occupational health and safety report: september 2013 monthly report fatal... · occupational...

Occupational Health and Safety Report:

September 2013

1

1. OVERALL FATALITIES PER MONTH

During the month of September 2013, three (3) fatalities were reported. However, from

January to September 2013 a total of 67 mine workers were fatally injured whilst during the

same period in 2012 a total of 79 mine workers were fatally injured. This translates to a

reduction of 15% year on year.

.

2. STATISTICS OF FATALITIES BY REGION.

The table below illustrates the progressive performance of each region with regard to

fatalities. During the month of September 2013, seven (7) of the ten (10) regions managed

to mine without a fatality.

WC NC FS EC KZN MPU LP GP

NW-

KD

NW-

RB TOT

Jan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2

Feb 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 2 6 15

Mar 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 8

Apr 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 8

May 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 4 8

June 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3

July 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 3 0 3 10

Aug 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 0 3 10

Sept 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 3

Total 0 2 5 1 2 8 5 17 3 22 67

13

11 12

3

9

16

7

3

5

8

12 13

2

15

8 8 8

3

10 10

3

JAN

FEB

MA

R

AP

R

MA

Y

JUN

JUL

AU

G

SEP

OC

T

NO

V

DEC

All mines

Actual fatalities per month 2012/13

2012

2013


September 2013

2

3. ANALYSIS OF FATALITIES BY COMMODITY

For the purpose of the analysis, commodities are grouped into gold (AU), platinum (PT),

coal (CL) and other mines (i.e. chrome, manganese, diamonds, stone, sand, brickworks,

etc).

3.1 The comparison of fatalities year to date as reflected on the graph below shows an

improvement in gold, coal and platinum sectors of 22%, 38%, and 5% respectively,

whilst other mines show a regression of 9%.

.

3.2 During September 2013, the gold, platinum and other mines sectors reported one (1)

fatality each, while the coal sector reported none, whilst in September 2012 only the

gold sector had reported four (4) fatalities.

.

37

8

22

11

29

5

21

12

AU CL PT OTHER

All mines Actual fatalities per commodity

Jan - September

2012

2013

4

0 0 0 1

0 1 1

AU CL PT OTHER

All mines Actual fatalities per commodity

Sep-12

Sep-13


September 2013

3

4. ANALYSIS OF FATALITIES BY CLASSIFICATION

FATALITIES

Period January to September 2013

.

4.1 Falls of ground (33%)

There were twenty two (22) fatalities reported due to falls of ground in 2013. Twelve

(12) of these fatalities occurred at Platinum mines, nine (9) at Gold mines and one (1) at

Other mines.

There was one (1) fatality that occurred in Platinum mine that was reported in

September 2013.

4.2 Struck by (10%)

There were seven (7) fatalities reported in this category this year. These occurred at

Gold sector five (5), and two (2) at a Platinum sector. No fatalities in this category were

reported in September 2013.

4.3 Trackless mobile machines (13%)

There were nine (9) fatalities reported in this category this year. Two (2) trackless

mobile machine fatalities at Coal mines, two (2) at Platinum mines and five (5) at Other

mines. No fatalities in this category were reported in September 2013.

4.4 Railbound (5%)

There were three (3) fatalities reported in this category this year and none were reported

in September 2013.

fog 33%

Struck by 10%

TMM 13%

Rail bound 5%

Mach 9%

Fall from 10%

Heat sick 6%

Exp 3%

Elect 3%

Misc 8%


September 2013

4

4.5 Machinery (9%)

There were six (6) fatalities reported this year and none were reported in September

2013.

4.6 Fell From or in (10%)

There were seven (7) fatalities reported this year. One (1) was reported in September

2013 when a worker fell into a crusher.

4.7 Electricity (3%)

There were two (2) fatalities reported this year and none were reported in September

2013.

4.8 Explosives (4%)

There were two (2) fatalities reported so far this year and none were reported in

September 2013.

4.9 Miscellaneous (8%)

There were five (5) fatalities reported so far this year. One (1) fatality was reported in

September 2013.

4.10 Fatalities and injuries of Female Workers

15 11

14 13

25 26

39

57

80

45

59

89

81

46

1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 4 3

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013Jan -Sep

Injuries

Fatalities


September 2013

5

4.11 Classification of Female Workers Injuries

5 FATALITIES AND INJURIES.

5.1 FATALITIES

Gold Mines Jan – Sep 2012 Jan – Sep 2013

Harmony 10 10

Bambanani 1 0

Harmony Surface Operations 1 2

Masimong 0 0

Khusasalethu 2 3

Phakisa 0 1

Evander 8# 1 0

Randfontein Operations 3 3

Doornkop 0 1

Joel 2 0

Sibanye 13 7

Driefontein 8 3

Beatrix 5 2

Kloof 0 2

Fall of ground 6% Machinery

3% Transportation

and mining 18%

General 66%

Conveyance accidents

2%

Electricity 1%

Miscellanous 4%

2000 - September 2013


September 2013

6

AngloGold Ashanti 10 5

Moab Khotsong 2 1

Mponeng 3 3

Savuka 2 0

Tautona 2 1

Great Noligwa 1 0

Goldfields 0 1

South Deep 0 1

Barberton Gold Company 1 3

Sheba 0 2

Fairview 1 1

Other Gold Mines 4 3

Buffelsfontein 6# 1 1

Ezulwini (First Uranium) 0 1

Tau Lekoa (Village Main Reef) 1 1

New Kleinfontein 1 0

Lancaster 1 0

Anglo Platinum 8 5

Union : Spud 2 1

Dishaba 1 0

Khuseleka (Angloplats/Royal Bafokeng) 2 1

Mogalakwena 2 0

Rustenburg Concentrator 1 0

Bathopele 0 2

Tumela 0 1

Impala 5 3

Impala 1# 0 1

Impala 2# 1 0

Impala 4# 1 0

Impala 9# 1 0

Impala 10# 0 1

Impala 14# 1 0

Impala 20# 0 1

Marula 1 0

Lonmin 1 3

Lonmin 1 3


September 2013

7

Other Platinum Mines 8 10

Barplats (Eastern Platinum) 0 1

Two Rivers Platinum mine 1 0

Maseve (Wesizwe) 0 1

Modikwa (Angloplats/ARM JV) 2 0

Royal Bafokeng 1 1

Bokoni (Anooraq Corporation) 1 3

Kroondal (Aquarius) 1 1

Simunye (Aquarius) 1 0

Northam 1 2

Tharisa 0 1

Coal Mines Jan – Sep 2012 Jan – Sep 2013

Anglo Coal 2 3

Greenside 1 1

Kromdraai (Landau) 1 0

Goedehoop 0 1

New Denmark 0 1

TOTAL COAL 1 0

Dorstfontein 1 0

SASOL 1 0

Middelbult Colliery 1 0

BHP Billiton 2 0

Khutala (BHP Billiton) 1 0

Wolwekrans (BHP Billiton) 1 0

Other Coal Mines 2 2

Vuna Colliery 0 1

Savmore Colliery 1 1

Matla Colliery 3 (Exxaro) 1 0


September 2013

8

Other mines 11 12

Petra: Kimberley Mines 1 0

Mooihoek Chrome 1 0

Portland Quarry 1 0

Xstrata (Magareng) 0 1

Laman Quarry 0 1

RMDC (Assore) 0 1

SAMANCOR (Mooinooi) 0 0

Millsell Chrome 0 0

Platistone 1 0

Silicon Smelters 2 0

Lafarge: Polokwane 1 0

Western Chrome Mines 0 2

Bridgetown Limestone 1 0

Corobrik: Odendaalsrust Quarry 1 0

Foskor 0 1

Valentine Julius Diamond Diggings 1 0

Black Mountain 0 1

Pietermaritzburg Quarry 0 1

OMV Crushers 0 1

Ingula Pumped Storage 0 1

Buffels (SAMANCOR) 0 1

Highveld Crushers 0 1

Sishen Iron Ore Mine 1 0

TOTAL 79 67


September 2013

9

5.2 MINE INJURIES

The table below reflects the number of injuries that were reported during the period January to

September 2013, per commodity.

Injuries*

Actual

01/01/2012 -

30/09/2012

01/01/2013 -

30/09/2013 % change

Total 2676 2128 -20

Gold 1236 811 -34

Coal 200 176 -12

Platinum 1023 982 -4

Other 217 159 -27

The table below reflects the number of injury accidents that were reported during the period

January to September 2013, per the classification of the accident

Injuries

01/01/2012 - 30/09/2012

01/01/2013 -

30/09/2013 % Impr.

FALL OF GROUND 524 354 -32

Rockburst 111 72 -35

Strainburst 62 36 -42

Gravity 351 246 -30

MACHINERY 188 139 -26

Conveyor belts 31 24 -23

Drives, belts, chains 13 13 0

Portable power tools 111 84 -24

Other 33 18 -45

RAILBOUND EQUIPMENT 193 150 -22

Locomotive 44 25 -43

Locomotive drawn vehicle 48 40 -17

Rerailing 20 16 -20

Coupling/uncoupling 31 28 -10

Rocker arm shovel 23 12 -48

Personal transport 10 9 -10

Endless rope 0 1 100

Hand trammed 13 13 0


September 2013

10

Other (transport) 4 6 50

WINCHES 126 108 -14

Scraper winch installation 90 77 -14

Single drum winch 12 19 58

Double drum winch 14 8 -43

Mono rope/rail 10 4 -60

TRACKLESS MOBILE MACHINES 145 121 -17

Mechanical loaders 14 9 -36

Tractor/trailer 6 7 17

Coal mining machines 7 2 -71

Transporters 46 30 -35

Motor vehicles 21 16 -24

T&M lifting machines 28 24 -14

T&M mobile drilling machines 17 23 35

Other TMM 6 10 67

GENERAL 1394 1160 -17

Fall of material/rolling rock 207 281 36

Manual handling of material 349 318 -9

Manual handling of mineral 59 40 -32

Falling in/from 38 30 -21

Slipping and falling 345 291 -16

Burning and scalding 26 20 -23

Splinters 30 17 -43

Dust, gas and fumes 219 49 -78

Inundation/drowning 2 2 0

Struck by ventilation door 14 14 0

Struck by any object manual handling 105 98 -7

Conveyance accidents (s/w) 16 23 44

Electricity (Not causing fires) 17 16 -6

Fires 4 2 -50

Explosives 14 6 -57

Subsidence/caving 2 0 -100

Heat sickness 3 2 -33

Miscellaneous 50 47 -6

Total 2676 2128 -20


September 2013

11

6. SECTION 54 TRANSGRESSIONS REPORTED DURING THE MONTH

The graph below shows the percentages of transgressions listed on the 54 Instructions issued

during month of September 2013.

.

6.1 Mining and transportation (22%)

Transgressions in this category accounted for most of the transgressions during the month of

September 2013. The areas covered were:

Conveyor belts were not fitted with automated alarm, at two separate operations;

Tripwire was not installed safely;

Guarding on moving parts of conveyor belt installation were not adequate;

Non operational tripwires on conveyors; and

No start-up alarm on conveyor belts.

6.2 General (17%)

The areas covered in this category of transgressions were:

Travelling ways not fully equipped, sockets not plugged and footwall not cleaned;

Poor stacking of material on the gully shoulders;

Working place was found not to have a waiting place, no working plans and no legal

documents; and

A working place underground was found not to have a waiting place, no working plans

and no legal documents.

6.3. Machinery (13%)

TMM 9%

Mining and Transportation

22%

Appointments 9%

Machinery 13%

Electrical 13%

Refuge Bays 4%

General 17%

Support 9%

Ventilation 4%

All mines Section 54 Transgressions reported

September 2013


September 2013

12


No records of safety harness inspection;

No pressure test certificate was found for a compressor; and

Incorrect Load Test Certificates for tower cranes were found.

6.4. Electrical (13%)


There were no earth leakage test records;

DB box was not properly locked; and

Tripwire was not installed safely.

6.5. Appointments (9%)


Rock engineering competent person in terms of MHSA Regulation 14.8 was not

appointed; and

The blaster at a small operation was not appointed.

6.6. Support (9%)

The areas covered in this category of transgressions was that:

Grossly substandard support; and

Missing and damaged support not replaced.

6.7. Refuge Bays (4%)

The area covered in this category of transgressions was that:

Refuge Bays underground were not found to be complying with the mine standards at a

gold mine.

6.8. TMM (Trackless Mobile Machinery) (9%)

The area covered in this category of transgressions was that:

The operator was found without a valid license, no pre-use checklist and the brakes were

not efficient; and

No pre-use checklists completed for TMM, at a small operation.


September 2013

13

7. OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE AT MINES

7.1 OVERVIEW

There has been an improvement on the number of reporting mines for both occupational

hygiene exposures and occupational diseases, though there is a difference in the actual number

of mines that submitted Occupational Hygiene Statutory Returns and Annual Medical Reports

(AMRs). The analysis of data is based on received occupational hygiene statutory returns and

AMRs.

The accuracy of data used to compile the report remains a challenge for the sector since some of

the mines did not submit their reports as per the requirement of the Mine Health and Safety Act,

1996.

The mining industry has to realize that the improvement of Occupational Health (OH)

performance requires a more focused approach, a significant commitment and a

multidisciplinary effort to address OH and working conditions.

The occupational hygiene stressors remain a challenge although an improvement has been

recorded in terms of compliance from 2011 to 2012. The overexposures to occupational hygiene

stressors in A and B classification bands remain a challenge.

In 2012 the number of initial medical surveillance examinations conducted decreased, whilst the

figure of both periodic and exit medical examinations conducted increased compared to the

previous year.

In the gold mines, the total amount of occupational diseases reported decreased. The quantity of

reported pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), Silico-tuberculosis (Sil+TB), Noise Induced Hearing

Loss (NIHL) decreased whilst the number of silicosis and other diseases slightly increased.

In the platinum sector, the total number of occupational diseases reported decreased. However

there was an increase of number of silicosis and other diseases reported. There was only one

case of Silico-tuberculosis (Sil+TB) reported, Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) increased by

one case and Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (CWP) cases increased by four. The number of

PTB cases slightly decreased and there was no Asbestosis case reported during the year under

review.

In the coal mines, the total figure of occupational diseases reported decreased. However, the

quantity of silicosis other diseases reported increased. The figure of Noise Induced Hearing

Loss (NIHL) cases appreciably decreased, whilst the number of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB)

and Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (CWP) slightly decreased.

In diamond mines the total figure of occupational diseases reported showed an insignificant

increase from 20 to 29 cases.


September 2013

14

In other mines the total number of occupational diseases reported increased, however, silicosis

cases reported decreased significantly. The quantity of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), Noise

Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (CWP), Asbestosis and other

diseases reported showed a slight increase, whilst the number of Silico-tuberculosis (Sil+TB)

cases reported decreased by one case.

During the period under review, most of the appeals received were lodged as a result of

tuberculosis (TB), Injury complications, hearing loss, vision related problems and other

diseases. Other diseases in this case are related but not limited to lung and heart diseases,

diabetes and psychiatric illnesses. Some appeals were based on compensation complaints,

which are not dealt with under the MHSA. In terms of appeal findings, 75% of appellants were

found to be unfit to perform work in a mine, while 25% were found to be fit.

Improved compliance to the provisions of MHSA, especially in relation to accurate statutory

reporting within the prescribed timeframes, adherence to the hierarchy of controls in the

management of occupational hygiene stressors, management implementation of risk-based

medical surveillance system, as well as linkage of occupational hygiene measurements to each

employee’s records of medical surveillance is essential to achieve the occupational health

milestones set in 2003.

Occupational Hygiene

% Exposure to Airborne Pollutants per Classification Band per Commodity - 2012

0102030405060708090

100

GO

LD

COA

L

CHRO

ME

DIA

MO

ND

S

COPPER

IRON

-ORE

PGM

Other

Total RSA

% Heg A

% Heg B

% Heg C


September 2013

15

Both per regional and per commodity over exposures to airborne pollutants for the year 2012 in

the A and B classification bands are 6% and 27.4 % respectively, as compared to the previous

year exposures of 5.8% and 21.6% .

More focus is still required on the controls, thus mines must still address the risks in these bands

as recommended in the Chief Inspector of Mines Guideline for the compilation of a mandatory

code of practice for an Occupational Health Programme on personal exposure to Airborne

Pollutants, Reference Number 16/3/2/4-A1. A concerted multidisciplinary effort is required as

well as sharing of best practices to control and reduce dust at source.

% Compliance to Respirable Cristaline Silica (<0.10mg/m3)

The analysis of data is based on 343 mines that submitted statutory returns suggests that the

industry achieved 92% for the 2012 reporting period, compared to 89% in 2011 towards the

achievement of the 95% compliance target set in 2003. The samples that were below the 0.1

mg/m3ᶟ in 2012 were 3535 and in 2011 were 1717 giving the improvement of 105.9%. There is

still more to be done in order to achieve the 2013 milestones as set out in 2003.

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

2009 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012

Exposure level

%Compliance Target


September 2013

16

% Exposure to Noise per Exposure Classification band per Commodity – 2012

The Chrome, Platinum and Copper commodities have exposures ranging from 4% to 13% in the

A classification band, with Gold, Coal and Chrome having exposures ranging from 75 to 80%

in noise levels in the B classification band.

% Exposure to Thermal Stress /Heat per Classification band per Commodity – 2012

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

GOLD

COAL

CHROME

COPPER

DIAMONDS

IRON-ORE

PLATINUM

GROUP M

ETALS

Other

Total RSA

% Heg A

% Heg B

% Heg C

0102030405060708090

100

GOLD

COAL

CHROM

E

COPPER

DIAMO

NDS

IRON-O

RE

PGM

Other

% Heg A

% Heg B

% Heg C

% Heg D


September 2013

17

Occupational Diseases as reported on Gold mines’ Annual Medical Reports for 2011 and

2012

Occupational Diseases as reported on Platinum mines’ Annual Medical Reports: 2011 and

2012

Occupational Diseases as reported on Coal mines’ Annual Medical Reports: 2011 and

2012

0500

10001500200025003000350040004500

Sil PTB Sil+TB NIHL CWP Asb Other Total

Year 2011 Year 2012

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

Sil PTB Sil+TB NIHL CWP Asb Other Total

Year 2011 Year 2012

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Sil PTB Sil+TB NIHL CWP Asb Other TOTAL

Year 2011 Year 2012


September 2013

18

Occupational Diseases as reported on Diamond mines’ Annual Medical Reports: 2011 and

2012

Occupational Diseases as reported on Other Mines’ Annual Medical Reports: 2011 and

2012

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Sil PTB Sil+TB NIHL CWP Asb Other TOTALYear 2011 Year 2012

0

100

200

300

400

500

Sil PTB Sil+TB NIHL CWP Asb Other TOTAL

Year 2011 Year 2012


September 2013

19

Diseases reported in 2012 for appeals

In 2012, appeals were commonly lodged against the following diseases: tuberculosis, vision,

hearing loss, injuries and other diseases. Tuberculosis is highly disputed by employees as most

of them do not accept the fact they could be medically incapacitated due to a curable disease.

Some employees respond well to TB treatment, while others don’t, but end up with

complications which lead to disability and ultimately medical boarding due to ill health.

Other diseases that employees appeal against are the following but not limited to:

Cardiovascular diseases (heart related diseases), Psychiatric disorders (mental illness) HIV

related illnesses and Substance abuse.

There were fewer appeals based on Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease. This

might be due to under-diagnosis or the two diseases are not regarded as occupational diseases

3%

12%

12%

16%

0%

10%

17% 1%

18%

11% Heat stress

Vision

Hearing Loss

Injury

Asthma/ COAD

Diabetes/ Hypertension

Tuberculosis

Silicosis

Other Diseases

Epilepsy


September 2013

20

8. STATUS REPORT ON THE MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY COUNCIL (MHSC)

AWARD SCHEME 2013

No Mine Award Date recorded Last fatality 1 Magdalena Colliery Thousand (3) 04/01/2013 04/04/2007 2 Mototolo: Borwa

Platinum Thousand: (1)

04/01/2013 18/10/2011

3 Optimum Colliery Million (4) 07/01/2013 22/12/2009 4 Kriel Colliery Surface

operations Thousand (35)

08/01/2013 Never

5 Lonmin Karee Mine Million (6) 11/01/2013 05/04/2011 6 Zibulo Colliery Thousand (3) 14/01/2013 Never 7 Impala Platinum 14

Shaft Million (1) 16/01/2013 16/03/2012

8 Impala Platinum 10 Shaft

Million (1) 16/01/2013 03/04/2013

9 Lonmin Middelkraal Mine

Million (3) 25/01/2013 14/03/2011

10 Namakwa Diamonds Thousand (1) 28/01/2013 15/10/2008 11 Harmony Target Million (1) 16/02/2013 17/04/2008 12 Kriel Colliery Northwest

Shaft Thousand (4) 21/02/2013 14/08/2006


Million (2) 01/03/2013 03/08/2008


Million (1) 05/03/2013 12/04/2013

15 Mooiplaats Colliery Thousand (3) 06/03/2013 17/07/2009 16 Crown Mines Thousand (1) 15/03/2013 12/04/2012 17 Forzando Colliery North Thousand

(14) 18/03/2013 12/03/1999

18 Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine

Million (2) 02/04/2013 06/02/2012

19 Xstrata Rietvly Silica Mine

Thousand (5) 02/04/2013 None

20 Marula Platinum Million (1) 09/04/2013 05/03/2012 21 Halfgewonnen Colliery Thousand (7) 10/04/2013 10/01/2006 22 Xstrata Waterval

Chrome Mine Thousand (7) 11/04/2013 21/10/2004

23 Weltevreden Colliery Thousand (2) 12/04/2013 Never 24 Kroondal Chrome Mine Thousand (5) 05/05/2013 11/10/2008 25 Impala Platinum 12

Shaft Million (4) 06/05/2013 14/10/2008

26 Two Rivers Platinum Million (1) 10/05/2013 21/01/2012 27 Trans Hex Baken Mine Thousand (4) 14/05/2013 29/07/2007 28 Kopanang Mine Million (2) 22/05/2013 30/11/2011

29 Shiva Uranium Mine Thousand (3) 30/05/2013 24/08/2010 30 Kriel Colliery Opencast Thousand

(14) 04/06/2013 19/02/2000

31 Mototolo: Lebowa Platinum

Thousand (6) 06/06/2013 Never


September 2013

21

No Mine Award Date recorded Last fatality 32 Vaalkrantz Colliery Thousand (6) 26/06/2013 01/12/2006 33 Kleinkopje Colliery Thousand (5) 08/07/2013 28/10/2006 34 De Beers: Kimberly

Mines Million (2) 15/07/2013 14/01/2005

35 New Vaal Colliery Thousand (8) 22/07/2013 09/03/2005 36 Dorstfontein West Coal

Mine Thousand (1) 31/07/2013 15/03/2012

37 Impala Platinum 4 Shaft Million (1) 18/08/2013 16/04/2012 38 Impala Platinum 11

Shaft Million (1) 28/08/2013 29/10/2012

39 Isibonelo Colliery Thousand (6) 06/09/2013 11/06/2005 40 Dwarsrivier Mine Million (2) 02/10/2013 09/01/2009

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