GUIDANCE NOTE FOR A MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL PROGRAMME FOR TUBERCULOSIS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN MINING INDUSTRY
Title: Guidance note for a management and control programme for tuberculosis in the South African mining industry
Government Gazette Notice: GN 851 in GG 41839 of 17 August 2018
Commencing date: 17 August 2018
The Acting Chief Inspector of Mines issued the guidance note for a management and control programme for tuberculosis (“TB”) in the South African mining industry in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 (“MHSA”) on 17 August 2018.
This Guidance Note has been produced to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of TB in the South African mining industry. Employers are required to develop a TB control programme as part of its system of medical surveillance. The Guidance Note aims to assist employers with the establishment and maintenance of these programmes.
The Guidance Note acknowledge that the management of TB cases on mines requires additional measures that those in the national guidelines due to the occupational risk of silica dust, the high TB incidence rates, the high prevalence of Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (“NTM”) disease. This document aims to define these additional practice standards.
How to ensure compliance at my operation?
Mining operations must ensure that this Guidance Note is considered in the medical surveillance program of a mine. It is further required that the mine have a TB control programme for all employees and contractors in support of the National Department of Health’s drive to compact this disease.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Shangoni has Occupational Health and Safety Specialists that can assist operations to integrate this guidance note into existing controls. For more information, contact Corrie Potgieter at corrie@shangoni.co.za
