SAFETY
organisers, Workplace Safety North and Ontario
Mine Rescue, focused on a realistic setting with
educational benefits”, says Dräger’s Business
Manager Mining for North America, Kathryn
Kasper.
Both the mines rescue and firefighting events
were set in real underground mining operations.
A network of cameras was used to send a live
transmission to a public viewing area. This
created an unique opportunity for all to share
with and learn from each other.
“Dräger was proud to once again be a
platinum sponsor of this event and to continue
our support of the original Drägerman”, says
Dräger CEO Stefan Dräger. The next event will be
the IMRB conference in 2017 in Russia.
The Holmes Mine Rescue Association
(HMRA), a division of the Joseph A. Holmes
Safety Association, also recently named longtime
Dräger employee, Kent Armstrong, as its “Man of
the Year.” He received the distinction for his
contributions to mine rescue in the US during an
HRMA luncheon in Branson, Missouri.
The HMRA Man of the Year award is given to
individuals or institutions that have made
outstanding contributions to mine rescue.
Dräger has been manufacturing mining
safety technology since the start of the
20th century. In particular, its
respiratory protective devices for
rescue teams have been so successful
that they are known as “Drägermen”
within the North American mining
industry to this day.
“This year’s recipient of the HMRA
award is among the most qualified
individuals of all time,” said Jim Vicini,
Presient, HMRA. “Kent has been instrumental in
the formation of the HMRA and promoting mine
rescue in the US. Any time the mine-rescue
community needed help, Kent was the first to
offer assistance. He’s not only a leader, but his
advice is taken as one of the foremost experts in
the world. His service to mine rescue is greatly
appreciated as evidenced by this prestigous
award.”
“While I am grateful to receive this award, it’s
not so much a personal distinction for me.
Rather, it represents the high degree of
recognition that Dräger receives throughout the
entire mining industry,” said Armstrong, who has
worked in mining for more than 35 years, 23 of
which with Dräger.
“For more than 100 years, Dräger has been an
active proponent of mining safety, which is why
this award means so much,” said Stefan Dräger.
“We promise to continue to do everything in our
power to increase mining safety through
intelligent technology and practical solutions.”
MSA’s all round offering
MSA‘s expertise in miners’ protection was on
display at MINExpo with its wide range of safety
solutions covering most of this article’s main
topics including head, respiratory, and fall
protection along with portable gas detection
instruments. Knowing the challenging working
conditions miners face daily, one of MSA’s top
The MSA Advantage® 420 HalfMask Respirator
priorities is providing technology-driven, highquality head protection products to ensure health
and safety of e