Evaluation of contractor’s occupational safety and health management systems in the prevention of occupational accidents at Shamva Mine
- Author
- Damu, Nelias
- Title
- Evaluation of contractor’s occupational safety and health management systems in the prevention of occupational accidents at Shamva Mine
- Abstract
-
Background: Approximately 350 million occupational accidents and diseases occur globally per year resulting in nearly 2.2 million work-related deaths. The mining industry is also responsible for most of these accidents due to the strenuous working conditions and sophisticated equipment involved. In addition, most mining companies hire labour in the form of contracting companies to undertake specialised tasks in underground and surface operations. However, these contractors lack rigid occupational health and safety (OHS) management systems and rarely adhere to OHS regulations thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
Objectives: Causes of occupational accidents in contractors were investigated. The establishment of contractor OHS management system was evaluated. The efficiency of OHS management system in reducing accidents was determined.
Methods: The study employed a complete randomised block design, with four mining departments security, SHEQ, transportation and underground as the blocks. Questionnaire dissemination was done to random participants in each department, whereas structured interviews were done with supervisors and managerial staff. In addition, observations with the aid of a checklist were done to augment the questionnaire.
Key findings: Fatigue (22.0%) and machinery failure (17.8%) were the major causes of accidents among contractors and this was worsened by manual handling, speed working and not wearing adequate PPE. In addition, age (X2 = 14.63; p = 0.0164), educational level (X2 = 11.38; p = 0.0029), and work experience (X2 = 10.54; p = 0.0047), significantly influenced the occurrence of an accident. Lack of resources (57.4%) and lack of training (53.7%) significantly affected the establishment of OHS management system whereas the proposed strategies of improving OHS management system were OHS training (25.4%) and providing resources (23.2%). Accidents were prevalent in the underground and transportation sections but generally declined from January to June 2022.
Conclusions: Regular OHS training to employees to increase OHS awareness and the provision of adequate resources and allocating sufficient time for effective OHS system management among contractors should be exercised. Future research efforts to focus on ways of improving OHS management systems among contractors
Key words: accidents, contractors, OHS management system, mining.
- Date
- 2022
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Occupational health and safety management system
- Occupational accidents
- Supervisor
- Dr Dudu, V.
- Item sets
- Department of Environmental Sciences
- Media
-
Damu - SHEM.pdf