Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA

BG ProAir tested and chosen as the preferred breathing protection for JSW

SA’s mine rescue teams in Poland

The order comprises 435 Dräger BG ProAir closed-circuit breathing apparatus, making it the largest purchase for mine rescue teams that Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW) has ever made. Before making the purchase decision, the JSW Rescue Services tested the new devices extensively at all mine rescue stations. The customer prioritized a high level of safety combined with high breathing and wearing comfort. The BG ProAir has a positive pressure breathing circuit which ensures that no hazardous substances can enter the closed breathing system. When exhaling, carbon dioxide is removed through a CO2 absorber, and prior to inhalation, the air is cooled and enriched with oxygen at a constant dosage.

Another main reason for JSW’s decision was BG ProAir’s options for connectivity. For example, the respiratory protection system features voice and data communication. An integrated microphone and headphones in the rescuers’ masks enable every member of the rescue team to be in constant contact with both the team captain and the response personnel on the surface. This significantly increases the safety of the rescue team during an operation.

“We should keep in mind that rescuers work in extreme conditions during rescue operations, and in order to be able to do so safely, they must be equipped with the best available equipment on the market”, says Adam Rozmus, JSW SA’s Vice-President for Technical and Operational Matters and a former mine rescue worker. This is why JSW chose the BG ProAir. “It provides a much higher level of safety for rescue workers.”

“We are delighted that JSW will be relying on Dräger technology for all future mine rescue operations,” says Helge Trabert, Global Product Manager at Dräger. “We took a lot of feedback from our customers into account when developing the respiratory protection system. In particular, the improved breathing and wearing comfort will make life easier for mine rescue teams during their operations and the high connectivity of the devices will further increase safety.”

The first delivery of the new mine rescue equipment took place in December 2024.

Further information:
Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
www.draeger.com

 

June 7, 2022 – St. John’s, NL, Canada – Dräger Canada and Focus FS are pleased to announce a strategic, multi-year partnership with Ontario Mine Rescue (OMR) in mine rescue safety innovation.

Together they will deploy the Focus FS Emergency Response software at over 30 operating mining sites across the province, which will provide each mine with the next generation of mine rescue technology.

“This partnership demonstrates everyone’s commitment to continuously improving mine rescue safety and emergency preparedness,” said Rob Clark, Managing Director at Dräger Canada. “By supporting dynamic collaborations such as this one with Focus FS and OMR, we can continue being mine safety leaders in Ontario and around the world.”

The Focus FS Emergency Response software replaces more traditional methods with digital communication and reporting tools used by rescue teams and surface personnel during active emergencies, training, and ongoing improvement. “We’re using leading-edge technology to strengthen mine rescue best practices,” said Jeffrey Brown, Focus FS President and CEO. “By vastly improving how critical information is collected and communicated in real-time, mine rescue teams can better respond to any incident – ultimately helping to save lives.”

The Focus FS Emergency Response software was developed in partnership with industry led by OMR.

“Our highest priority is the safety of those mine rescue responders we are sending back into the hazardous conditions of a mine emergency,” said Ted Hanley, Vice-President with Ontario Mine Rescue.

“The mine rescue communications platform provided by Focus FS will be used as a critical tool to ensure timely, accurate information is relayed and available to mine rescue teams and mine management – ensuring they make the safest decisions possible in the shortest amount of time.”

The software was introduced at the 2016 International Mines Rescue Competition and is now available for mines across the globe.

Further information:
Focus FS
www.focusfs.com

Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA, Lübeck/Germany, has acquired a stake in Focus Field Solutions Inc., a leading provider of industrial safety solutions based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador/Canada. With this latest investment, Dräger extends its expertise in the area of digital worksites.

Focus FS has developed a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform which digitizes critical operations data for people and assets. It offers different modules such as HSE (Health, Safety & Environment), E-Mustering, Incident Management and Asset Tracking. The customer can choose from a range of modules and create a solution that best fits their company needs. There are three main use cases that can be addressed by the solution: worker safety, plant and asset safety, and incident safety.

This digital technology minimizes risk and delivery performance insights to create safer and smarter workplaces. Through optimized workflow traffic and facility activities, real-time analytics, and dynamic HSE processes worker safety accelerates from simple compliance to safety culture dominance. Plant and asset safety enables efficient worksites with real-time inventory visibility and tracking, preventative maintenance planning, and smart rescue planning operations. Systematic management and corrective action, along with real-time communication and accountability, enhance and improve incident safety protocols.

“Behaviour-based safety, situational awareness, and increased operational productivity are challenges our customers worldwide face on a daily basis. With this partnership, we have the ability to offer effective solutions today,” says Ann-Marie Edgerton, Vice President of Segment and Product Marketing Emergency & Rescue Services at Dräger. “Our vision for tomorrow is also clear. We will ensure that not only do we offer technology for life to our customers – we will have an integrated offering that supports their ambitions of building safe and efficient worksites.”

“We are very enthusiastic about having Dräger as a partner and investor,” says Jeffrey K. Brown, CEO and co-founder of Focus FS. “This investment shows Dräger’s confidence in our vision of creating connecting worksites. We believe zero-harm is achievable – and by aligning ourselves with Dräger, who also believes workplace safety is paramount, we can help our customers realize that ambition.”

Focus FS already has a strong presence in the oil and gas, mining, and transportation sectors with Canadian and international customers. An important aspect of the company’s connected worksite vision involves market growth and product adoption.

Further information:
Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
www.draeger.com