System Aids Mines With Emergency Communication, Tracking

MALVERN, PA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rajant Corporation, a leading provider of portable, reliable, and adaptable wireless networking solutions, announced that its BreadCrumb wireless system has been approved and listed by the West Virginia Office of Miner's Health, Safety and Training (WV OMHS&T) for use by mining permit holders. The Rajant BreadCrumb system will meet part of the requirements for emergency communications and tracking outlined in the West Virginia Legislative Rule Governing Protective Clothing and Equipment.

"Allowing wireless tracking and communications with each miner is of the utmost importance in an emergency situation," said Peter Lenard, Senior Vice President of the Rajant Corporation. "One of our primary goals of design was to ensure that the communication-tracking system's functionality remains intact and viable after an accident and loss of outside power."

The WV OMHS&T validated the successful tests of the Rajant BreadCrumb systems which consisted of an interconnected mesh solution connecting laptops and Voice-over-IP (VoIP) phones as far as 3,200 feet from the mine communications center. These systems are battery-powered wireless access nodes that enable voice and data communications across a meshed, self-healing network. They can communicate with other IP based client-devices such as sensors, video cameras, laptops, and satellite terminals. Rajant's approval and testing plan is posted on the WV OMHS&T website.

"Rajant is proud to be part of this mine safety solution that helps operators communicate and track miners in emergency situations," said Bob Schena, CEO of the Rajant Corporation. "We are happy to be able to assist the West Virginia mine operators with a solution in submitting their plans to the Office of Miner's Safety, Health and Training."

About Rajant
Rajant's BreadCrumb Wireless solutions provide portable, reliable, and adaptable networks for mining, Homeland Security, U.S. military, first responders, public safety and heavy equipment communications. BreadCrumb technology provides voice and data communications across a meshed, self-healing network that can communicate with IP based client devices such as laptops, PDAs, video cameras, satellite terminals, networked radios and sensor devices. For more information, please visit the company's Web site or call (484) 595-0233.

About West Virginia Office of Miner's Health, Safety & Training (WV OMHS&T)
The West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training is one of the oldest WV state agencies, tracing its roots to February 22, 1883 when the first West Virginia mine safety act was passed by the legislature. The office consists of approximately 110 employees assigned to four regional offices and the Charleston Headquarters. They employ inspectors, safety instructors, and administrative support personnel in each regional office. The inspectors today are responsible for inspecting over 713 mines, quarries and coal handling facilities as well as approximately 2500 independent contracting companies. Their inspection staff conducts regular inspections and investigates all serious mining accidents as outlined in our mission statement. The safety instructors provide industry training, review safety programs for all facilities, and conduct certification examinations. They also maintain a highly trained and well equipped Mine Rescue Team. In addition to these activities, their agency issues permits and approvals, maintains industry statistics, and develops and publishes industry training materials. More information can be found at the Web site or by calling the offices at 304-558-1425.

Contacts
Rajant Corporation
Jena Dunn, 484-595-0233
[email protected]