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Mine Health and Safety Council

Presentation to Gold Industry Safety Working Group

PotchefstroomNavin Singh

Contents

–The Road to Zero Harm–MHSC Mandate –MHSC Overview–MHSC Objectives–MHSC Initiatives–Attaining ZERO HARM–Conclusions

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Occupational Safety – Fatalities and Injuries – Milestones

Industry Target: Zero rate of fatalities and injuries

In the Gold Sector: By 2013, achieve safety performance levels equivalent to at least current international benchmarks for underground metalliferous mines

In the Platinum, Coal and Other Sectors: By 2013, achieve constant and continuous improvement equivalent to at least current international benchmarks

Occupational Health – Milestones

Industry Target: Elimination of Silicosis

By December 2008, 95% of all exposure measurement results will be below the occupational exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica of 0.1mg/m3 (these results are individual readings and not average results)

After December 2013, using present diagnostic techniques, no new cases of silicosis will occur amongst previously unexposed individuals (Previously unexposed individuals = individuals unexposed prior to 2008, i.e. equivalent to a new person entering the industry in 2008)

Industry target: Elimination of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

After December 2008, the hearing conservation programme implemented by the industry must ensure that there is no deterioration in hearing greater that 10% amongst occupationally exposed individuals

By December 2013, the total noise emitted by all equipment installed in any workplace must not exceed a sound pressure level of 110dB(A) at any location in that workplace (includes individual pieces of equipment)

Health and Safety Yardstick

Occupational Safety – Fatalities and Injuries – Milestones

Industry Target: Zero rate of fatalities and injuries

Benchmark less than 1 fatality per 33 million hours worked by 2013

Occupational Health – Milestones

Industry Target: Elimination of Silicosis

No new cases of silicosis for new employees from 2008

Industry target: Elimination of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Deterioration < 10%

Noise from any & all equipment < 110 dB(A)

Health and Safety Yardstick

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The Target

ZERO HARM

Our track record - Safety

Our track record - Safety

THECHALLENGE

REMAINS

• Prior to 2003 milestones, focus was on safety

• Respirable related deaths approx 80%

Safety vs. Health

• Silicosis

• OEL of 0.1 mg.m-3

• Country as a whole has steadily regressed.

• Only 3/9 provinces showing upward trend

• GP, NW, FS combined have largest workforce – 70%, 85% 70% compliance only

Health – Silicosis

• Same areas in the last few years

• SILICOSIS

• TB

• NIHL

Health - Occupational Diseases

Our track record - Safety• Prior to 2003 milestones,

focus was on safety

• Respirable related deaths approx 80%

Excerpt from summary of Accidents as per DMR website

July 2009• worker was killed when he was caught between two hoppers• A driver lost control of the truck and it drove into a construction crew, killing two workers• A worker was killed when he was caught between a hopper and the sidewall • In another fatal accident a worker died when he was struck by a scraper rope whilst conducting

cleaning operations• A worker died when he was caught between a loader bucket and a dump truck

June 2009• A worker was squashed to death between the Continous Miner machine and the rib side whilst

walking past it • A worker using a cloth to touch a rotating rod, when the cloth was caught and he was pulled into

the rotating shaft• Forklift overturned on a dirt road and fatally injured driver

April 2009• A worker was killed when he was squashed between a hopper and a redundant ventilation door

frame

February 2009• A worker fatally injured when he was run over by the leading hopper of a locomotive span• An operator sat upright in the scoop and died when he got his head caught between the roof and

the machine when he reversed • A locomotive bumped into another, the caboose derailed slightly and unfortunately bumped into the

a worker

Safety Statistics - Machinery and Transport

July 2009• worker was killed when he was caught between two hoppers• A driver lost control of the truck and it drove into a construction crew, killing two workers• A worker was killed when he was caught between a hopper and the sidewall • In another fatal accident a worker died when he was struck by a scraper rope whilst conducting

cleaning operations• A worker died when he was caught between a loader bucket and a dump truck

June 2009• A worker was squashed to death between the Continous Miner machine and the rib side whilst

walking past it • A worker using a cloth to touch a rotating rod, when the cloth was caught and he was pulled into

the rotating shaft• Forklift overturned on a dirt road and fatally injured driver

April 2009• A worker was killed when he was squashed between a hopper and a redundant ventilation door

frame

February 2009• A worker fatally injured when he was run over by the leading hopper of a locomotive span• An operator sat upright in the scoop and died when he got his head caught between the roof and

the machine when he reversed • A locomotive bumped into another, the caboose derailed slightly and unfortunately bumped into the

a worker

Excerpt from summary of Accidents as per DMR website

Safety Statistics - Machinery and Transport

"What is frustrating is the fact that all these accidents are

'repeat' in nature and by now we should have learned from

previous cases," the minister said.

Shabangu address to …told the 120th AGM of COM

Fatigue – A factor?• It was first postulated that

accidents occur on either side of shut-down periods.

• Close inspection shows accidents peak around 10H00

• If one assumes that a shift starts at 05H00 in the morning and would end at 13H00

• approximately 26% of accidents occur within the first three hours of the start shift

• Approximately 60% of accidents occur within by 12H30.

• Shifts may be 8 hours but what is the true start times and end times?

• Influenced by nutrition, fluid intake, health and medication

The road to ZERO HARM• Attaining ZERO HARM is a journey

• Long• Windy• Very bumpy

• SAMI has achieved major successes but the challenge is ever-constant.

• Advise the Minister on all occupational health and safety issues in the mining industry relating to legislation, research and promotion

• Review and develop legislation for recommendation to the Minister

• Promote health and safety in the mining industry

• Oversee research in relation to health and safety in the mining industry

• Liaise with other bodies concerned with health and safety issues

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MHSC Mandate• Advise the Minister on all occupational health

and safety issues in the mining industry relating to legislation, research and promotion

• Review and develop legislation for recommendation to the Minister

• Promote health and safety in the mining industry

• Oversee research in relation to health and safety in the mining industry

• Liaise with other bodies concerned with health and safety issues

Mine Health and Safety Council

Mining Regulations Advisory Committee

(MRAC)

Mining Occupational Health Advisory

Committee (MOHAC)

Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee

(SIMRAC)

Mining Industry HIV/AIDS and TB

Advisory Committee (MITHAC)

Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)

LegislationRegulationsGuidelinesStandards

Health PolicyHealth informationHealth regulationsResearch input

Research needsResearch programmes

Operational Execution and Implementation

StateLabourEmployers

MHSC Overview

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HIV/AIDS and TB programmes

MHSC Research Priorities and ProcessStep 1

• Analysis of OHS performance

Step 2• Review of previously conducted research

Step 3

• Latest Developments in OHS (national and international)

Step 5• Development of Key Focus Area

Step 6• Project Execution

Step 7• Transfer of Research Outcomes

Total Fatalities per Classification

FOG38%

TMM18%RB

8%FF7%

EL3%

MAC7%

EXP2%

GEN14%

MISC3%

Total Fatalities per Classification

FOG38%

TMM18%RB

8%FF7%

EL3%

MAC7%

EXP2%

GEN14%

MISC3%

Research determination for OHS

Thrust Area Research Area Number of Research projects1 Human Factors 14

2 Rockfalls 130

3 Rockburst 67

4 Fires and Explosions 47

5 Machinery and Transportation 99

Rock Related Research - Dynamic• SIMRAC has funded more than 50

projects on rockbursts and rockfalls, published handbooks, textbooks and reader-friendly informative booklets,

• South Africa is significantly more advanced in terms of research relating to the management of rockburst risk.

• Handbooks that were developed through SIMRAC that is used predominantly by the deep level gold mining rock engineers has become a prescribed textbook at the Universities of Witwatersrand and Pretoria respectively.

Rock Related Research - Static• 3 current research projects on

gravity-induced falls of ground

• Development of techniques for monitoring the rockmass as precursory events that would indicate impending instability and collapse.

• To assist in rock related engineering issues from layout design to support strategies on a daily basis.

• Development of Rock Engineering handbook for Platinum mines.

Rock Related Research - Static• Investigating use of thermal imaging

and use of infrared to determine the integrity of the hangingwall (roof) of the excavation.

• The hypothesis that is being tested is that “loose and potentially unstable rock will have a lower temperature than the surrounding more competent rockmass”

Criteria:  safe use of commercial personnel transportation  underground

GEN 702  CD Vol 4&5Engineering and human factors in machinery and transport accidents COL 203 CD Vol 1

Ergonomics of machinery and transport SIM 02 05 04  CD Vol 5

Factors affecting driver alertness SIM 02 05 02 CD Vol 5Guidelines for the development of safer use of mobile machines COL 341  CD Vol 1

Hazard recognition learning programmes in transportation thrust area

GAP 857  CD Vol 4&5

Machinery and Transportation

Investigate/recommend coupling systems : rail-bound vehicles GAP 703 CD Vol 3

Methods to combat mud rushes in diamond and base metal mines

OTH 601 CD Vol 4&5

DustSilicosis Eradication Programme Phase 2 - Track A SIM 03 06 03a CD Vol 06

Silicosis Eradication Programme Phase 2 - Track B SIM 03 06 03b CD Vol 06

Silicosis Eradication Programme Phase 2 - Track C SIM 03 06 03c CD Vol 06

Status (base lining) of noise & dust exposure SIM 06 06 01

Quantification of dust generating sources in gold & platinum mines

GAP 802 CD Vol 5

Monitoring and techniques for personal gravimetric dust sampling

GAP 046 CD Vol 1

Investigation of Crystalline Phases in Silica Fume  SIM 02 06 01 CD Vol 5

Enhancement of gravimetric dust sampling GAP 326  CD Vol 1Direct (real-time) estimation of occupational dust exposure HEALTH 704 CD Vol

4&5

Noise

Methods whereby noise levels of mining equipment may be reduced GEN 420 CD Vol 2&2

Evaluation of new methods for NIHL screening and diagnosis

SIM 020701

CD Vol 5

Health and Safety Culture• Implement culture

transformation framework

• Improve tripartite relations

• Ensure implementation of summit commitments

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Learning industry

• Establish Centre of Excellence for research, research implementation and capacity-building focusing on:

• Improve OHS capacity

• Reduce illiteracy in the mining sector

• Increase scarce skills that are critical to OHS

• Improve monitoring of occupation diseases

Healthy and Safe Workplaces• Eliminate Silicosis

• Eliminate NIHL

• Eliminate falls of Ground

• Eliminate transport and machinery accidents

• Improve lifestyle of mine workers

• Integrate and simplify compensation system

MHSC Initiatives- OHS Summit

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MHSC Initiatives- HIV/AIDS & TB Summit• At the Summit in November 2011, the principals agreed to work to

the three pillars on HIV/AIDS, TB and Silicosis in the mining sector

• PREVENTION

• TREATMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT

• RESEARCH, MONITORING& SURVEILLANCE

• In total there are 22 areasfocus.

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MHSC Initiatives- Culture TransformationPILLAR

1 INTEGRATED MINING ACTIVITIES

2 RISK MANAGEMENT*

3 TECHNOLOGY

4 LEADING PRACTICE*

5 ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION*

6 BONUSES AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES*

7 TRIPARTISM

8 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

9 INSPECTORATE

10 DATA

11 LEADERSHIP*

PILLAR1 INTEGRATED MINING ACTIVITIES

2 RISK MANAGEMENT*

3 TECHNOLOGY

4 LEADING PRACTICE*

5 ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION*

6 BONUSES AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES*

7 TRIPARTISM

8 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

9 INSPECTORATE

10 DATA

11 LEADERSHIP*

• At the Summit in November 2011, the principals launched the Culture Transformation Framework

• 11 pillars were identified

• Each focussing on various aspects that would improve the attitude and approach to OHS in the sector.

• Stakeholder prioritised 5 of the pillars.

• Focus is on promotion and implementation of the CTF

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MHSC Initiatives- Centre of Excellence

• The MHSC will fund the Centre of Excellence in line with an approved Business Plan for the Centre.

• The MHSC will ensure that leadership of the Centre implement a strategic plan in a coordinated and comprehensive manner in line with the mandate of the MHSC and purpose of the Centre.

• The MHSC will consider the Centre of Excellence as a provider of choice for research and capacity building as the Centre develops its own capacity to deliver.

Project name Objectives Investigation into surface activity of airborne particles in the gold, platinum and coal mining environment’

Draft best practice manuals for sector with regards physicochemical properties of respirable dust samples

Adverse Health Impacts from Dust Tailings Facilities

Year 2 will consolidate the preliminary studies associated with the dust from Tailings Facilities.

Characterising the Risk of Human Exposure and Health Impacts from AMD in SA

To understand the risks from exposure to AMD

Fluid Induced Seismicity (FIS) To assess the Risk posed to Jhb and surrounding areas from FIS from abandoned mined

Integration of national seismic network and the mine networks

To integrate the mine network with the national network

Noise Control for Fans and Other Sources To finalise the testing of equipment for sound levels and to negate sources of sound prior to sending the underground

Technology Transfer Technology Transfer Opportunities

MHSC Initiatives- research programme

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Paradigm Shift Required

Paradigm Shift Required

Each set is critically important to the reach the target… Zero

Harm

Skills, capacity

and training

Relevant knowledg

e and informatio

n

Health and Safety Culture

The right mind set….

Doing the right things….

With the right support….

Attaining ZERO HARM

• Poor track record on dissemination

• Poor track record on implementation

• Mining Charter forces employers to focus on research

• How does the MHSC initiatives reach the target audience?

• How do issues on the ground reach the MHSC?

OHS initiatives sector perspective

• Regional Tripartite Forums provide ideal opportunity for shared

• MHSC will support such initiatives

• Currently dominated by safety issues

• If 80% of mine deaths are HEALTH related why are health issues not brought to the fore?

Promotion of the MHSC

The MHSC continues to work tirelessly to make a meaningful contribution towards the realisation of ZERO HARM at South African mines.

Reaching the industry’s 2013 milestones is indeed a mammoth task that calls for dedication and co-operation from all

Inputs Outputs: Value Created

Research into Mining Health

and Safety issues

Clients /PartnersMining Industry, Mining Labour Unions, Department of Mineral Resources, Mining

Qualifications Authority, HEIs, research centres

Development and comment on

Legislation and Guidelines

Promote Culture of OHS in Mining

Industry

Liaison with other

organisations

Mine Health and Safety Data

OHS LeviesImproved

standards of OHS in mining sector

Advice to the Minister regarding

Mine OHS

A centre of Mining OHS Knowledge

Skills and expertise

Coordination of Tripartite

arrangements

Attaining ZERO HARM

Conclusion

Supported by

Towards

Driven by

ZERO HARM is not just about SAFETY but HEALTH as well

“who is going to drive the bus?”

the time for talking is over

ZERO HARM THROUGH ACTION

ZERO HARM

MHSC Disclaimer:All views expressed herein are the views of the author and do not reflect the views of the Mine Health and Safety Council unless specifically stated otherwise. The information is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, this information by persons or entities other than those intended recipient/s is prohibited. The replication of this material in any form will require approval from the author and Mine Health and Safety Council.

Mine Health and Safety Council

Thank you