JOHANNESBURG, January 19 (ANA) – The Chamber of Mines on Thursday, welcomed the annual performance statistics on the health and safety performance of the mining industry, but expressed concern at the growing number of deaths resulting from fall of ground.
Minerals Minister Mosebenzi Zwane revealed on Thursday that the mining industry recorded 73 fatalities in 2016 compared with 77 in 2015, translating into an improvement of five percent year-on-year.
In a statement, the Chamber’s president Mike Teke said it was of particularly great concern that during 2016 there was an increase in fall-of-ground related fatalities, an area where the industry had made such great strides in recent years.
“While fewer people lost their lives during 2016, we are disappointed that there have been any deaths at all. Our goal must be Zero Harm,” Teke said.
“I felt exactly the same when I read in the news that over 1,700 people died in road accidents over the festive season alone. We cannot become desensitised and accept that road deaths are acceptable. In the same vein, we cannot and will not accept that deaths in mining are inevitable.”
Teke said despite the fact that operating conditions in South Africa are often considered to be more challenging than anywhere else in the world, the safety performance of South African mines now compared favourably with other sectors and similar mines in the United States of America, Australia and Canada.
As the death rates fell in 2016, overall injury rates also continued to fall, showing a consistent and underlying improvement in performance.
Teke said progress had also made on the occupational health front.
The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis, silicosis and noise-induced hearing loss declined over the past two decades.
“The progress made on the occupational health and safety front is testimony to the various tripartite health and safety initiatives adopted by the mining industry and the efforts of management, employees, government and trade unions,” Teke said.
Teke said work continued to reduce exposure to dust and noise and, over the past decade, the general dust incidence had decreased by more than 50 percent as a result of the introduction of new or improved technologies.
Screening of employees for HIV and TB continued to improve during 2016 and work continues, in association with the government and union partners through the Masoyise iTB campaign.
“The Chamber acknowledges the role of the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate for its diligence in recording and investigating incidents and accidents,” Teke said.
“It should be noted, that no other industry in South Africa reports on safety and health in the same degree of detail, accuracy and transparency.”
– African News Agency (ANA)
