Mining summit emphasises zero harm to mineworkers

Safety in the spotlight as stakeholders recommit themselves to achieving set goals

DAVID MSIZA

THE health and safety of mineworkers, particularly fatalities, continues to be a great concern to the department.

The main contributors of fatalities are fall of ground, transport and general including fire accidents.

Undoubtedly, human and behavioural factors cannot be left out of the equation in dealing with this challenge. Developing and implementing programmes to assist the sector is what drives the work of the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), a statutory body tasked with advising the minister of mineral resources on health and safety matters affecting mineworkers.

During 2018 up to the end of last month, there have been 66 fatalities against 67 in the same period in 2017, which is a marginal improvement of 1% regression. The main contributor of fatalities are gold, 35, other, 16, platinum, 8, and coal, 7, mines.

The mine fatalities have also been exacerbated by three accidents which occurred at Sibanye Gold and Phalaborwa mines.

On the other hand, there has been a decrease in occupational diseases, where 4 632 cases were reported in 2016, compared to 4483 cases during 2017.

All stakeholders in the sector also recognise that it cannot be business as usual as one death is one too many.

The number of people who have lost their lives is not good for the mining industry as reflected in the fatalities statistics performance report.

This calls for a great deal of urgency from stakeholders to ensure that we reverse this alarming trend.

This monumental task is one we do not take lightly because we are fully aware of the fact that the death of a mineworker will forever affect their family, worst of all in instances where the deceased mine employee was the sole breadwinner.

It is also important to consider that the long-term sustainability of mining is dependant not only on its growth, competitiveness and transformation, but also on how well its workforce is cared for and safe.

In light of the above, the Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe, requested that the 2018 Tripartite Mine Health and Safety Council chairperson

Summit which was scheduled to take place in November be brought forward in order for all stakeholders in the sector to collectively assess progress made in attaining our objective of “zero harm”, and to chart a way forward. The minister has called on everybody to ensure that the health and safety of mineworkers is continuously protected in the mining industry.

He further has urged all stakeholders to appreciate that mining is not only about the minerals but is about human beings. Tripartite stakeholders hosted the summit with envisaged robust discussions on pertinent causes of injuries, health issues and fatalities.

Among others, critical topics for discussion were, falls of ground, seismicity, noise, TB, right to refuse dangerous work, occupational lung diseases, fires, explosions and the implementation of the culture transformation framework.

The commitment by leaders in the industry in driving the implementation of the milestones was also part of the critical discussions.

The summit will review progress towards achievement of the milestones which were agreed upon by stakeholders at the 2014 Occupational Health and Safety Summit for implementation by 2024.

Principal stakeholders recommitted themselves to the achievement of “zero harm” in the South African mining industry and vowed to continue to strive to ensure that every mineworker returns from work unharmed every day.

This is the responsibility of all stakeholders which include government; labour and the employers.

The honourable minister, Mr Mantashe delivered the keynote address at the opening. PROFESSIONALISM involves the twin concepts of competence and integrity – in the public service and private sector.

The public have been shocked and horrified by evidence to the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, indicating that senior public servants appear to have acted in conflict with the Constitution and with a total lack of professional integrity – cause for profound concern.

Section 195 of the Constitution sets out the basic values and principles governing public administration. First, the Constitution requires such administration to be governed by democratic values and other important principles, inter alia:

A high standard of professional ethics.

Efficient, economic and effective use of resources.

Services must be provided impartially, fairly, without bias.

Public administration must be accountable.

Transparency must be fostered by providing the public with timely, accessible and accurate information.

Good human resource management.

Public administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment management based on ability, objectivity, fairness, and the need to redress past imbalances.

These values and principles are constitutional imperatives because they are part of our Constitution – the supreme law of the land.

They must be observed by all public servants. Not only must those in the public administration behave with integrity and competence. This is also required of those in the private sector. Corporations can also constitute a threat to human rights and the economic interests of ordinary people. Therefore, they must act in accordance with the values in the Constitution.

The debacle relating, inter alia, to Steinhoff and the scandal involving VBS Mutual Bank indicate that a serious ethical relapse has occurred.

During the decade of the Zuma presidency something went radically wrong giving rise to corruption, state capture and great incompetency in the manner in which the public service operated. Public servants must conduct themselves to benefit the citizens and not to serve their own selfish or dishonest interests.

This is indeed one of the crucial challenges that the Ramaphosa administration must address with the urgency it requires.

Companies have rights and responsibilities. A new era is required of “just business” rather than “profits at all costs”. This is a unique challenge to the business world and all those involved.

There are many enlightened and very competent persons and captains of business who can take a leading role and infuse the values of the Constitution into the operation of their corporate ventures as demanded by the prevailing political and economic circumstances. This is essential in a country that has infinite potential with its inordinate human and natural resources.

However, it is imperative that the public and the media continue to be vigilant in monitoring the conduct of those in the public and private sector. Parliament also has an important constitutional oversight role to play. This is beginning to take place more thoroughly and vigorously. This is also manifestly required in relation to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) – in which it appears there has been manifest incompetence, corruption and state capture.

In both the public and private sectors, enlightened leadership is required to ensure that both public servants and the business fraternity act with competence and integrity and consequently that we as a nation return to the values and principles set out in our Constitution.