Abstract
M.Phil.
The mining industry in South Africa is in a process of transformation, which can be
ascribed to various influences. First and foremost is the process of the conversion of
mineral rights, employment equity and black economic empowerment. The ethnic
distribution of mining employees at the time of the study reflected that Managers
were predominantly white, the majority of Shift bosses were white and Miners were
predominantly black.
Central to the transformation process is maintaining and improving production output
in a safe manner.
Leadership in addition also impacts on health and safety in the workplace and the
process to transform the organisation to world- class status commences with
leadership.
Transforming health and safety in the organisation to world-class status is a
leadership imperative.
The fatality rates in South African mines are continuously being addressed not only
through initiatives from the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, but also through the
various mining houses.
The introduction of the Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations 29 of 1996
made a profound impact on health and safety management on South African Mines.
The introduction of blasting certificate holders replaced the scheduled person
(contract miner). Various mining houses grasped the opportunity and trained their
own miners from previously disadvantaged communities. This also assisted in
achieving transformation objectives.
The fatalities on platinum mines in South Africa since 1995 have remained constant
up to 2007 although a slight decrease is reported. Nevertheless, injuries and
fatalities in South African mines are attracting negative attention from society and the
investment community. This is not in the interest of the mining industry.
Research indicates that unsafe behaviour contributes 87% and more to incidents
and injuries (including fatalities) on mines. The study of behaviour as a contributing
factor in organisational safety is a relatively young science since the first reported
studies in the 1980's. Research in this domain strives to develop an understanding of
behaviour as a contributing factor in organisational safety.