Gold mining causes the most mine worker deaths in SA

Gold mining was found to be the biggest culprit when it comes to mine deaths as revealed by chairperson of the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) David Msiza during day one of a two-day-long occupational health and safety summit hosted by the MHSC and the minister of mineral resources Gwede Mantashe.

It is urgent for us to pay attention to health and safety of mineworkers and affected mining communities. Hence we moved forward the hosting of the Mine #HealthAndSafetySummit @DMR_SA & @MHSC_SA will host the Summit from tomorrow, 18 until 19 October 2018 in Benoni, Gauteng pic.twitter.com/uq8r1SOPla

— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) October 17, 2018

A joined statement released by the summit’s hosts claims that the aim of the summit is for stakeholders to “collectively assess progress made in attaining the objective of ‘every mine worker returning from work unharmed every day: striving for zero harm’ and derive solutions that will assist the industry to improve the current situation”.

Mantashe says the government aims to help the sector get to a point where there are no fatalities on the job.

Statistics shared during the first day of the summit in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, show that although gold mining claimed the most lives through fatal accidents, deaths in the sector have decreased when compared to the same period in the previous year.

WATCH: @MHSC_SA on mine safety progress report #HealthAndSafetySummit pic.twitter.com/WETHpZxcAu

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 18, 2018

Deputy Chief Inspector of mines, Mr X Mbonambi delivering an overview of OHS Performance.

"A total of 69 fatal accidents from 1 Jan 2018 to 16 Oct 2018 compared to 70 from 01 Jan 2017 to 16 Oct 2017"

We reiterate that working together we can save lives #HealthAndSafetySummit pic.twitter.com/KgAFWR1EBD

— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) October 18, 2018

While delivering his maiden address at the summit, Mantashe made a number of demands of those in attendance in an effort to motivate them all to work towards their common goal.

We must pay attention to the following: avoid putting pressure on workers pushing production targets, managers should not shout & threaten workers, managers should appreciate that this industry is about people & not just about minerals… #HealthAndSafetySummit

— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) October 18, 2018

Eagerness for promotion is another threat to the industry. People tend to cut corners. Their behaviour is responsible for accidents & disaster in the industry. We must talk a lot about behavioural issues in the industry #HealthAndSafetySummit

— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) October 18, 2018

Mantshe also alerted mine workers of their rights and insisted that there needs to be more education around that.

Workers are protected by the law to refuse to work in dangerous places. If owners don't educate their workers about that, unions must educate their members about that. #HealthAndSafetySummit

— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) October 18, 2018

The minister spoke at length about the role that equipment and infrastructure play in OH&S and called for the prioritisation of rehabilitation of these things.

Ownerless and derelict mines are a danger to society. We must prioritize rehabilitation #HealthAndSafetySummit pic.twitter.com/rJ6bWBE9Tr

— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) October 18, 2018

Delegates such as chairperson for the portfolio committee of mineral resources Sahlukile Luzipo, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, and Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel also spoke on the first day of the summit.

The summit will continue tomorrow at the Lakes Hotel in Benoni.

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