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

Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice

Occupational Health Programme on Thermal Stress

Part C: Format and Content of the Mandatory COP

7. Risk Management

 

7.1 Section 11 of the MHSA requires the employer to identify hazards, assess the health and safety risks to which employees may be exposed to while at work, and record the significant hazards identified and the risks assessed. The employer must determine how the significant risks identified in the risk assessment process must be dealt with. This should be done with regard to the requirement of section 11(2) and (3) of the MHSA that, as far as reasonably practicable, attempts should first be made to:

 

• Eliminate the risk;
• Thereafter, control the risk at source;
• Thereafter, minimise the risk; and
• Thereafter, insofar as the risk remains, provide PPE and institute a programme to monitor the risk.

 

7.2 To assist the employer with the risk assessment all possible relevant information such as accident statistics, ergonomic studies, research reports, manufacturer specifications, approvals, design criteria and performance figures for all relevant equipment should be obtained and considered.

 

7.3 In addition to the periodic review required by section 11(4) of the MHSA, the COP should be reviewed and updated after every serious incident relating to the topic covered in the COP, or if significant changes are introduced to procedures, mining and ventilation layouts, mining methods, plants or equipment, and material.