Promoting Zero Harm, Sustainable Labour Practices, and Responsible Mine Operation

SAMRASS

The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate revisited the entire system of accident reporting and record-keeping in the South African Mines Reportable Accidents Statistical System [SAMRASS] system. In order to produce a good quality statistical product in line with the needs and requirements of the users this system was established in 1988 subject to the conditions embodied in the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 as amended and the relevant regulations. 

The correct description of accidents or dangerous occurrences is of utmost importance if the statistics produced from these reports are to be meaningful. It is therefore important that mines: 

• Use the appropriate coding as per the Download resources when reporting accidents and dangerous occurrences. 

• Complete the prescribed Download resources when reporting accidents and dangerous occurrences at a mine. 

Contact us: mhsi@dmpr.gov.za 

Download resources below

Fatality and injury rate trends

The fatality and injury frequency rate trends per million hours worked is a number calculated using a rounded-off figure conversion factor of 2 200 as the South African mining industry does not report on the actual hours worked. 

The assumption is that each person works for an average of 48.9 weeks in a calendar year, discounting weekends, public holidays and annual leave days. The Basic conditions of Employment Act, 1997 (Act 75 of 1997) requires a person to work not more that 45 hours per week. Therefore, the conversion factor is rounded-off to 2 200 hours per person per year.  

The rate is annualised, therefore, for a full year it is calculated as follows: 

Contact us: mhsi@dmpr.gov.za 

Occupational fatalities and injuries reported

Mining is known as one of the most dangerous occupations in the world with many contributing factors that causes accidents in the mining environment resulting in fatalities and occupational injuries. 

South Africa has improved its safety level when compared to international peers but these markets have considerably less-complicated mining sectors than South Africa which has some of the deepest mines in the world. 

The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate continuously examine practices towards achieving a zero harm goal. Compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 as amended and its regulations is crucial to provide safe and healthy working conditions for miners in the South African mining industry. 

The health and safety of any and all mine workers in the South African mining industry remain at the centre of the work the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate do. The Inspectorate is committed to the principle of zero harm and aims to achieve world-class safety performance through close collaboration with its tripartite partners. 

Contact us: mhsi@dmpr.gov.za 

Disaster-type accidents in mining 

The South African mining industry has been plagued by challenges of fatalities and injuries resulting from mining activities for more than a century. During the 1980s more disasters occurred than in any other decade in the history of mining in South Africa. 

Since as early as 1913, it was found that falls of ground are a common cause of mine accidents and injuries. Today, falls of ground accidents are still a major cause of fatalities with rock bursts increasing the fatality rate in the gold mines three times the average at depths below 3 000 metres. Other contributing casualty classifications for fatalities and injuries in mining are transportation and mining, and general type accidents. 

The past ten years has seen significant improvements in safety for mine employees. This resulted in sustainable downward trends in injuries and fatalities. As the regulator of the sector, the implementation of the enforcement measures as contained in the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 as amended remains a key priority. 

Contact us: mhsi@dmpr.gov.za 

Mining tragedies 

South Africa is known for its diverse wealth of minerals, but even better known for a very well-regulated mining industry. The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate continuously enforce legislation and national mining standards to reduce mining deaths and occupational injuries.The overall number of deaths in the South African mining industry has declined over the past decades. 

The greatest impact of mining accidents is noticed amongst the family members and colleagues left behind after a mine worker lost his or her life. 

Administrative fine system

The Download resources was issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines in 2011 in accordance with Section 49(6) of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 as amended. 

The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate has the power to order compliance through this  system of administrative fines on an employer who failed to comply with the provision of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 as amended. An employer must pay any fine imposed within 30 days. 

Money received in payment of the fines imposed, must be paid to the administrative fund established and controlled by the Mine Health and Safety Council [MHSC]. These funds are used to promote health and safety in the mining industry. 

Contact us: mhsi@dmpr.gov.za 

Download Resources:

Guideline on Administrtive Fines System [2011] 

Levies

The levies are based on the health and safety risks of the operating mines in South Africa. The Mine Health and Safety Council [MHSC] administers the collection of these levies and the funds generated from these levies are used in research projects. 

The revised levy model has a balanced approach and aims to be pro-active with reference to occupational health and safety interventions to mitigate accidents and dangerous occurrences at mines in South Africa. 

For more information, contact the Mine Health and Safety Council [MHSC] during office hours at: 

Mine Safety

SIMRAC Levies

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources  (DMPR) manages a Safety Research Account through the Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee (SIMRAC). Funds from this account support essential research and innovation in mine health and safety.

Mine safety risk is expressed using a Severity Index, calculated as allocated days lost due to fatalities and injuries. Fatalities and permanent disabilities are each rated at 6,000 man-days lost.

The levy calculation is based on a three-year cycle from July to June. Mines are levied based on reported accidents and average labour figures over twelve months.

For more information, contact mhsi@dmpr.gov.za.

Surveying Matters

Download Resources