The overall health and safety score achieved by the SA mining industry is 66%, according to figures released by the department of minerals & energy. In terms of occupational health and safety, the industry scored 59%. Health risk management compliance also came in at 59%, while public health and safety in mines received a slightly higher compliance rate of 65%.
Previous minerals & energy minister Buyelwa Sonjica expressed distress at these dismal figures, saying gaps in safety standards in the mining industry are apparent. In particular, the diamond mining sector disappointed with its mere 47% compliance with health risk management regulations. The gold industry scored only marginally better at 53%.
Dr Thuthula Balfour-Kaipa, health adviser to the Chamber of Mines, says there are several health challenges endemic to the mining industry. "Tuberculosis (TB) is a common occupational disease in mines where there's silica dust, and the high prevalence of HIV/Aids means the risk of contracting this disease is multiplied," she says. "Noise-induced hearing loss is also still an issue."
She says though the industry adheres to the department of health as well as the department of minerals & energy health guidelines, mining houses have also developed individual company programmes to deal with these challenges, while the Chamber of Mines has appointed a task team to advise the industry on TB.
According to Balfour-Kaipa, the Chamber of Mines has also decided to use the Mining Health & Safety Council's TB programme review tool for the SA mining industry to establish what more can be done by companies in combating TB.
This document highlights widespread employee confusion about TB, silicosis (pthysis) and HIV/Aids, noting that "workers commonly believed that one can turn into the other", and employee distrust of the health services. It also examines laboratory quality control, documentation and reporting as well as patient and employee education.
She says the Chamber of Mines has recognised that the high incidence of TB and the number of re-infections is related to people not knowing their HIV status and a lack of education around the fact that being HIV positive increases one's susceptibility to TB.
Yet in terms of HIV/Aids, she says the mining industry is at the forefront of testing and treatment projects. "Mining used to be an industry known for HIV, so we've had to put programmes in place and make counselling and treatment available and accessible."
She says that there is a need for support from unions in encouraging employees to know their HIV status. "We must engage. Employees are still suspicious of employers and think that their HIV status will be used against them. We need to gain the trust of the unions and get them to drive testing and treatment."
The Chamber of Mines has also established the Learning Hub for Leading Practice Adoption. The hub aims to influence industry adoption of leading practice through targeting leadership behaviour and behavioural communication.
Balfour-Kaipa says that R15m has been committed to this initiative this year. "Through the learning hub, leading practices are identified, demonstrated and adopted, which we believe will be a key differentiator in changing the culture of the industry as a whole," she says.
"Presently our culture is instructive. That needs to change - people don't take the necessary decisions in a crisis because they are used to being told what to do. We need to adjust the mentality and empower people so that they recognise the worth of their contribution."
She says all mining industry stakeholders need to improve levels of interaction and understanding. "There must be some balance between the carrot and the stick to motivate people," she says. "Though government believes people will comply with requirements only if there are penalties, there is room for encouragement and building of trust."
