Safety inspections should not stop for the Coronavirus

After our minister’s press conference on 21 April 2020, the message is clear: we will continue with the corona approach in the Netherlands. Washing hands, staying at home as much as possible, working from home, keeping a distance – all measures advised to us by the experts – will be extended.

During this coronavirus pandemic, many industrial, production and logistics companies took the step of denying external parties access to their premises. So what does this mean for the repair, maintenance and inspection of your explosion protected equipment?

As always, safety is the top priority at Mitrex. We fully understand that measures have been taken to restrict external visitors to a site in order to protect people and reduce the spread of the coronavirus. We would also like to express our appreciation to our customers who work with Mitrex explosion protection systems in certain critical sectors during these unprecedented events.
Nevertheless, it is important that all internal transport working in potentially explosive atmospheres is still well protected. If the maintenance or repair requirements for this equipment and explosion protection systems are overlooked, this poses a very serious risk to both users and suppliers.
RIVM recommends that planned maintenance, repairs and statutory inspections should be regarded as essential ongoing activities.
Your annual safety inspections (ATEX 153) for material handling should still take place. So, how can we help you?
Firstly, if we are allowed to enter your site, our service technicians can still visit your site to carry out an ATEX 153 inspection or other maintenance, provided that the government’s rules on social distance are strictly adhered to and the necessary hygienic measures are taken. You can now book a service visit as you would normally do. Our employees in the service department are fully operational and can be reached using our usual contact details.
Secondly, if we are unable to enter your site but you would like an inspection, service or repair, please contact us so that we can discuss how we can meet your specific requirements. There are several measures we currently take with customers to comply with their safety rules, as well as guidelines from the Dutch government and RIVM.
These are unprecedented times, but it remains important for all of us to protect people.

If you need more information or advice, please send us an e-mail or call +31 186 604 485.

Stay safe!

Toyota comes to pick up another ATEX-modified machine!

Mitrex has been working with Toyota Material Handling for many years in various countries in Europe. Now they come to pick up their forklift truck that has been converted to Category 3G equipped with an active infrared gas detection system that can be used in Zone 2. This system always keeps the driver informed about what is happening in his or her environment regarding the risk of explosion.

Want to know more about what is possible for you? Please contact us!

The annual audit for ISO 9001 has been completed again!

Mitrex’s quality management system has been certified since 2005. Every year an auditor from DNV visits our company to check the functionality of the system. This year’s audit was again positively completed and we look forward to next year.

Quality is important, we ensure this for you.

Training Still Engineers

The technicians from Still have visited Mitrex for a training. The highlight according these gentlemen was of course lunch but the most important thing is that they have passed their exam in a positive result.
Until next time!

Training Toyota Engineers

Toyota engineers have again been trained and refreshed in terms of knowledge in accordance with the ATEX Directive 2014/34 / EU and the EN1755: 2015 standard. With this they are authorized to carry out faults, repairs & maintenance on our Mitrex systems.

10% DEADLY ACCIDENTS BY EXPLOSIONS

A German fatal accident investigation (period 2004 – 2015) in the chemical industry has shown that 10 percent of fatal accidents are caused by explosions. That is why it is important to take good measures against the occurrence of explosions. This can be done by taking technical and organizational measures.

Of 300 fatal accidents in the chemical industry, five categories have been identified (the % have been rounded up):

       – vehicles / mode of transport (30%)

       – machines / installations (20%)

       – fall from height (15%)

       – falling objects (15%)

       – explosions / flames (10%)

       – Other (10%)

When focusing on the risk of explosion, ask yourself :

       1. Do I know if there is a risk of explosion at my workplace?

       2. Do I know the risks and the measures taken?

       3. Am I careful with work in areas with fire or explosion?

       4. Do I report defects that have to do with explosion?

       5. Do I work only after approval / work permit when performing maintenance, repair, etc.

If you have answered NO to 1 or more of the 5 questions, take appropriate action!

Fact: 32 people were killed in 2004 – 2015 by explosions and their consequences.

UPDATE NEN-EN 1755:2015

The title of this standard is: Motorised transport equipment – Safety requirements and verification – Additional requirements for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Some changes have been made to the new edition of the above standard. These will have to be finalised no later than November 2017. This applies to all manufacturers.

The biggest changes that have been made concern converting Zone 2:

        – Seats, armrests, roll-up side walls and other plastic materials accessible from the outside must be at antistatic

        – All tires (at a speed of> 6 km / h) of 3G trucks must now be antistatic. They must be grounded, either with two earths from the chassis to the ground, or by means of conductive tapes

        – The location of and the number of conductive tires or ground must be indicated on the chassis

Do you want to know what this will change for you? Contact us!

CHANGE OF SERVICE RATES

You will not have failed to notice that the commodity index has risen considerably in the past year because the prices of various raw materials have increased, together with a sharp rise in labor costs.

Despite all our initiatives, we are unfortunately unable to fully absorb these increases.

In order to continue to deliver the quality and service you expect from Mitrex, we are forced to increase the prices of our products and our services from 1 January 2018 with an average increase of 2.5%. The rate for an Ex inspection will be available on request. These rates are only applied for the Benelux.

We would like to thank you for your trust in Mitrex and look forward to continue doing business with our cooperation.

TWO LIFT TRUCKS DELIVERED AT SUN CHEMICAL


Mitrex has been able to carry out two conversions of Hyster forklift trucks – Hyster J3.0XN. It was a nice challenge, mainly because it is a very compact machine. We are happy with the results!

GENIE SCISSOR LIFTS TO POLAND

Mitrex has received 2 orders for a large company in Poland. They have ordered two Genie scissor lifts for Zone 2. These scissor lifts are used at a factory where airplanes will be sprayed. Some mechanics in Poland received an ATEX-training to be able to work on these machines, such as maintenance.

SECOND KARCHER CONVERSION

Mitrex has been allowed to carry out the second conversion for Kärcher. It is Kärcher BD40 / 25. It was a challenging project, mainly because it is a very compact machine. The end result may be there!

NEW CUSTOMER IN IERLAND

We have been commissioned by a new customer to convert two Heli forklift trucks. The trucks will operate in a Zone 2 environment. Before the machines are delivered, two mechanics had a ATEX-training and explanation at our headquarters in Oud-Beijerland.

THE FIRST 3 OF THE 10 MACHINES ARE READY FOR TRANSPORT TO SWITZERLAND

Mitrex has today prepared the first 3 machines for Switzerland. These are different models of the Still brand. The machines will be operational at a large chemical company.

MITREX SUPPLIES FIRST KARCHER SWEEPER

Mitrex has today delivered a Kärcher sweeper to a large customer in Hengelo in collaboration with Heffiq. There the machine is handed over with an explanation and a user manual for the machine.

ASSIGNMENT TENNANT S20 ELECTRICAL

Tennant has instructed Mitrex to convert an electric Tennant S20. This machine is a replacement of an old type that is operational in the Botlek.

THE THIRD TOYOTA DIESEL LIFT TRUCK DELIVERED TO CUSTOMER IN BELGIUM

After the first two orders for SGS Ewacs, Mitrex has now also received the third from Toyota Material Handling Belgium. The customer has been on site together with TMHB at Mitrex to take the forklift and test it. Both parties are very satisfied with the end result. We can be proud of the work that has been delivered!

POSITION IN SCANDINAVIAN MARKET REINFORCED

The position of Mitrex in the Scandinavian market has been strengthened again. The company already did business with the largest dealers throughout Scandinavia and now the brand Linde is also of them. We are very proud of this result, which we have already achieved with this team so far.

MITREX AGAIN ACTIVE ON THE BRITISH MARKET

Mitrex has been active in the British market in the past and has once again become active this year. The first orders are already received in the work shop. It concerns the brand Mitsubishi.

THE FIRST ORDER RECEVED FROM RUSSIA

It involves four machines that are used at a company that produces rocket components.

PROJECT 3M / TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING BELGIUM: MACHINES ARE FINISHED AND READY FOR USE!

The machines we have modified for Toyota Material Handling Belgium are ready for use. The machines will operate at 3M in Zwijndrecht, Belgium. These machines are suitable for use in explosion hazardous areas.

THE FIRST HANGCHA LIFT TRUCK TO CONVERT BY MITREX

Today we have received the order from Peinemann Heftrucks. It concerns 5 Hangcha forklifts. We are very enthusiastic about it because we are going to convert this brand for the first time. As soon as the machines have been converted, the photos will follow directly on our website.

MITREX WILL BUILD 3 TRUCKS FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST METAL FACTORY IN THE WORLD

By our customer Van Den Dorpe Material Handling in Belgium we get the chance to convert 3 machines with the Mitrex Infrared Gas Detection System for Arcelor Mittal.

PROJECT DIFFUTHERM / HSL: MACHINES ARE DONE AND READY FOR USE!

The machines that we have modified for Heftruck Service Limburg (HSL) are ready for use. The machines will operate at Diffutherm in Hapert, Belgium. All machines are equipped with a Mitrex Infrared Gas Detection System.

MITREX HAS A NEW SALES MANAGER

Currently we have a new Sales Manager at Mitrex. From now on you can go for all your questions regarding Ex-conversion, Ex-information and of course for all your other questions to David de Kruif.

CREPA GIVES IT’S 200th ORDER TO MITREX

Crepa has been a reliable customer of Mitrex for many years. Mitrex is now approved to convert the 200th machine from Crepa for which we are very grateful.

WE WILL RECEIVE 7 STILL TRUCKS SOON

Thanks to Still Belgium, Mitrex gets 7 new machines sent in their direction to make an explosion-proof conversion. These are different types such as RX20-20P, EGV-14 and RX60-35.

THE FIRST ORDER OF ATLET BELGIUM IS RECEIVED

This is the first collaboration between Atlet Belgium and Mitrex. It involves 8 machines including forklift trucks, pallet trucks and a reach truck that have to be converted for Zone 2. These machines will operate in several European countries.

PROJECT: 19 TRUCK DIFFUTHERM / HSL (HEFTRUCK SERVICE LIMBURG)

For years, Mitrex has been doing good business with HSL (Heftruck Service Limburg) in Neerpelt, Belgium. Again we have managed to get a large order from HSL. In this case it involves 19 different trucks. Reachtrucks, stackers, order pickers, pallet trucks and a fork lift truck equipped with the Mitrex Infrared Gas Detection System.

CONVERSION OF 2 FIREFIGHTER TRUCKS FOR SLOVENIA

After we converted a locomotive last year, we have been commissioned from Slovakia to convert two Mercedes fire trucks to Zone 2. A new challenge for Mitrex, in a new market that we like to respond to. With our team of specialists, we started the conversion of these two trucks last week.

PROJECT MAERSK: CONVERSION OF 12 TOYOA TRUCKS

Mitrex can handle large projects, we prove again with this assignment. During a trip through Denmark where we paid a visit to our customers, we received a large order for the conversion of 12 trucks for use in Zone 2.

PROJECT 3M IN BELGIUM: CONVERSION OF 15 TRUCKS

After a very long process of applications, compositions and quotations, we can proudly announce that Mitrex has received the definitive assignment for the conversion of 15 forklift trucks from the Toyota and BT brand. This involves 9 trucks in Cat. 2G (Zone 1) and 6 trucks in Cat. 3G (Zone 2).

PROJECT: TWO TENNANT S20 DIESEL MACHINES WITH A PARTICLE FILTER

Mitrex is not only specialized in the conversion of the forklifts but also in the modification of machines with a particle filter system. This assignment concerns the modification of two diesel-powered Tennant machines type S20, with a particle filter.

RTL BUSINESS CHANNEL     

On Tuesday 5^th February Mitrex was filmed for the program Bussiness-channel.nl from RTL 7. In this video, you will see an interview and the viewer will be invited to a look behind the scenes at Mitrex. The video will be broadcast on Sunday 10 March between 11:55 and 12:30 on RTL 7. It is worth watching!

PROJECT: CONVERSION OF 10 HYSTER TRUCKS

In December 2012, we completed a major project. This project consisted of converting 10 Hyster trucks to Zone 2 + 22, all of which had to be completed in a period of 8 weeks. Despite the fact that this involved the necessary challenges for our workshop, our employees succeeded in realizing the agreed delivery time. A challenging project and a satisfied customer.

CONVERSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE FOR BP

The fact that Mitrex is not only involved in the conversion of forklift trucks for the different zoning, is shown by the project that we have converted a locomotive into Zone 2 Category 3G. Such a transport is not an easy task as the only type of movement is rails. After working on it for several weeks, we can proudly say that we have finalized this conversion with great satisfaction from our client.