THE FOUR VISIONARY ASPECTS TOWARDS ZERO HARM FOR WORKERS IN THE MINING AND METALS SECTOR.
Courtesy of the ICCM, 2016
For many
years scholars and professionals have debated and raised the issue of an
existing propensity in the occupational health sector to prioritize safety over
health. The first visionary principle towards zero harm for workers in the
mining and metals sector is based on the fact that an organization must develop
a culture whereby equal importance is given to issues of occupational health
and safety so that the prevention of occupational disease is as important to
the organization as the prevention of safety incidents (ICCM, 2009:4). This
means for example; noise-induced hearing loss cases will be treated with equal
importance as hand injuries. The second aspect is based on the fact that an
organization needs to do its ultimate best to ensure that there are no repeats
of any occupational disease cases within the entire organization (ICCM, 2009:4).
This means that for example, the organization will monitor the incidence and
prevalence of occupational disease and share lessons learned from previous
reports to ensure that workers do not suffer from the same occupational diseases.
The third aspect is based on the fact that an organization must create
non-negotiable, feasible and well researched standards which must be followed
by the organization in order for it to ensure the prevention of occupational
disease (ICCM, 2009:4). This means that an organization will follow local,
national and international standards such as occupational exposure limits, they
will develop in-house standards where applicable and ensure that these address
their needs and the needs of their workers. The fourth aspect is based on
businesses being able to identify their material unwanted health events (MUEs)
and ensure that they are managed in accordance with the ICMM’s Health and
safety critical control management: good practice guide of 2015. This means
that businesses must not only be able to identify their MUEs but be able to
also prioritize them based on their health impacts and available resources (ICCM,
2009:4).
"We need to move beyond compliance to achieve zero harm...the result we get is a reflection of our leadership". Mr. Themba Mkhwanazi, CEO of Kumba Iron Ore and Zero Harm Forum Chairperson.
With the
above being said; the goal of zero-harm will not be reached without a consented
effort from all stakeholders. Though we know that other sectors have done more
than others in terms of being intentional and committed to the goal of zero
harm; we cannot continue to point fingers and complain about bad economic
conditions, lack of law enforcement and resources. We cannot continue to hold
conferences and workshops, planning and strategizing on how to achieve zero harm
while workers are suffering. Our workers can also no longer afford to hide
behind organized labour representatives but must realize that creating a
healthy and safe workplace is also their responsibility, the goal of zero harm
is not only for CEOs and other executives but for all who care about human
health and safety. Therefore; workers must improve production and help the
employer to reach their targets, they must adhere to all occupational health
and safety requirements and work together with the employer to achieve zero
harm. At this year’s OSHAfrica 2019 Conference, held in Kempton Park (South
Africa) from the 18th to the 20th of September; the
Minister of Health Dr. Zweli Mkhize once again emphasized the importance of collaboration
from all stakeholders and how the Departments of Employment and Labour and the
Department of Mineral Resources can work together in achieving zero harm. The
CEO of Kumba Iron Ore and Chairperson of the Zero Harm Forum, Mr. Themba Mkhwanazi also reiterated the importance of visible
leadership and strategic planning in driving the goal of zero harm. In his words; "The result we get is a reflection of our leadership". Mr. Mkhwanazi made it clear that leadership is critical for the achievement of zero harm It is
therefore imperative that the blame game stops and all work together in
changing the narrative and really proving that we can drive economic activity,
grow the GDP, improve the lives of South African without causing harm to their
health and having to pay 5 billion class-action settlements.
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