International Explosives Conference opens in Swakopmund

Isaac Chikosi

The Governor of the Erongo region, Clr Cleophas Mutjavikua, welcomed participants of several countries to the 19th International Conference of Chief Inspectors of Explosives and the 25th Explosives Propellants and Pyrotechnics working group at Strand Hotel in Swakopmund yesterday.

The opening was the first of a week-long conference attended by Chief Inspectors of the Namibian Police Force from duty stations across the country, as well as the commander in chief, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force Lt Gen Sebastian Haitota Ndeitunga and Major General (ret) Charles Namoloh, the Minister of Safety and Security.
Industry experts and regulators from the various countries represented will share experiences and latest techniques on the handling of explosives within the mining and civil construction sectors.
Addressing delegates in the beginning phase of the deliberations was Ken Price, an expert in risk management and dangerous goods Safety. According to Price, this is different from discussing occupational safety, as the issue of explosives concerns broader public safety.
The conference is crucial to bridge any possible form of information gaps and to revisit and develop new strategies and ideas to perpetuate the improvement worldwide in the safe handling, use and deactivation of explosives.
Delegates have the opportunity to learn from one another’s experience and studies and to revisit the robust discipline in explosives behaviour and the safety aspects in the testing, production, handling, storage and transport of explosives; also, to ensure growing safety and security benefits to the public and industry, by promoting best practices in the field of explosives regulation; and increasing knowledge of working practices, technical developments and incidents in the explosives industry.
The Mayor of Swakopmund, Pauline Nashilundo also attended the meeting.