Implementation and enforcement of safety standards in the mining industry in South Africa: challenges and prospects

Abstract

In South Africa, during the then apartheid era, the mining sector had records of extremely high fatalities, injuries and occupational diseases that led to massive death of miners predominantly the Blacks. In the post-apartheid era, numerous laws have been enacted to address the problem. One of the laws that was introduced is the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 which provides for radical enforcement of health and safety standards using various mechanisms, such as monitoring systems and inspections, investigations, and employers' and employees' duties to identify hazards and eliminate, control and minimise the risk to health and safety of mine workers. This study examines the extent, efficient and efficacy of the implementation and enforcements of these laws and points out the challenges being encountered and prospects made thus far. The study used Australia and Chile for comparative study and showcased how the government and the laws they have passed are being effectively used to contain and curtail health hazards, accidents and fatalities in the mining environment.