LABOUR COURT JUDGEMENT COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR MINES

LABOUR COURT JUDGEMENT COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR MINES

On 1 May 2020 the Labour Court ordered the Chief Inspector of Mines to publish a notice in the Government Gazette by no later than 18 May 2020 that contains guidelines for the compilation and implementation of a mandatory Code of Practice (“COP”) in terms of section 9(2) of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 to mitigate the effect of the outbreak of COVID-19 at working places at mines. As an interim measure, the court order requires mines to comply with the standard operating procedure attached to the court order.

In a press release issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy the department welcomed the Labour Court order granted on 1 May 2020.  According to the department, “the order resolves the existing uncertainty as to whether the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and Chief Inspector of Mines are empowered under the Mine Health and Safety Act to introduce enforceable measures to deal with the outbreak of Covid-19 at mines.”  To read the press release click here.

The Labour Court order was published by the Department of Mineral Resources on 5 May 2020 (Government Notice 253 in Government Gazette 43282). For a copy of the Labour Court Order click here.

How can Shangoni assist with compliance?

Our SHE team can assist your operation with the development and review of COVID-19 risk assessments, setting of effective mitigation strategies, COP’s and supporting documents to ensure that such is aligned with the guidelines as well as operational practises.

For more information or assistance please contact Corrie Potgieter at 012 807 1014 or Corrie@shangoni.co.za.

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