Occupational Health Milestones and Chamber’s Response to Key Health Issues. Dr Thuthula Balfour-Kaipa Head: Health Department Chamber of Mines SA MMPA Annual Congress 6 September 2014, Kloofzicht

Outline  Occupational Health Milestones  Process of revision at MHSC  Assessment of progress on milestones  Challenges  Other health issues  Compensation  One Stop Centres  Chamber position on TB in contractors  Conclusion  Occupational Health Milestones  Process of revision at MHSC  Assessment of progress on milestones  Challenges  Other health issues  Compensation  One Stop Centres  Chamber position on TB in contractors  Conclusion

Occupational Health Milestones Industry milestones for 2013 – Noise After no deterioration in hearing greater than 10% amongst occupationally exposed individuals total noise emitted by all equipment installed in any workplace must not exceed a sound pressure level of 110dB(A) – Dust % of all exposure measurement results below OEL for respirable crystalline silica of 0.1mg/m no new cases of silicosis will occur amongst previously unexposed individuals (exposed after 2008)

Process of revision of milestones at MHSC Health and Safety Tripartite Summit: November 2014 Collation of data from companies – early 2014 Engagement of expert to analyse health data Tripartite discussions on new occupational health milestones.

Performance on current milestones

Noise After no deterioration in hearing greater than 10% amongst occupationally exposed individuals Milestone not met

Noise total noise emitted by all equipment installed in any workplace must not exceed a sound pressure level of 110dB(A) Milestone not met

Dust By % of all exposure measurement results below OEL for respirable crystalline silica of 0.1mg/m 3 Milestone not met

Dust

no new cases of silicosis will occur amongst previously unexposed individuals

Challenges thus far Milestones that were unrealistic – NIHL Milestones that were not measured – equipment, silicosis after Health has not been effective in reporting due to lack of accurate data – AMR – 2011 Regulation on Reporting of Occupational Diseases

Other health issues

Compensation Collapse of the compensation system for occupational lung diseases. Proposed amendments to ODMWA Chamber request for extension of deadline for submissions by Advisory Committee. Support through Ex-Mineworker Project

One Stop Centres Vision of DOH Serves all workers Can handle all enquiries; UIF, COIDA, ODMWA Provides promotive, preventive, treatment and rehabilitation services. Require a doctor. Support through COM Focused on ex-mineworkers Benefit medical examinations Nurse based Support for 2 years.

One Stop Centres Mthatha Carletonville – April 2014 DOH intend to have more in: – Kuruman – Burgersfort – SADC countries Limited funding.

Chamber Position on TB and Contractors Standard/position that, by the end of 2014, contractors should be managed similarly to permanent employees in the provision of TB services. Position adopted by Chamber Council in March 2014.

Conclusion Much still needs to be done. Challenge for industry is to raise the bar for our performance. “Where there is a will, there is a way.”

THANK YOU