Abstract
Background: Occupational lung diseases remain prevalent among South African mineworkers, yet long-standing administrative inefficiencies, legislative gaps, poor data accessibility, and the delayed onset of conditions like silicosis have hindered many from receiving the compensation they are entitled to. A clearer understanding of claimant profiles, disease patterns, and compensation outcomes is needed to address these injustices and inform reforms that strengthen occupational health and compensation systems.
Aim: To describe the nature, patterns, and outcomes of compensation claims for occupational lung diseases submitted by current and ex-mineworkers to the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases (MBOD) and the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD) between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2024.
Method: A quantitative, retrospective analysis of secondary, de-identified claims data submitted to the MBOD/CCOD was conducted. The study population comprised 21,310 claims assessed during the study period. Data were extracted from the MBOD/CCOD database and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods to examine claimant demographics, their mining history and commodity worked on; disease types; levels of impairment; and compensation outcomes. Associations between exposure factors, disease characteristics, and compensation status were explored to identify patterns and gaps in the compensation process.
Results: The majority of claims were submitted by ex-mineworkers, predominantly older males with long mining service histories. Gold mining accounted for the largest proportion of claims and was strongly associated with silicosis- and tuberculosis-related diseases. Over half of the claims were classified as non-compensable, while approximately one-third met the criteria for compensation under ODMWA. Compensation outcomes varied significantly by disease type, mining commodity, years worked, employment status, and country of origin. Administrative delays and incomplete disease classification were prominent features across the dataset, contributing to over half of the compensable claims remaining pending or unpaid.
Conclusion: The findings highlight long-standing occupational and administrative issues, including high silica exposure in gold mining, extensive missing diagnostic data, and slow certification processes, that continue to challenge equitable access to compensation for mineworkers with occupational lung diseases. Strengthening data quality, improving administrative processes, and implementing targeted policy reforms are essential to addressing historical injustices and ensuring more equitable access to compensation for mineworkers and their families.