Mr. Robert A. Campman, Vice President of Grace Industries, Inc. testified before the U. S. Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety during a Mine Safety and Technology Roundtable at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. today. Mr. Campman’s testimony centered around new technology being developed by Grace to improve emergency life safety communications in underground mines.

Grace Industries is a leading manufacturer of two-way signaling life safety systems used heavily in the fire/rescue service and industry. “I commend Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash), Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), and Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) for their proactive efforts to improve the safety conditions in the mining industry. The recent disaster at the Sago Mine in West Virginia certainly focused the nation’s attention on the dangers faced by miners every day”, said Campman.

The hearing focused on two major areas: the issue of providing emergency escape oxygen systems, and the improvement of locating and communicating with miners who become trapped during a collapse, fire, or other emergency situation. Campman explained, “Our system is wireless and can provide two way emergency signaling to more than 3,000 personnel, and can be used by miners and rescue teams alike, and we are nearing the production phase of a component that will allow us to pinpoint the location of a collapse using the radio telemetry built into our system. As a company, we have always been deeply committed to developing new technology, and we look forward to working with the mining industry and government to save miners’ lives.”

During the discussions it became apparent that better regulation, federal funding, and the creation of new and hybrid technologies would be critical elements in creating a safer workplace in the mining industry.

For more information contact Grace Industries, Inc. at 1-800-204-7277.