NORTHREN CAPE REGIONAL HYGIENE PERFOMANCE PRESENTATION Northern Cape

NORTHREN CAPE REGIONAL HYGIENE PERFOMANCE PRESENTATION

Northern Cape Regional HYGIENE Performance Introduction 2016 (YEAR OF BACK TO BASICS) • • The Northern Cape region past year has been very challenging with regard to Safety statistics. Forgotten to be a silent/hidden contributor to these incidents is Occupational Hygiene. From 10 fatalities although categorised as Machinery and mining, fatigue, illumination, heat and ergonomics silently contributed to at least 7. The above does not include pending fatalities that may be the result of exposure to dusty conditions on mines as my be determined many years to come. The biggest challenge now being global warming and the change in environmental conditions. Trust me when I say, the heat conditions, should they not change, they may result in refrigeration requirements for shallow mining

Achievements • The standard of health facilities as well as ablution facilities has improved • Codes of practices have improved. • Health and Hygiene now report to Employers and is empowered in most mines. • Improved reporting from mines although quality is still a problem • Better understanding of Hygiene Incidents at mines

Challenges • • • • Reliability of Hygiene measurements(Some mines report that Hygienists spend less than 2 hours on the mine) Part Time Hygienists(consultants) keep records and destroy them should their contract be terminated. They also give mines old SOPs Inadequate/Poor Hygiene risk assessments (No fatigue management at small mines or ergonomical assessments) Poor knowledge of legislation by Diggers and small miners No protection from extreme temperatures or other conditions Poor understanding of Hygiene hence inadequate risk assessments. Inadequate dust suppression (suppression systems in general) Increased mine fires in general. Poor service by “Consultants” Poor training and low literacy levels of employees Poor accident investigations New Mines with no Health and Hygiene personnel Inadequately skilled Managers Unknown Old Mines History

Conclusion • The Northern Cape office presently is experimenting with different strategies applying different approach to different mines. This they do depending on the maturity of systems on the mines. It has been noted however that the moment Inspectors relax the approach at a mine, the mine tend to allow health and safety to deteriorate. The challenge at the moment is the new operations especially those at asbestos prone areas. We have however urged mines to start monitoring for asbestos and asbestosis among employees in all mines in the Kuruman Manganese belt

2016 • What’s NEXT? ? ? ? • Returns before end February 2016 • A list of Part Time Hygienist in Northern Cape

Thank you ?