SAFETY
RISK AVOIDANCE
By Tarren Bolton
Working in mining is risky business, but improvements in safety result in preventable accidents.
S
outh Africa has a very well-
regulated mining industry,
and government has taken
a strong stance on mining
safety by expressing a commitment
towards increasing safety for
mineworkers.
While the greatest impact of
who vow to stop work for a day to
mark the death of colleagues.
Over a number of years, significant
gains have been made in improving
safety, and Plant Equipment &
Hire takes a look at some of the
preventable measures available to
help avoid accidents that should not
be allowed to erode the hard-earned
gains that have been made over time.
mining accidents can be found among
the victims and the family members
left behind, the impact also stretches
much further towards the mining
companies, other employees, and the
constant threat of mine closures and
job losses. Mining companies suffer
production losses after fatalities due
to routine shutdowns ordered by the
government for investigations and
work stoppages by union members
The main function of stop blocks is to stop the vehicle from moving, whether that means
on the side of the road or on a mine or dock waiting to load valuable stock.
www.plantonline.co.za
MAY 2019
27