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Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)

Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice

Change Management in the South African Mining Industry

Part C: Format and Content of the Mandatory COP

7. Risk management

 

7.1 Section 5(2) of the MHSA provides that, as far as reasonably practicable, every employer must:
7.1.1 Identify the relevant hazards and assess the related risks to which persons who are not employees are exposed.
7.1.2 Ensure that persons who are not employees, but who may be directly affected by the activities at the mine, are not exposed to any hazard to their health and safety.

 

7.2 Section 11 of the MHSA requires the employer to:
7.2.1 Identify hazards.
7.2.2 Assess the health and safety risks to which employees may be exposed to while at work.
7.2.3 Record the significant hazard(s) identified and risk(s) assessed.

 

7.3 COP must address how the significant risks identified in the risk assessment process must be dealt with, having regard to the requirements of Sections 11(2) and 11(3) of the MHSA.

 

7.4 As far as reasonably practicable, attempts should be made to:
7.4.1 Eliminate the risk.
7.4.2 Thereafter, to control the risk at source.
7.4.3 Thereafter, to minimize the risk.
7.4.4 Thereafter, insofar as the risk remains, provide personal protective equipment and institute a programme to monitor the risk.

 

7.5 To assist the employer with the hazard identification and risk assessment processes, all possible relevant information such as routine inspections, accident statistics and research reports must be considered.

 

7.6 In addition to the periodic review required in terms of Section 11(4) of the MHSA, the COP must be reviewed and updated, if necessary:
7.6.1 After every reportable incident or accident relating to the topic(s) covered in the COP.
7.6.2 If significant changes are introduced to procedures relating to the implementation of the COP.