SamQuarz conducted two major safety campaigns in 2007: one on lockouts and the other on the code of practice for the operation of conveyor belts. The operation's code of practice on opencast slope stability was reviewed in order to ensure that high walls remain stable and safe as the mine deepens. In SamQuarz's innovative training shift -one eight-hour shift in every cycle of 40, amounting to 4% of the employees' time - operational and safety training are combined.
The operation holds monthly safety steering committee meetings attended by all key safety representatives - drawn from contractors, union members and management - in each working area. At these meetings, strategic issues relating to safety are addressed, including policies, procedures, codes of practice, accidents from other areas and specific problems relating to a particular work area. Monthly audits of mine safety are performed to ensure compliance with standards set as well as an annual audit and review of all codes of practice and safety procedures.
While SamQuarz's Reportable Injury Frequency Rate (RIFR) improved from 0.70 to 0.63 in 2007, its Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) deteriorated slightly from 1.06 to 1.26. All accidents were reviewed by the DME, and measures were put in place, as required, to prevent recurrences.
Occupational health surveillance programmes for employees, including personal dosimetry to silica dust, continued throughout 2007, with no reported cases of silicosis, tuberculosis or hearing loss. Dust emission surveys were conducted across the operation, their frequency exceeding the stipulation of the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME).
A number of initiatives were taken during 2007 to improve Springlake's safety performance. Operating procedures for underground equipment were reviewed. All underground operators were evaluated and refresher training was conducted. Four miners and five roofbolt operators completed the Competent A and Competent B strata control courses respectively. Additional training was introduced to ensure that safety officers are conversant with the requirements of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA). Nine safety representatives were trained.
Due to a change in the mine's annual reporting period - from January to December, to July to June - safety statistics are not directly comparable, year on year. From January to December 2006 and from July 2006 to June 2007, no fatalities were recorded. The mine's RIFR from July 2006 to June 2007 was 0.26 and from January to December 2006, 0.41. The LTIFR from July 2006 to June 2007 was 1.54 and from January to December 2006, 2.07.
In terms of occupational health, dust control measures continued to be applied to reduce the incidence of silicosis. To combat noise-induced hearing loss, a campaign is in place to reduce work zone noise below 83 decibels and where this is not possible, to enforce the use of hearing protection.
Primary health care is currently provided to all lower-income employees and a comprehensive medical scheme will be introduced in the near future.
A new safety and health management system will be introduced in the ensuing financial year to better align the mine's safety and health initiatives with the requirements of the MHSA.
Daily safety and production meetings are conducted and chaired by members of Somkhele’s management team. All safety risks are actively managed.
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