1. Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate
MMPA CONGRESS
Overview of health and safety performance within the mining industry.
18 May 2012
Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate

2. Presentation Outline Background Health and Safety Overview.
Occupational Health Challenges.
Topical Issues.
Conclusion.

3. Background
Loss of life still a great concern as more than mineworkers died and more than a million were seriously injured as a result of mine accidents since 1900 to date.
It is estimated that many more lost their lives as a result of Tuberculosis, Silicosis and other health related conditions at the mines.
Poor legacy of health management resulting in social and economic impact with suffering mine employees and companies facing potential multimillion rand claims.
It is estimated that South Africa’s in situ mineral wealth is worth some R20-trillion.

4. Occupational Safety Milestones
Zero Rate of Fatalities and Injuries by 2013.
Achieve safety performance levels equivalent to current international benchmarks.

8. CLINICAL CAUSES OF DEATH

9. Occupational Health Milestones
Elimination of Silicosis
By December 2008, 95% of exposure measurements for respirable crystalline silica < OEL of 0,1mg/m3.
From 2013, no new cases of silicosis amongst previously unexposed individuals.
Elimination of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
By December 2008 hearing loss less than 10% amongst occupationally exposed individuals.
From 2013 total noise emitted by all equipment in any workplace < 110dB(A).

14. CHALLENGES
Entrenching a sustainable culture for all mine personnel to ensure a balanced approach on health and safety matters in the mining sector.
Skills shortage of qualified occupational medical practitioners and hygienists.
Inaccurate/Inadequate, late and non submission of health statutory reports, including occupational hygiene measurements and TB.
Inadequate linkage between occupational hygiene measurements and medical surveillance records.
Ensuring that workers are timeously made aware of their right to appeal in terms of Section 20.

15. TOPICAL ISSUES
2003 OHS Milestones – 2013 a reporting year on elimination of silicosis, noise induced hearing loss, fatalities and injuries.
DMR Chief Directorate: Occupational Health has been established and is operational.
Department is going to engage in a verification and validation project of dust bearing silica quartz and air quantity measurements.
The Mine Health and Safety Act is being amended to improve on compliance and thus health and safety trends.

16. TOPICAL ISSUES (Cont.)
The Department has commenced with Ministerial Group Audits focusing on control measures of airborne pollutants, noise; TB, HIV and AIDS; non-communicable diseases; living and change house conditions.
DMR is collaborating with DoH, DoL and tripartite stakeholders in monitoring the implementation of the 2011 Mine Health and Safety Summit Commitments on TB, HIV and AIDS; elimination of silicosis and noise induced hearing loss; Culture Transformation Framework and Centre of Excellence.

17. CONCLUSION
Although there has been a significant progress in OHS in SA mines, a collective effort is still required to prevent harm on mine workers.
High levels of death, injuries and diseases still remain of great concern.
Each stakeholder has an integral and equally important role to play to ensure that we achieve a goal of “Zero Harm” which we all strive for.

18. THANK YOU.