GUIDANCE NOTE ON MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF HIV IN THE MINING INDUSTRY
Notice Title: Mine Health and Safety Act: Guidance note on management and control of HIV in South African Mining Industry
Government Notice: GN 327 in GG 44427 on 9 April 2021
Effective date: 1 May 2021
The Chief Inspector of Mines published a Guidance Note on Management and Control of HIV in South African Mining Industry (“Guidance Note”) in terms of section 49(6) of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (“MHSA“) in the Government Gazette on 9 April 2021.
For a copy of the Government Gazette Notice click here
This Guidance Note has been produced to assist in the management and control of HIV in the South African mining industry. The practice / standards set out in this document should apply to all mine workers, irrespective of employment category, and including contract workers.
The objective of this Guidance Note is to assist employers to establish sustainable HIV and AIDS management and control programmes at mines to:
- Implement prevention strategies.
- Reduce the burden of HIV.
- Improve clinical outcomes of people living with HIV.
- Reduce morbidity due to HIV and TB co-infection.
- Reduce HIV incidence (reduce the number of new infections amongst employees and their families).
- Avert AIDS related deaths ensuring that people living with HIV start with the right therapy at the right time.
The Guidance Note also aims to ensure compliance to obligations as prescribed in other relevant labour legislation and other relevant Code of Practices.
How to ensure compliance at my operations?
All mining operations are required to prepare an implementation plan that complies with this Guidance Note by 1 May 2021. Measures must also be implemented to monitor and ensure compliance with the Guidance Note.
How can Shangoni assist with compliance?
Our HSE team can assist your operation with the development of an implementation plan that is aligned with the guidance note and operational practises.
For more information relating to these services or assistance please contact Gert van der Waal at gert@shangoni.co.za
