Trade union Solidarity today said that although fatal accidents in South African mines declined by 8% in 2015, the loss of 77 lives in the mining industry is still regrettable. Moreover, the inadequate implementation of the industry’s occupational health and safety initiatives by smaller mining companies gives cause for concern, the trade union cautioned.

According to advocate Paul Mardon, head of Solidarity’s Division for Occupational Health and Safety, the number of fatal accidents in the gold and coal mines has dropped by 25% and 44% respectively in 2015. In contrast, the number of fatal accidents in platinum and other mines increased by 38% and 13% respectively.

“The overall decline in fatal mining accidents over the past decade can be attributed to the implementation of heightened safety measures and risk management control by the major multinational mining companies,” Mardon said.

“Nevertheless, there are still a number of smaller mining companies which do not participate in occupational health and safety programmes, which increases their mine accident risk. This is also evident from the fact that approximately 43% of all 2015’s mine fatalities occurred at the smaller mining companies,” he added.

Mardon also warned that continuous retrenchments and a loss of essential skills pose an increasing threat to the safety of mineworkers.

“The mining industry is a dangerous one to work in, as is evident by mortalities – mistakes cost lives. The troubled state the mining industry finds itself in at the moment poses heightened safety risks for workers due to the potential psychological impact of ongoing restructuring, coupled with the loss of essential skills in the industry,” Mardon said.

Mardon emphasised that it is essential that mining companies and mine workers focus on maintaining occupational health and safety standards amid turbulent times.

Issued by Solidarity