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Offshore Gas Detection Equipment  

Offshore gas detection equipment

Offshore Gas Detection Equipment

 According to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), 33 offshore oil rigs exploded in the United States between 2007 and 2018. One of the most well-known disasters was the explosion of Deepwater Horizon, which resulted in 11 rig workers losing their lives and the largest oil spill in history.   

Offshore gas detection can help oil companies to identify problems early in order to find and repair issues quickly, significantly reducing the risk of leaks that could lead to a major accident or hazard. The first step to keeping workers and oil rigs safe is finding the right equipment, so Carroll Technologies works with offshore sites to find the most suitable gas detection devices on the market. 

Offshore Gas Detection Devices

Toxic, combustible or volatile gases can all pose risks to workers, as well as organisms living in the surrounding area. Offshore gas detectors must be able to provide accurate readings despite high moisture or high temperatures, so Carroll Technologies has searched the market to find the best quality gas detection equipment for industries that operate in adverse environments.  

According to Carroll Technologies president Allen Haywood: “Our handheld gas detection for mines and tunnelling are provided by MSA, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality safety products and gas detection system solutions. 

The Altair 4X from MSA is a rugged and durable gas detector that can measure up to four gases simultaneously from a range of XCell(R) sensor options, such as combustible gases, H₂S, O₂, CO, NO₂ and SO₂. This device has a four-year sensor life, as well as a 24-hour run time. 

The Altair 5X multigas detector is capable of measuring up to six gases simultaneously and is available with an integrated photoionization detector (PID sensor) for VOC detection. MSA’s XCell Sensor Technology delivers industry-leading response times, accuracy, and a long service life. 

The handheld device’s MotionAlert feature informs other workers if the user becomes immobile, and the InstantAlert manual alarm warns others of potential danger. Its rugged casing enables the device to withstand a fall up to 20ft. 

Carroll Technologies is a factory authorized repair and certification centre for MSA gas detection equipment and its MinerCare service encompasses technical support, an extensive spare parts inventory and rapid response to mine emergencies. 

The MSA Altair 4X and Altair 5X are available from Carroll’s online mining store, along with a range of other MSA products, including safety glasses, hard hats and self-rescuer respirators.  

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Ground Monitoring Devices for Mining, Tunneling & the Water Industry

Ground monitoring device

Ground Monitoring Devices for Mining, Tunneling & the Water Industry

Ground monitoring devices allow operators to analyze the stability of a mine, tunnel, or pipeline by continuously monitoring the integrity of an electrical grounding system and automatically responding if a problem occurs. Needless to say, ground movement monitoring systems are vital for modern mining, tunneling and water operations.

Ground monitoring is especially important in hazardous areas where there is a significant generation of electrostatic charge, such as when mixing liquids or at filling tanks and loading bays. Active ground monitoring will monitor the connection to an object at risk of electrostatic charge and signal to workers if it is secure. 

These devices ensure that electrostatic charge remains at a safe level to prevent the risk of explosions or fires. 

Ground Monitoring Equipment for the Water Industry

The water industry relies on accurate ground monitoring equipment in order to ensure the ongoing safety of workers when constructing tunnels and installing pipelines. Without effective ground monitoring systems, the threat of tunnel collapse becomes an unknown variable. Proactive ground monitoring equipment means that firms within the water industry can keep workers safe when tunneling as they are alerted to significant shifts of rock and debris, allowing them to make critical decisions which could save lives. Carroll Technologies provides a broad range of ground monitoring equipment for use within the water industry, helping to protect workers and save time and money.

Ground Monitoring Device Manufacturers

Carroll Technologies has provided safety and electrical equipment to mines across the US for more than 40 years. Carroll has searched the market for only the most rugged and reliable devices, and can work with customers to recommend the most suitable solutions for their application. When it comes to ground monitoring devices, Carroll offers a broad range of products from trusted manufacturers such as Simplified Mining Instruments (SMI), AMR PEMCO, Becker/SMC, and MCI. 

Simplified Mining Instruments (SMI) provides a range of ground monitoring devices which help to predict and prevent possible mine collapses, including the Sag Flag Roof Monitor which acts as an early warning system that helps to identify ground movement before it becomes an issue, and the SMI Miners Borehole Camera, which is used for the inspection and monitoring of boreholes as small as 1-5/8″ diameter and up.

AMR PEMCO has been a pioneer for ground monitoring devices for mines since 1975. It’s portfolio includes the only MSHA-approved high-voltage pilotless ground monitor on the market.  

Becker/SMC provides a wide range of sophisticated electrical control systems, including Servic Sentinel Ground monitors for low-medium voltage circuits, as well as high voltage ground monitors.  

MCI is a supplier of advanced power solutions. In addition to aircraft instruments, MCI provides a range of ground power units that are ideal for ramp maintenance and emergency starts. 

Finding the right ground movement monitoring system depends on where in the mine it is being utilized and the voltage of the system it will be overseeing. Carroll Technologies works with mines to ensure that their safety systems are optimised, including around the clock technical assistance, as well as rapid response to emergency situations and a spare parts inventory worth more than $7 million from 70+ manufacturers at 13 distribution centres across the US. Carroll also performs factory-authorized repair and certification, maximizing the value of customer investment. 

View the SMI Sag Flag early warning and ground control management system installation

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Mine Falls: How to Prevent and Predict Roof Collapses

Mine roof collapse

Many of the most infamous mine roof collapses share one thing in common: ignoring or not adequately addressing inspection citations.  

MSHA is required to inspect underground mines four times a year for health and safety compliance, although mines with high levels of explosive or toxic gasses are inspected more often. Further Inspections will also be conducted in response to complaints of hazardous conditions. 

MSHA Best Practices for Mine Roof Collapse

 In 2016, in response to ten roof falls that occurred on working sections after the roof was bolted, MSHA updated its best practices to prevent and predict roof collapses. These events were considered particularly worrying because roof falls at the loading point are especially dangerous as this is where most workers will be located. 

 Between 1999 and 2008, prior to these changes, MSHA reported that almost 40% of all underground fatalities were attributed to roof, rib, and face falls. 

 MSHA now states that mines must know and follow the approved roof control plan and that there must be frequent examinations. Mines must also be conscious of changing conditions, as this may affect roof or rib conditions. In the event of adverse conditions, additional roof and/or rib support must be installed. 

 Supplemental support includes equipment such as screens, steel straps, header boards or larger roof bolt plates, and extra support in the vicinity of the last row of bolts should also be used where appropriate. Test holes should be used to check for cracks and other potential hazards above the roof bolts. 

 Workers should immediately inform mine management and other miners if there are any unusual roof or rib conditions, and no personnel should travel under an unsupported roof. 

 In the event that the roof becomes unstable, equipment should be withdrawn immediately.  

NIOSH Mining Program: Preventing Mine Roof Collapse

As part of its Mining Strategic Plan for 2019-2023, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) set out a number of priority research areas, including “improved safety in relation to the wide range of tools, stationary equipment, and mobile equipment used to extract and process mined materials”, which includes safety equipment for preventing roof and rib falls and ground failures. 

Ground Monitors and Fault Monitoring Systems

Carroll Technologies provides a range of Simplified Mining Instruments (SMI) ground monitoring systems for mining infrastructure that allows operators to analyse rock stability and make critical decisions. The SMI product range includes Miner’s Helper Extensometer for monitoring roof sag, the Sag Flag for continuous monitoring of ground movement, and the Miner’s Eye Bore scope camera for visual inspections of boreholes

 PEMCO continuous ground monitors verify the integrity of AC ground wire in heavy equipment trailing cables, while MCI’s ground monitors and ground-fault replays improve personnel and electrical equipment safety. 

 

View the SMI Sag Flag early warning and ground control management system installation