PRESENTATION TO PPC OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

Presented by:Ms M A HermanusChief Inspector of MinesRepublic of South AfricaState of Occupational Health and Safety in South African Mines: April 2003-March 2004

DISCUSSIONSThe Minerals IndustryThe States RoleMine Health and Safety Inspectorate Health and Safety PerformanceOHS challengesPolicy and LegislationHuman ResourcesMatters of interestConcluding Remarks

MINERALS INDUSTRYLargest employer in the national economy followed by manufacturing

Contributed to establishment of countrys secondary industries

Major commodities: gold, diamond, coal and platinum

Minerals and mineral products exported to over 80 countries worldwide

STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRYMining 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

LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORKLegislative framework has undergone radical change since 1994.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.

STRUCTURE OF THE DMEMHSICIOMEnergy BranchDepartment of Minerals and EnergyMineral Development BranchREGIONSPIOMS x 9

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

SAFETY PERFORMANCE Industry employs 450 000 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 employeesOccupational health remains a challenge, outcomes and data.

FATAL INJURIES-ACTUALS

Sheet1

Actual fatalities

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOtherAll

199053151251958684

199146143371249602

199240746412928551

199342690292120586

199437154241815482

199541531451230533

199631545452929463

199727740531035415

19982524244226366

19992072839728309

200017331461223285

200118219491127288

200217520532619293

200314622581523264

Actual injuries

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOtherAll

199081834003871187429830

199175313703131377079058

199275873584251362898795

199373682794931042808524

199468882404161192717934

199562432358191312897717

19965909285905912367426

19975707270755852787095

19984648255785732986059

19994202207765672475488

20003549213638752584733

200133741707971422454728

20023288161659842614453

20033076186738602304290

Sheet2

Sheet3

FATAL INJURIES-RATES

M&T&Mgraphfats

0.450.160.190.330.2

0.140.240.190.290.07

0.110.280.130.380.21

0.140.260.120.420

0.130.20.120.50.14

0.10.20.110.270.41

0.150.180.170.380.13

0.160.220.180.250.43

0.120.180.160.20.22

0.090.220.120.180.22

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Other

Diamonds

RSA Machinery and transportation and mining accidents Fatality rates 1995 - 2004

M&T&Minjratesgraph

5.31.483.222.232.4920454798

4.571.883.71.311.9565169601

4.51.92.81.542.4094086214

4.911.72.551.872.2998629869

4.731.592.51.381.7224293332

4.191.191.921.32.0274379942

4.481.172.81.712.3463786081

4.651.262.311.672.1671407287

4.161.42.21.071.7750639023

4.131.552.341.291.7573132633

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSAMachinery and transportation and mining accidents Injury rates 1995 - 2004

MT&Mtable

Machinery, T&MMachinery, T&M

GoldCoalPlatinumOtherDiamondsGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther minesOther

19950.450.160.190.330.2019955.301.483.222.232.494494315112

19960.140.240.190.290.0719964.571.883.701.311.96454891389

19970.110.280.130.380.2119974.501.902.801.542.414191916101

19980.140.260.120.42019984.911.702.551.872.30408721794

19990.130.200.120.500.1419994.731.592.501.381.72423822173

20000.100.200.110.270.4120004.191.191.921.302.03443911290

20010.150.180.170.380.1320014.481.172.801.712.354517617106

20020.160.220.180.250.4320024.651.262.311.672.175168113112

20030.120.180.160.200.2220034.161.402.201.071.785633611100

20040.090.220.120.180.2220044.131.552.341.291.76563361099

AFAtratesgraph

1.250.530.280.850.9

1.210.480.440.570.84

1.130.650.491.530.54

1.231.570.361.460.44

1.080.960.321.180.87

1.270.530.580.790.67

1.040.750.611.890.64

0.950.720.660.70.83

1.080.730.540.130.64

0.980.510.450.480.66

0.910.540.510.820.52

0.990.380.550.70.6

0.970.440.561.610.37

0.80.450.520.840.41

0.730.530.450.840.43

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSA Fatality rates/1000 Employees: 1990 - 2004

Fatstable

CommoditiesFatality rates

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther mines

19901.250.530.280.850.90

19911.210.480.440.570.84

19921.130.650.491.530.54

19931.231.570.361.460.44

19941.080.960.321.180.87

19951.270.530.580.790.67

19961.040.750.611.890.64

19970.950.720.660.700.83

19981.080.730.540.130.64

19990.980.510.450.480.66

20000.910.540.510.820.52

20010.990.380.550.700.60

20020.970.440.561.610.37

20030.800.450.520.840.41

20040.730.530.450.840.43

FOGfatsgraph

0.680.170.060.310.1090427603

0.740.250.170.050.0170488449

0.730.240.20.260.0191901746

0.760.370.170.210.0222271616

0.610.160.20.070.1731801651

0.560.310.190.20.0667512182

0.630.390.310.330.1319000198

0.520.310.190.140.1192776545

0.610.310.2200.048933255

0.520.220.150.140.0235949224

0.550.210.250.140.0225270888

0.520.120.20.250

0.520.130.210.060.0386989416

0.50.160.210.060.1065038341

0.470.140.2300.1065038341

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSA Falls of ground Fatality rates 1990 - 2004

FOGINJgraph

5.920.890.831.080.3582833554

6.410.920.841.050.3239280539

6.591.041.20.740.4029936672

6.581.051.381.050.1778172927

6.190.831.240.860.3463603302

5.70.872.181.120.1112520303

6.181.063.010.850.3517333861

6.020.922.180.770.3816884945

6.590.782.560.810.2446662752

6.040.492.260.550.2831390685

5.470.821.670.690.3379063324

5.80.652.220.950.1328138835

5.450.541.710.680.1934947079

5.030.611.450.280.1597557512

5.060.761.590.170.1775063902

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSAFalls of ground Injury rates 1990 - 2004

FOGfatstable

Fall of ground fatalitiesFall of ground injuries

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther minesOtherGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther mines

19900.680.170.060.310.116419519905.920.890.831.080.36

19910.740.250.170.050.025865519916.410.920.841.050.32

19920.730.240.200.260.025211019926.591.041.200.740.40

19930.760.370.170.210.024499019936.581.051.381.050.18

19940.610.160.200.070.171732319946.190.831.240.860.35

19950.560.310.190.200.074494319955.700.872.181.120.11

19960.630.390.310.330.134548919966.181.063.010.850.35

19970.520.310.190.140.124191919976.020.922.180.770.38

19980.610.310.2200.054087219986.590.782.560.810.24

19990.520.220.150.140.024238219996.040.492.260.550.28

20000.550.210.250.140.024439120005.470.821.670.690.34

20010.520.120.200.250.004517620015.800.652.220.950.13

20020.520.130.210.060.045168120025.450.541.710.680.19

20030.500.160.210.060.115633620035.030.611.450.280.16

20040.470.140.2300.115633620045.060.761.590.170.18

FatalitiesInjuries

AllGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOtherAllGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther

199032428916577317199027262520867324232703

1991321282231411320199126332438837122192614

19923052651717513041992258623777410014212565

1993302263211431301199324672273601111582459

19942392119151323619942292213247941362286

1995222183181533219199521021860511691752097

19962471902323562411996218418686322413162168

19971921531715251871997201217595117511161996

19981811431818021791998181815424520912101808

1999137109121321136199915171276271948121505

20001421051222211412000126510434715010151250

20011239561840123200113171066321981561311

20021239462012121200211859782516111101175

200313091824161242003112091430162591111

2004125867260611920041148920371783101138

Injrategraph

19.214.164.415.2911.56

19.84.093.696.5412.05

21.045.045.097.185.55

21.344.876.127.256.22

204.265.497.836.43

19.13410.558.625.19

19.564.7712.175.946.63

19.534.889.425.957.29

19.874.439.64.95.83

19.93.788.94.615.81

18.623.77.125.145.42

18.373.438.959.045.21

18.313.57.025.25.2

16.923.86.63.374.08

16.984.047.143.544.33

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSA Injury rates 1990 - 2004

Injtable

CommoditiesInjury rates

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther mines

199019.214.164.415.2911.56

199119.804.093.696.5412.05

199221.045.045.097.185.55

199321.344.876.127.256.22

199420.004.265.497.836.43

199519.134.0010.558.625.19

199619.564.7712.175.946.63

199719.534.889.425.957.29

199819.874.439.604.905.83

199919.903.788.904.615.81

200018.623.707.125.145.42

200118.373.438.959.045.21

200218.313.507.025.205.20

200316.923.806.603.374.08

200416.984.047.143.544.33

Sheet3

FatalitiesInjuries

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsAllOtherOtherfatsrateGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsAllOther

1990531512519684580.90626199081834003871189830742908811.56

1991461433712602490.84553199175313703131379058707835112.05

1992407464129551280.5452319927587358425136879528985065.55

1993426902921586200.4456619937368279493104852428082446.22

1994371542418482150.87467199468882404161197934271766315.64

1995415314512533300.6750319956243235819131771728974286.43

1996315454529463290.644341996590928590591742623671905.19

1997277405310415350.833801997570727075585709527868176.63

199825242442366260.643401998464825578573605929857617.29

199920728397309280.662811999420220776567548824752415.83

2000173314612285230.522622000354921363875473325844755.81

2001182194911288270.6026120013374170797142472824544835.42

2002175205326293190.372742002328816165984445326141925.05

2003146225815264230.412412003307618673860429023040604.08

200400.0002004000.00

Labour

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsAllOtherOtherrates

199042590096226892862235269795964195633764

199138030289583840912105363368458655575029

199236066470769836731895458617052110534060

199334533757325805561438454259244990497602

199434354156250750001525450736817323490045

199532633958491775861519052254944943477606

199630387659275744871519049831745489452828

199729217055297801641427448382441919441905

199823394057585817341490342903440872388162

199921120054820859211453740886042382366478

200019063057505895751459739669844391352307

200118368049538890081571338311545176337939

200217957945944939091616738728051681335599

2003181810489601117451780941666056336360324

2004181810489601117451780941666056336360324

DISABLING INJURIES-ACTUALS

Sheet1

Actual fatalities

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOtherAll

199053151251958684

199146143371249602

199240746412928551

199342690292120586

199437154241815482

199541531451230533

199631545452929463

199727740531035415

19982524244226366

19992072839728309

200017331461223285

200118219491127288

200217520532619293

200314622581523264

Actual injuries

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOtherAll

199081834003871187429830

199175313703131377079058

199275873584251362898795

199373682794931042808524

199468882404161192717934

199562432358191312897717

19965909285905912367426

19975707270755852787095

19984648255785732986059

19994202207765672475488

20003549213638752584733

200133741707971422454728

20023288161659842614453

20033076186738602304290

Sheet2

Sheet3

DISABLING INJURIES-RATES

M&T&Mgraphfats

0.450.160.190.330.2

0.140.240.190.290.07

0.110.280.130.380.21

0.140.260.120.420

0.130.20.120.50.14

0.10.20.110.270.41

0.150.180.170.380.13

0.160.220.180.250.43

0.120.180.160.20.22

0.090.220.120.180.22

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Other

Diamonds

RSA Machinery and transportation and mining accidents Fatality rates 1995 - 2004

M&T&Minjratesgraph

5.31.483.222.232.4920454798

4.571.883.71.311.9565169601

4.51.92.81.542.4094086214

4.911.72.551.872.2998629869

4.731.592.51.381.7224293332

4.191.191.921.32.0274379942

4.481.172.81.712.3463786081

4.651.262.311.672.1671407287

4.161.42.21.071.7750639023

4.131.552.341.291.7573132633

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSAMachinery and transportation and mining accidents Injury rates 1995 - 2004

MT&Mtable

Machinery, T&MMachinery, T&M

GoldCoalPlatinumOtherDiamondsGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther minesOther

19950.450.160.190.330.2019955.301.483.222.232.494494315112

19960.140.240.190.290.0719964.571.883.701.311.96454891389

19970.110.280.130.380.2119974.501.902.801.542.414191916101

19980.140.260.120.42019984.911.702.551.872.30408721794

19990.130.200.120.500.1419994.731.592.501.381.72423822173

20000.100.200.110.270.4120004.191.191.921.302.03443911290

20010.150.180.170.380.1320014.481.172.801.712.354517617106

20020.160.220.180.250.4320024.651.262.311.672.175168113112

20030.120.180.160.200.2220034.161.402.201.071.785633611100

20040.090.220.120.180.2220044.131.552.341.291.76563361099

AFAtratesgraph

1.250.530.280.850.9

1.210.480.440.570.84

1.130.650.491.530.54

1.231.570.361.460.44

1.080.960.321.180.87

1.270.530.580.790.67

1.040.750.611.890.64

0.950.720.660.70.83

1.080.730.540.130.64

0.980.510.450.480.66

0.910.540.510.820.52

0.990.380.550.70.6

0.970.440.561.610.37

0.80.450.520.840.41

0.730.530.450.840.43

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSA Fatality rates 1990 - 2004

Fatstable

CommoditiesFatality rates

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther mines

19901.250.530.280.850.90

19911.210.480.440.570.84

19921.130.650.491.530.54

19931.231.570.361.460.44

19941.080.960.321.180.87

19951.270.530.580.790.67

19961.040.750.611.890.64

19970.950.720.660.700.83

19981.080.730.540.130.64

19990.980.510.450.480.66

20000.910.540.510.820.52

20010.990.380.550.700.60

20020.970.440.561.610.37

20030.800.450.520.840.41

20040.730.530.450.840.43

FOGfatsgraph

0.680.170.060.310.1090427603

0.740.250.170.050.0170488449

0.730.240.20.260.0191901746

0.760.370.170.210.0222271616

0.610.160.20.070.1731801651

0.560.310.190.20.0667512182

0.630.390.310.330.1319000198

0.520.310.190.140.1192776545

0.610.310.2200.048933255

0.520.220.150.140.0235949224

0.550.210.250.140.0225270888

0.520.120.20.250

0.520.130.210.060.0386989416

0.50.160.210.060.1065038341

0.470.140.2300.1065038341

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSA Falls of ground Fatality rates 1990 - 2004

FOGINJgraph

5.920.890.831.080.3582833554

6.410.920.841.050.3239280539

6.591.041.20.740.4029936672

6.581.051.381.050.1778172927

6.190.831.240.860.3463603302

5.70.872.181.120.1112520303

6.181.063.010.850.3517333861

6.020.922.180.770.3816884945

6.590.782.560.810.2446662752

6.040.492.260.550.2831390685

5.470.821.670.690.3379063324

5.80.652.220.950.1328138835

5.450.541.710.680.1934947079

5.030.611.450.280.1597557512

5.060.761.590.170.1775063902

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSAFalls of ground Injury rates 1990 - 2004

FOGfatstable

Fall of ground fatalitiesFall of ground injuries

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther minesOtherGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther mines

19900.680.170.060.310.116419519905.920.890.831.080.36

19910.740.250.170.050.025865519916.410.920.841.050.32

19920.730.240.200.260.025211019926.591.041.200.740.40

19930.760.370.170.210.024499019936.581.051.381.050.18

19940.610.160.200.070.171732319946.190.831.240.860.35

19950.560.310.190.200.074494319955.700.872.181.120.11

19960.630.390.310.330.134548919966.181.063.010.850.35

19970.520.310.190.140.124191919976.020.922.180.770.38

19980.610.310.2200.054087219986.590.782.560.810.24

19990.520.220.150.140.024238219996.040.492.260.550.28

20000.550.210.250.140.024439120005.470.821.670.690.34

20010.520.120.200.250.004517620015.800.652.220.950.13

20020.520.130.210.060.045168120025.450.541.710.680.19

20030.500.160.210.060.115633620035.030.611.450.280.16

20040.470.140.2300.115633620045.060.761.590.170.18

FatalitiesInjuries

AllGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOtherAllGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther

199032428916577317199027262520867324232703

1991321282231411320199126332438837122192614

19923052651717513041992258623777410014212565

1993302263211431301199324672273601111582459

19942392119151323619942292213247941362286

1995222183181533219199521021860511691752097

19962471902323562411996218418686322413162168

19971921531715251871997201217595117511161996

19981811431818021791998181815424520912101808

1999137109121321136199915171276271948121505

20001421051222211412000126510434715010151250

20011239561840123200113171066321981561311

20021239462012121200211859782516111101175

200313091824161242003112091430162591111

2004125867260611920041148920371783101138

Injrategraph

19.214.164.415.2911.56

19.84.093.696.5412.05

21.045.045.097.185.55

21.344.876.127.256.22

204.265.497.836.43

19.13410.558.625.19

19.564.7712.175.946.63

19.534.889.425.957.29

19.874.439.64.95.83

19.93.788.94.615.81

18.623.77.125.145.42

18.373.438.959.045.21

18.313.57.025.25.2

16.923.86.63.374.08

16.984.047.143.544.33

Gold

Coal

Platinum

Diamonds

Other mines

RSA Injury rates / 100 employees:1990 - 2004

Injtable

CommoditiesInjury rates

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsOther mines

199019.214.164.415.2911.56

199119.804.093.696.5412.05

199221.045.045.097.185.55

199321.344.876.127.256.22

199420.004.265.497.836.43

199519.134.0010.558.625.19

199619.564.7712.175.946.63

199719.534.889.425.957.29

199819.874.439.604.905.83

199919.903.788.904.615.81

200018.623.707.125.145.42

200118.373.438.959.045.21

200218.313.507.025.205.20

200316.923.806.603.374.08

200416.984.047.143.544.33

Sheet3

FatalitiesInjuries

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsAllOtherOtherfatsrateGoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsAllOther

1990531512519684580.90626199081834003871189830742908811.56

1991461433712602490.84553199175313703131379058707835112.05

1992407464129551280.5452319927587358425136879528985065.55

1993426902921586200.4456619937368279493104852428082446.22

1994371542418482150.87467199468882404161197934271766315.64

1995415314512533300.6750319956243235819131771728974286.43

1996315454529463290.644341996590928590591742623671905.19

1997277405310415350.833801997570727075585709527868176.63

199825242442366260.643401998464825578573605929857617.29

199920728397309280.662811999420220776567548824752415.83

2000173314612285230.522622000354921363875473325844755.81

2001182194911288270.6026120013374170797142472824544835.42

2002175205326293190.372742002328816165984445326141925.05

2003146225815264230.412412003307618673860429023040604.08

200400.0002004000.00

Labour

GoldCoalPlatinumDiamondsAllOtherOtherrates

199042590096226892862235269795964195633764

199138030289583840912105363368458655575029

199236066470769836731895458617052110534060

199334533757325805561438454259244990497602

199434354156250750001525450736817323490045

199532633958491775861519052254944943477606

199630387659275744871519049831745489452828

199729217055297801641427448382441919441905

199823394057585817341490342903440872388162

199921120054820859211453740886042382366478

200019063057505895751459739669844391352307

200118368049538890081571338311545176337939

200217957945944939091616738728051681335599

2003181810489601117451780941666056336360324

2004181810489601117451780941666056336360324

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERFORMANCE

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERFORMANCE

OHS CHALLENGESCulture Change values, systems, new methodologies e.g. behavioral safetyImproved management systems and new technologies: Rockfalls and RockburstsFires and explosionsMachinery and transport systemsPhysical hazards: noise and vibrationAirborne pollutants and diseases

CHALLENGES (cont.)Illegal MiningIncidents of criminals entering U/G mining operationsThreat to the profitability of opsSerious consequences to H&S

CURRENT OHS GOALS Mine Health and Safety summit: 2003, set the following milestones for the industryReduce fatalities and disabling injuries rates over 10 yearsGold : 50% Industry wide: 20%95% of measured exposures < OEL by 2008 and no new cases by 2013.85dBL by 2013.

POLICY AND LEGISLATIONSuccess dependant on tripartite structures of the MHSCSince 1996, 40 regulations and 14 guidelines developed.Impact of new legislation still needs formal assessment

RESEARCHMHSC support research into H&S at minesCurrent programme has identified 9 key areasSafety research cost increased from R102 per employee in 2002 to R107 per employee in 2003.

ENFORCEMENT CAPACITYStaff compliment: 141 inspectors + 52 adminVacancies: 33 for inspectors, 6 mid mgt, 2 admin supportFilling of posts remains a serious challenge due to unattractive remuneration packages

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

STAFF BREAK DOWN

CROSSCUTTING INTIATIVESHIV/AIDSSmall Scale MiningSkills development

Major AccidentsMponeng Explosion 1999: Finalised and Admin fine paidBeatrix Explosion 2000: Finalised and awaiting further action by prosecutorsBeatrix Explosion 2001: Evidence collation finalised, awaiting argument from legal reps.

Accident of Interest: Northam PlatinumFire broke out in Conveyor decline9-employees overcome by fumesSuspected cause: overheating of bearings that ignited conveyor beltAction takenOperations haltedNewsflash forwarded to minesArrangements for an inquiry being finalised

CONCLUSIONSSignificant progress in OHS in SA MinesHigh levels of serious death, injury and disease remain a problemWork on improving OHS must continue and intensify

THANK YOU!!!!

The South African Minerals industry is the largest industry, in terms of employment and impact on national economy, followed by manufacturing.

The industry largely contributed to the establishment of the countrys other secondary industries. Whereas the country hosts a large proportions of minerals of different types, the major contributors in terms of employment and export earnings are the Gold, Platinum, Coal and Diamond industries.

In 2003 alone, high quality minerals and minerals products were exported to 83 countries worldwide.The apartheid legislation of pre-1994 excluded the majority of South Africans from full and meaningfull participation of the industry.

Minerals rights were either owned by the State or the private sector farmers and large mining companies.

The Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2004 was enacted to address (1) Transformation of the industry, (2) promotion of equitable access to national minerals resources, (3) promotion of investment in exploration, mining and minerals beneficiation, (4) socio-economic development of SA and (5) environmental sustainability of the industry. With the dawn of a new political regime in 1994, drastic changes had to be introduced to align the mining industry legislation with the aspirations of the Republics constitution.

The Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 is one of the first laws that were introduced with the intention of adopting new order people-centred strategies of dealing with the challenges in the industry.

The MHSA, was introduced to ensure that people working on mines and those affected by mining activities are protected from the hazards associated with the industry, with the MHSI as the lead agent in administering and regulating safety and health at mines.

The DME is made up of three Branches.

The MHSI branch is under the leadership of the CIOM, who is a DDG and is appointed by the Minister to ensure that provisions of the Act are complied with.

There are 9 regional offices of the MHSI in each province headed by a PI.The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate was established in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996. with the objectives of (1) developing and maintaining an effective policy and enforcement framework, (2) reducing occupational injuries and ill-health, (3) improving information management and access to information (4) supporting cross-cutting initiatives of government and (5) participating fully in collaborative research and tripartite initiatives.The industrys safety performance improved in the 2003 calender year.

Regrettably, fatalities and injuries remain unacceptably high: 264 people lost their lives in 2003 compared to 293 in 2002, which represents a 19% decrease in number of deaths with an increase of 30 000 total labour force.

Gold mines still contributes significantly to the national mine safety stats followed by the platinum sector which contributed to 60% (18 000) increase in the labour force in the industry last year.

The coal sector perfromance is on par with international levels. These results reflect considerable effort on the part of the inspectorate and other stakeholders to halt deterioration in safety performance.

While reporting and collection of data on occupational diseases is still a fundamental concern, more resources are being applied to improving medical surveillance systems and to reduce dust and noise exposure through engineered solutions. Actual fatalities in the industry has decreased from 684 in 1990 to 264 in 2003.

Contraction in the Gold Sector lead to a decrease from 531 in 1990 to 146 in 2003

Whereas Platinum increased from 25 in 1990 to 58 1n 2003 due to the expansion experienced in the sector.

Coal decreased from 51 in 1990 to 22 in 2003 with similer trends in the other sector; from 58 to 23 during same period. In order to make the statistics more meaningful, rates per 1000 employees at work are used.

This indicates a reasonable downward trend amongst most of the commodities with diamond fluctuating up and down.

Note that, though the actual numbers in platinum has almost doubled, the trend indicates stagnationTotal disabling injuries decreased from 9830 in 1990 to 4290 in 2003.

Data collected from autopsy reports is used as a measure of occupational health performance.The slide shows the trend of fatality and injury rates on south african mines in rate per million hours worked. The general downward trend alluded to in the previous slide is shown here. SIMRAC considers research proposals that supports efforts to reduce health and safety risks at mines and oversees the reseaarch programmes. The current SIMRAC research programme consistsof research into nine key areas as shown on the slide.Incidents of illegal mining have been reported in the mining industry and this poses a serious threats not only the profitability of operations but the health and safety of employees.The biennial summit on mine health and safety as required by the Act was held in October 2003 and at the summit representatives from labour, employers and the state agreed on the following milestones that will necessitate steady improvement over the next decade, ending in December 2013 The current programme consists of research into nine key areas, namely: behavioural safety; rockfalls; rockbursts; fires and explosions; machinery and transport systems; airborne pollutants; physical hazards (such as noise and vibration); occupational diseases and special projects. In 2003/4, a total of R43,2 million was spent on research. This is the equivalent of R107 per mine employee per year, which is an improvement from R103 per employee from the R39,8 million spent in 2002/3.

Date of accident: 20 September 2004

Time: 00:35 (Last body removed at 14:30)

Fire broke out in 13 to 14 level conveyor belt decline

Conveyor belt burned

Conveyor belt 330 m long

Inclination 11O

Initial attempts to extinguish fire with portable fire extinguishers unsuccessful

Observation:Bearings on tension carriage failed and possibly overheated igniting belt

Action Stopped all operations for 19 daysNews flash forwarded to all mines