1 PRESENTATION TO PPC OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES Presented by: Ms M A Hermanus Chief Inspector of Mines Republic of South Africa State of Occupational Health and Safety in South African Mines: April 2003-March 2004

2 DISCUSSIONS The Minerals Industry The State’s Role Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate Health and Safety Performance OHS challenges Policy and Legislation Human Resources Matters of interest Concluding Remarks

3 MINERALS INDUSTRY Largest employer in the national economy followed by manufacturing Contributed to establishment of country’s secondary industries Major commodities: gold, diamond, coal and platinum Minerals and mineral products exported to over 80 countries worldwide

4 STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRY Mining Industry mainly organised into large corporate bodies Mining activities ranges from deep level gold mining (± 3 km under ground) to Marine diamond operations Junior, small and artisinal mining now emerging with changes in mineral policy and law

5 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK Legislative framework has undergone radical change since Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No.29 of 1996). Objective: protect the health and safety of people from hazards/risks related to mining MHSI: administers and regulates health and safety at mines.

6 STRUCTURE OF THE DME MHSI CIOM Energy Branch Department of Minerals and Energy Mineral Development Branch REGIONS PIOM’S x 9

7 THE MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTORATE (MHSI) OBJECTIVES: Effective policy and enforcement framework; Reduce occupational injuries and ill-health; Improve information management and accessibility Support new entrants to industry Support public health initiatives e.g. HIV/AIDS Promote research in OHS Support and develop tripartism

8 SAFETY PERFORMANCE Industry employs ± people 264 deaths in 2003 from 293 in 2002 (rates, 0.63 and 0.74 per 1000 employees respectively) Gold and Platinum- deep level mining accidents remains a challenge (gold rate 0.80; platinum 0.52) Coal safety performance is at 0.45 per 1000 employees Occupational health remains a challenge, outcomes and data.

9 FATAL INJURIES-ACTUALS

10 FATAL INJURIES-RATES

11 DISABLING INJURIES-ACTUALS

12 DISABLING INJURIES-RATES

13 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERFORMANCE [1] [1] Rate of silicosis diagnosed per 1000 autopsies Total [1] [1] Data are not yet available for 2002

14 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERFORMANCE

15 OHS CHALLENGES Culture Change – values, systems, new methodologies e.g. behavioral safety Improved management systems and new technologies: Rockfalls and Rockbursts Fires and explosions Machinery and transport systems Physical hazards: noise and vibration Airborne pollutants and diseases

16 CHALLENGES (cont.) Illegal Mining Incidents of criminals entering U/G mining operations Threat to the profitability of ops Serious consequences to H&S

17 CURRENT OHS GOALS Mine Health and Safety summit: 2003, set the following milestones for the industry Reduce fatalities and disabling injuries rates over 10 years Gold : 50% Industry wide: 20% 95% of measured exposures < OEL by 2008 and no new cases by dBL by 2013.

18 POLICY AND LEGISLATION Success dependant on tripartite structures of the MHSC Since 1996, 40 regulations and 14 guidelines developed. Impact of new legislation still needs formal assessment

19 RESEARCH MHSC support research into H&S at mines Current programme has identified 9 key areas Safety research cost increased from R102 per employee in 2002 to R107 per employee in 2003.

20 ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY Staff compliment: 141 inspectors + 52 admin Vacancies: 33 for inspectors, 6 mid mgt, 2 admin support Filling of posts remains a serious challenge due to unattractive remuneration packages

21 HUMAN REOURCES DEVELOPMENT The recommendations of the review of the MHSI by IMC are being implemented Consultants appointed in May HR and organisational interventions for the MHSI are being implemented by the consultants

22 STAFF BREAK DOWN African s Coloureds Indians White Males Female Tota l Senior Management Middle Management Inspectors Admin Support Total

23 CROSSCUTTING INTIATIVES HIV/AIDS Small Scale Mining Skills development

24 Major Accidents Mponeng Explosion 1999: Finalised and Admin fine paid Beatrix Explosion 2000: Finalised and awaiting further action by prosecutors Beatrix Explosion 2001: Evidence collation finalised, awaiting argument from legal reps.

25 Accident of Interest: Northam Platinum Fire broke out in Conveyor decline 9-employees overcome by fumes Suspected cause: overheating of bearings that ignited conveyor belt Action taken Operations halted Newsflash forwarded to mines Arrangements for an inquiry being finalised

26 CONCLUSIONS Significant progress in OHS in SA Mines High levels of serious death, injury and disease remain a problem Work on improving OHS must continue and intensify THANK YOU!!!!