Safety & health

Safety in the workplace is paramount, particularly in the mineral industry, where seismicity and mining at depth, among others, present daily challenges. Ideally, the industry seeks to reduce mining-related deaths and injuries and diseases. To assist in achieving this, the Association of Mine Managers co-signed the Mining Sector Occupational Health and Safety Targets and Milestones.

The Department of Minerals and Energy, through the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate, has established national policy, legislation and systems to regulate, monitor, audit and inspect mines; contribute to the development of qualifications, skills programmes and learnerships in the mining industry; and provide technical advice to the mining sector.

• Mine Health and Safety Act 1996, No 29 of 1996
• Mine Health and Safety Amendment Act 1997, Act 72 of 1997 (PDF - 298KB)
• Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC)

Mining sector occupational health and safety targets and milestones

Employers’ commitment

We, the undersigned, representing employers in the South African mining sector – commit to achieving the occupational health and safety targets and 10-year milestones agreed to at the 2003 Mine Health and Safety Summit, namely:

Industry Target: Zero rate of fatalities and injuries
Milestones	In the Gold Sector: By 2013 achieve safety performance levels equivalent to current international benchmarks for underground metalliferous mines, at the least. In the Platinum, Coal and Other Sectors: By 2013 achieve constant and continuous improvement equivalent to current international benchmarks, at the least.
Industry Target: Elimination of Silicosis
Milestones	By December 2008, 95% of all exposure measurement results will be below the occupational exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica of 0.1mg/m3 (these results are individual readings and not average results). After December 2013, using present diagnostic techniques, no new cases of silicosis will occur amongst previously unexposed individuals (Previously unexposed individual = individuals unexposed prior to 2008, i.e. equivalent to a new person entering the industry at 2008). NIOSH – Silicosis fact book (PDF - 1.65MB)
Industry Target: Elimination of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) (The present noise exposure limit specified in regulation is 85dB(A))
Milestones	After December 2008, the hearing conservation programme implemented by industry must ensure that there is no deterioration in hearing greater than 10% amongst occupationally exposed individuals. By December 2013, the total noise emitted by all equipment installed in any workplace must not exceed a sound pressure level of 110dB(A) at any location in that workplace (includes individual pieces of equipment). Workplace Solutions – Hearing Conservation Program Evaluation Checklist (PDF - 84KB)

• Graphs of total accidents between 2002 - 2007 (PDF – 432KB)

We further commit to:

• Identifying and implementing focused strategies and plans, as appropriate to our companies’ circumstances, to achieve the targets and milestones;
• Co-operating with other stakeholders, in particular the government and unions, to achieve the targets and milestones; and sharing best practices to promote occupational health and safety in the mining sector.

Meeting with the DME minister

The Chief Inspector of Mines explained the downward trend in fatalities since 1987. A major concern is the lack of improvement during 2006 and the deteriorating trend in 2007. He asked whether this may be due to the productivity push in various commodity sectors. He explained that the Inspectorate was busy restructuring to deal with the various challenges and were developing a better monitoring tool that could also look at leading indicators.

The NUM agreed with the decrease in the number of fatalities but asked whether this was only due to the number of workers employed. The NUM emphasized the need for a sense of care, cooperation, enforcement, training of workers, contractors, fatigue, and the right of workers to stop unsafe work.

The COM also indicated their concern about the safety trends and explained what they are proactively doing to improve safety. Feedback was provided from the summit, which highlighted leadership and a shift from sharing to adoption of best practices as key enablers of improved safety. The actions they have agreed to move forward were also highlighted.

The Minister asked for a review of our performance against the agreed milestones. It was concluded that although there was improvement in the non-gold sector during 2006, the industry as a whole did not make any improvement. She emphasized the need for all parties to play their role and to enhance their commitment. A particularly strong message should be sent to CEO’s on the important role they play and the DME should improve substantially on their supervisory role. The delays in investigations by the Department of Justice would also be discussed with the relevant Minister. She also called on the sector to be more proactive and not of only manage mine safety when there is a crisis.

It was agreed that the sector should have a year plan and a high-level, tripartite meeting four times per year to monitor safety trends and agree further actions. The matter would also become a standing matter on the Minerals Board agenda.