risk out of operations without compromising performance.
provide a high level of protection and contribute significantly to maintaining a safe working environment.” Molapo says while specialised forklifts reduce the likelihood of becoming an ignition source by controlling hazards such as sparks, static electricity, electrical faults, hot surfaces and fuel-system risks, the equipment alone cannot eliminate risk. “A forklift must form part of a broader safety system that includes ventilation, gas monitoring, dust control, fire detection, emergency preparedness, competent operators and mine-specific codes of
have also evolved. Rather than buying standalone equipment, mining companies increasingly seek complete operating solutions that address maintenance, technical support, data availability and total lifecycle costs. Molapo notes that in higher-risk applications, documentation and traceability are becoming increasingly important. “Customers need clarity on hazardous-area classification, equipment
34 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | OCTOBER 2026
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