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technically, in terms of the
quality of the aggregate mined
and the final product sold, as
well as providing information
related to the production
process. Pienaar asserts that
a mine should have a quality
management programme in
place that is audited regularly.
Aspasa has developed such
a programme with links to
relevant methods, standards
and specifications.
Health and safety
Another Aspasa service is
to ensure its members are
legally compliant with health
and safety regulations. The
association’s liaison with
government is evident in the
stakeholders’ submission to
the Mining Occupational
www.quarryonline.co.za
Health & Safety Research
Programme. “Constant
contact with government at
all levels means members
are kept up to date with
legislation, permitting them
to mine within the parameters
set by the law. It also keeps
mining communities
informed,” says Pienaar.
One innovative project
has been Aspasa’s poster
campaign, which is designed
to be displayed on site on
mines wherever dangers
occur. “It’s a simple idea,
but one that we think will
be highly effective in raising
awareness and changing
behaviours. There really is no
excuse for our surface miners
not to order and display them
widely throughout their sites,”
he says.
The association initially
designed a limited number
of posters in response to
incidents. These were later
distributed throughout its
membership and the response
was overwhelming, says
Pienaar. Members ordered the
posters in great numbers and
this prompted the association
to develop a comprehensive
range of additional posters
covering all major risk
categories on surface mines.
It has also prompted the
development of other ranges
covering other important
topics such as environmental
and quality messages. In
order to ensure all issues are
covered, the association has
also appealed to the industry
to get involved and to provide
additional information or
ideas to be included in the
poster campaigns.
Environmental
matters
Aspasa hosts regular
environmental workshop
that give members an
overview of climate change
legislation that will need to
be complied with in future.
“On a day-to-day basis,
Aspasa works with members
on health and safety audits to
try and achieve zero fatalities
and avoid lost productivity
owing to injury.”
Aspasa has been widely
acknowledged as a leading
authority in the promotion
of health, safety and
environmental in southern
Africa and globally.
QUARRY SA | JULY/AUGUST 2019_5