THE MANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN MINING INDUSTRY: THE ROLE OF MINERALS COUNCIL SOUTH AFRICA

Transcription

1 Harmony Bambanani THE MANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN MINING INDUSTRY: THE ROLE OF MINERALS COUNCIL SOUTH AFRICA 3rd Conference and Exhibition on Occupational Health and Safety in Mines, Hilton Convention Centre, Istanbul Turkey Dr Sizwe Phakathi, Head: Safety & Sustainable Development 4 December

2 Initiatives undertaken by stakeholders to improve industry OHS performance A collaborative OHS journey 1996 Establishment of Leon Commission Introduction of Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) 1998 Establishment of the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) 2003 Agreement on 2013 Occupation Health and Safety (OHS) Milestones by stakeholders 2008 Development of Tripartite Action Plans to achieve OHS Milestones Establishment of MOSH Learning Hub within Minerals Council Regional Tripartite Health and Safety Forums 2010 OHS included in Mining Charter 2011 Approved Culture Transformation Framework for South African mining sector with 11 pillars to focus on behavioural aspects 2012 Established Minerals Council CEO Zero Harm Task Team 2014 Stakeholders agree 2024 milestones on OHS and launched Centre of Excellence Page 2

3 2024 Occupational Health and Safety Summit Milestones Objective Milestone Elimination of fatalities and injuries Every fatality is one too many: we will eliminate fatalities by December Elimination of occupational lung diseases Every mining company must have a target of ZERO FATALITIES. Up to December 2016, 20% reduction in Serious Injuries* per year. From January 2017, 20% reduction in Lost Time Injuries (LTI**) per year. To eliminate Silicosis: By December 2024, 95% of all exposure measurement results will be below the milestone level for respirable crystalline silica of 0.05 mg/m 3 To eliminate pneumoconiosis: By December 2024, 95% of all exposure measurement results will be below the milestone level for platinum dust respirable particulate of 1.5 mg/m 3 To eliminate Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis: By December 2024, 95% of all exposure measurement results will be below the milestone level for coal dust respirable particulate of 1.5 mg/m 3 (<5% crystalline silica) All the results are based on individual readings and not average results Page 3

4 2024 Occupational Health and Safety Summit Milestones Objective Elimination of noise-induced hearing loss Milestone Through the quietening of equipment: By December 2024, the total operational or process noise emitted by any equipment must not exceed a milestone sound pressure level of 107 db For the individual: By December 2016, no employee s Standard Threshold Shift (STS) will exceed 25 db from the baseline when averaged at 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz in one or both ears. Page 4

5 Current mine health and safety issues Minerals Council s view Fully committed to industry goal of Zero Harm through effective implementation of 2024 milestones on OHS approved by tripartite stakeholders at Mine Health and Safety Summit in November 2014 Progress made over the past two decades demonstrates Zero Harm is possible eliminating fatalities, and reducing injuries by 20% annually We are deeply disappointed by deterioration in safety performance 88 fatalities in 2017 (first regression in 10 years) in 2018, 18 fatalities from three disasters Sibanye-Stillwater (12) and Palabora (6) Improvements a direct result of various health and safety initiatives developed by industry in collaboration with tripartite stakeholders companies, unions and DMR Industry fully accepts its responsibilities in achieving Zero Harm, but this requires active collaboration between all parties Page 5

6 Number of fatalities per commodity Gold Platinum Coal Other All Reduction from 615 fatalities in 1993 to 73 in 2016 (88% improvement) Regressed in 2017 (88 fatalities) Page 6

7 Number of injuries per commodity Gold Platinum Coal Other All Injuries also declining, but slightly increased in 2015 and protracted platinum strike Page 7

8 Industry fatality frequency rate (per million hours worked) Page 8

9 Industry injury frequency rate (per million hours worked) Page 9

10 Comparison with global statistics (fatality rates/million hours) South Africa United States (US) Canada (Ontario) Australia SA industry safety performance comparable to international benchmarks, while taking cognisance of regression in 2017 Page 10

11 SA coal vs international safety benchmark Australia coal fatalities USA coal fatalities South Africa coal fatalities SA coal mines are safer than coal mines in the US Page 11

12 SA coal vs international safety benchmark South Africa coal Australia coal US coal SA coal mines are safer than coal mines in the US Page 12

13 Main contributors to mine disasters Rockburst Explosions Fires Shafts Rockfall (gravity) Page 13

14 Gravity and seismicity induced FOG fatalities Seismic Gravity TOTAL Page 14

15 Disasters at Harmony, Sibanye-Stillwater and Palabora Pockets of excellence in industry. Companies could learn from each other through peerreviews, adoption of leading practices and critical engineering controls Through Mine Health and Safety Council, more than R250 million spent on research into the seismicity associated with deep-level mines. Fatalities associated with seismicity reduced from 48 in 2003 to 12 in 2017 Minerals Council, in collaboration with the MHSC, established a Task Team to address challenges associated seismicity/rockbursts Fire disaster came at a time when the industry has been making progress in the prevention of fires (since Doornkop disaster in February 2014) Fire detection systems, fire suppression systems and emergency preparedness have been developed and shared with industry Guidelines developed by the MHSC on effective prevention of fires Page 15

16 Deep-level mining seismic events and falls of ground We are concerned about the increase in rockbursts (rockfalls have decreased) CEO Zero Harm Forum established Task Team to develop a summary of rockburst leading practices and share these with all companies involved in deep-level mining MHSC urged to accelerate research, and develop outcomes related to pre-conditioning and pillar designs where there are knowledge gaps MOSH Learning Hub facilitated Day of Learning on seismicity and identify relevant research needs participants (platinum and gold) unanimously expressed the need for preconditioning research to be conducted as depths increase Page 16

17 Deep-level mining seismic events and falls of ground MOSH held a workshop to consolidate Falls of Ground Management Systems/Industry Ground Control Framework submitted by companies workshop interrogated FoG trends, shared presentations on work-in-progress on industry FoG management systems, reviewed and critiqued current work, and determined required improvements leadership behaviour core to the success of the framework just Culture, an Enabling Environment and Enforcement in their determination of an appropriate ecosystem where industry ground control framework can thrive need for strategy for fall of ground management Page 17

18 Strategic OHS initiatives towards Zero Harm Page 18

19 CEO Zero Harm Forum CEO Zero Harm Forum, established in 2012, to: lead by example drive health and safety initiatives share experiences to help address key challenges to enable industry to achieve 2024 milestones and accelerate journey to Zero Harm Members of Forum meet quarterly to: develop a model for industry leadership at CEO level model visible leadership behaviour to demonstrate commitment share company experiences and help each other deal with and solve key challenges establish working protocols with industry stakeholders and communities monitor and agree to adjustments to industry models to suit specific needs The strategic focus has been on high-impact strategic areas aimed at: sharing learnings from successes and incidents promoting engineering controls to eliminate risks changing behaviour through culture transformation Page 19

20 Learning from incidents and critical control management of OHS risks Fall of ground and transport accidents have not reduced over last 5 years despite substantive efforts CEOs approved the establishment of Working Groups to: develop a Critical Control Management journey model facilitate sharing of learning from incidents Outcomes: a South Africanised Critical Control Management Journey Model to assess company maturity levels in terms of critical engineering control management implementation focusing on fall of ground and transport (trackless and rail-bound) bilateral meetings between Minerals Council individual companies OHS executives: to popularise the Critical Control Management Journey Model for use to prepare a list of critical controls for fall of ground and transport incidents investigate successes and high-potential incidents as part of learning from incidents Page 20

21 Learning from incidents and critical control management of OHS risks Going forward, Minerals Council recommends: a repository of case studies be established for broader sharing across the industry increase involvement in ICMM Risk Management Working Group dealing with Critical Control Management to prevent catastrophic events information sharing repository be created for companies to share flash reports and videos on high-potential incidents and investigations to avoid repeats Page 21

22 Addressing issues and key safety initiatives Page 22

23 Missing person locator system CEOs have been informed about MHSC s research on the development of a missing person locator system. In March 2018, findings and recommendations were reviewed by industry experts from gold and platinum mines, and Mine Rescue Services. Input from company experts incorporated into next phase for developing a system that will increase the reach to trapped miners as quickly as possible Page 23

24 Missing person locator system CEOs have been informed about MHSC s research on the development of a missing person locator system. In March 2018, findings and recommendations were reviewed by industry experts from gold and platinum mines, and Mine Rescue Services. Input from company experts incorporated into next phase for developing a system that will increase the reach to trapped miners as quickly as possible Alexia, add a pic of a miner to this page Page 24

25 Transport and machinery In 2017, CEO Zero Harm Forum initiated an R8 million project that will accelerate a risk-based approach through collaboration amongst mining companies, suppliers and MHSC Objectives: coordinate industry and provide necessary support to address regulatory requirements establish proximity detection systems testing facility, funded by the MHSC to enable new suppliers to create jobs and lower costs of ownership, whilst sustaining safety standards promote people-centrred change management (like MOSH adoption process) to enhance safety whilst reducing the impact on production, jobs and government revenue Case study of a typical quarry road system developed to show a picture of before and after the application of principles of separation and controlled movement of vehicles. Page 25

26 Dust and noise Anglo American has shared leading practice on continuous real-time monitoring and control (CRTM) of dust Some gold mines have agreed to trials of controls linked to real-time dust monitoring. Sasol Mining presented a case study where the implementation of a dust monitoring system proved unsuccessful and costly to the organisation successful adoption of the tool was achieved when the MOSH Adoption Leading Practice Adoption System was used Successful pilot at Harmony s Doornkop Mine recorded benefits: monitors allow the mine to understand the problem and fine tune engineering controls maintenance crews learnt that effectiveness of engineering controls is monitored by alarms from surface - now, fogging spray systems are maintained daily continuous identification of new recruits who require training on CRTM and benefits, is showing sustainability more employees moving from milestone homogenous exposure group (HEG) B (Exposures < mg/m3) to HEG C (Exposures < mg/m3) Industry-wide planning workshop held evaluating 22 potential practices and eventually select a set of 6 noise leading practices Page 26

27 Changing behaviour through culture transformation CEO Zero Harm Forum and other Minerals Council committees being involved in implementation of initiatives of industry s Culture Transformation Framework In line with the Culture Transformation Framework, the industry is: improving accident investigation methods modifying bonus systems to further prioritise safety intensifying visible-felt leadership approaches which have already had positive impacts in some companies MHSC Information Management System Progress made in piloting system and members have agreed to support this initiative Minerals Council s OHS Policy Committee and Health Policy Committee have actively participated and provided much-needed guidance in the piloting of this milestone reporting system Page 27

28 MOSH Leading Practices Safety (FOG) Leading Practice Description Benefits Trigger Action Response Programme (TARP) Ledging Nets with Bolts Drilling and blasting The level of risk is coded and pre-classified in terms of the risk in poses, namely - minor risk, moderate risk and high risk. Once a risk is identified, a remedial process is triggered which will escalate the problem to the appropriate level required to deal with the risk. It entails the set up phase of various forms of ledging (up-dip,down-dip, breast, checker-board, wide-raising or wide-winzing) to ensure the safe, sustainable and productive extraction of ore from a stope which is to follow. Installation of nets and bolts from the hangingwall in tabular, narrow stoping width of up to 2 metres in underground mines without shales. Improve the quality of marking, drilling, charging, stemming, and blasting. Employees are provided with a formal way to withdraw from dangerous workplaces. Improved multi-disciplinary planning process underpinned by proper leadership and communication behaviour. Reduce the number of uncontrollable rockfalls. Nets provide area protection from hangingwall rockfalls. Page 28

29 MOSH Leading Practices Safety (T&M) Leading Practice Description Benefits Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) Traffic Management Different types of operating scenarios: Hard Rock Railbound Equipment (loco to loco). Coal Underground Trackless (Vehicle to Person). Hard Rock Underground Trackless Mobile Machinery (Vehicle to Vehicle & Vehicle to Person). It entails the establishment, maintenance (including adherence to all controls) and improvement of the traffic management system on the operation. Visual / audible warning to operator to retard if operator does not respond loco stops Warning, automatic retarding and stopping Audible and visual warning Safe movement of people and vehicles on the operation. Page 29

30 MOSH Leading Practices Health (noise & dust) Leading Practice Description Benefits Continuous real-time monitoring of airborne pollutant engineering controls Scraper Winch Covers Multistage Filtration System Industry Buy and Maintain Quiet Initiative (IBMQI) Monitoring instruments are place strategically at identified sources of an airborne hazard and plugged into an existing telemetry network to monitor the ambient air condition continuously in real-time. Ensures that the winch drum guard of existing winches are covered using a non-inflammable material that conforms to applicable standards. Ensures that contaminated air is extracted by means of a fan through the filtration unit at a rate of 5 m³/s, whereby it undergoes three stages of filtration. It is a noise source elimination initiative aimed at managing the noise hazard at the machine design phase involving a collective demand from the industry to nudge OEMs / Suppliers to focus their efforts on noise reduction as part of their product development. Reduce the impact of harmful airborne pollutants at source. Protect workers from exposure to the hazards. Improve air quality to protect workers from exposure to the hazards Agreement reached on standardized noise measurement methodology. Engagements with OEMs / Suppliers have commenced. Page 30

31 Concluding remarks Ivanplats Mokopane Page 31

32 Concluding remarks Committed to achieving the goal of Zero Harm Industry plateauing trend in safety performance a great concern Need to effectively implement health and safety milestones Focus on behaviour empowerment of frontline supervisors and employees People-centred adoption and implementation of technology and innovation Ensuring safety and health of all mining employees requires active collaboration between all parties including management, employees and regulators Only by working together can we ensure that each and every employee returns home unharmed at the end of every day On 17 August 2018, the Minerals Council and its member-companies launched National Health and Safety Day in Mining month-long health and safety campaign in various mining operations Page 32

33 Concluding remarks Committed to achieving the goal of Zero Harm On 17 August 2018, the Minerals Council and its member-companies launched National Health and Safety Day in Mining month-long health and safety campaign in various mining operations Page 33

34 Thank you Dr Sizwe Phakathi, Head: Safety & Sustainable Development 4 December 2018 T E info@mincosa.org.za W 5 Hollard Street, Johannesburg, 2001, PO Box 61809, Marshalltown