ASSOCIATIONS - ASPASA
Adopting a zero-harm approach
to safety
An inclusive approach to tackling safety
within the surface mining industry can
dramatically improve safety and limit the
amount of accidents on mines. By fostering
a caring attitude, training and behaving
proactively to avoid dangerous situations
companies can change the culture on their
mines to be completely safety orientated,
says Pienaar.
“In addition to legal compliance
and the association’s own safety
requirements, we are also encouraging
members to be proactive and use
information from the industry, as
well as their own experience to build
programmes that enhance safety.”
Here are seven keys to developing a
culture-based safety programme:
1. Governance
Policies relating to all aspects of
mining operation safety need to
be designed and implemented
across the board. These need to be
communicated to all stakeholders and
need to be policed to ensure they are
adhered to.
2. Risk management
No programme can be successful unless
all the risks on an individual mine have
been assessed and procedure put in
place to mitigate these risks. A good
risk management system should be the
corner stone of any safety programme.
3. Compliance
Fortunately, the laws of the country, as
well as common-sense common law
provides the minimum foundation
for any safety programme to be built
on. Compliance to these mean that
the main risks are covered and that
the programme can delve further into
creating a safety culture.
4. Culture intervention
All too often mine culture is based
on a ‘macho’ or get-the-job-done
at all costs culture. This needs
to be changed to adopt a more
caring approach with constant
reinforcement of safety messages.
5. Training
One of the best ways to invest
in employees is to offer ongoing
training that includes training on
workplace safety. Research reveals
that the cost of additional training
is outweighed by the benefits and
proves that it is better to be safe
rather than sorry.
6. Implementation targets
From top to bottom an
organisation needs to be
committed to implementing a
robust safety system that they are
confident will work for them. An
Aspasa to focus on technical
and quality issues in 2018
implementation schedule that
considers the complexity of the
operation should be developed and
adhered to.
7. Long-term success
It is important to remember that
maintaining a safety culture is
a marathon and not a sprint. It
involves a shift in thinking and
behaviour, which takes time to
reinforce. Where failings do occur,
it is also important to analyse
these and implement new plans to
improve safety.
“A programme such as this should be
done in addition to all legal and statutory
requirements and have the main purpose
of changing the culture of everyone
on each individual mine. It is not a
replacement for these requirements, but
rather an additional supplement that
further improves safety on our mines,”
Pienaar concludes. ■
“The decision to include other
surface mine types under the
Aspasa umbrella now gives
those who have not previously
been represented on formal
mining structures a strong
and unequivocal voice. It
also allows those with limited
manpower access to an array
of administrative, technical,
compliance and skills development
services,” says Aspasa director,
Nico Pienaar.
Aspasa serves on the Mine
Health and Safety Council
ASPASA CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: +27 (0) 11 791 3327
Fax: +27 (0) 86 647 8034
Email: [email protected];
[email protected]
Web: www.aspasa.co.za
(MHSC), on the Mine Regulations
Authority Committee (MRAC)
and on various sub-committees. It
also has a seat on the Chamber of
Mines and a close relationship with
concrete, bitumen, road and other
infrastructure bodies.
A new focus area for the
association is the Aspasa Technical
Committee. Technical and quality
issues are becoming more critical
as new techniques and methods
drive the supply of better more
efficiently obtained materials. A
quality standard has therefore been
developed for members and will be
rolled out in 2018.
The 13th edition of the Mine Health & Safety Act No.29 of 1996
and Regulations publication is available from Aspasa.
QUARRY SA | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 _ 35