GEOGRAPHICAL FOCUS: AFRICA
T e trend has continued, with 93 deaths in 2013 and 84 deaths in 2014, which had the lowest number of fatalities in South African mines since records began. T ere has been a staggering 86% improvement on 1993 fi gures (615). However, accidents in illegal mines continue to pose a problem due to being outside the system and the additional problems of working in disused mine-workings for example.
Legislation has contributed to a
drop in accidents. Act 29 of the 1996 Mine Health and Safety Act ensured owner responsibility for health and safety through codes of practise, training, the identifi cation of potential hazards, employment of hygienists, and improved record keeping. It also protected the rights of an employee to withdraw their labour or absent themselves from unsafe or potentially
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unsafe areas, created the Inspectorate of Mining Health and Safety, and established the Mine Health and Safety Council. Amendments to the act in 1997 continued the good work. Eff ective action, however, has taken time and there continues to be a need for proactive intervention in the mining industry to ensure continued progress in the area of safety. President Jacob Zuma commented recently: “We need to vigorously support and entrench a culture of zero harm in this industry. T e safety record of our mines has become a central issue that will be placed under the scrutiny of government.”
Training and analysis A huge contribution to mine safety in South Africa is being made by improved and innovative technology, including simulation and training.
South Africa currently has one of the largest reserves of gold in the world and it boasts approximately the fi fth largest mining sector
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