GUIDELINE FOR MANDATORY CODES OF PRACTICE
Guideline for mandatory Codes of Practice: PPE for women
Title: Guideline for mandatory Code of Practice on the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for women in the South African Mining Industry
Government Notice: GN 854 in Government Gazette 39228 of 25 September 2015
Date of commencement: 25 September 2015
Potentially affected controls: New PPE COP required, PPE Policies, PPM Matrix, PPE Risk Assessments/ Surveys, PPE Standards, PPE Procedures
In accordance with section 9(2) of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 (MHSA) an employer must prepare and implement a Code of Practice (COP) on any matter affecting the health or safety of employees and other persons who may be directly affected by activities at the mines if the Chief Inspector of Mines requires it. These COPs must comply with any relevant guideline issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines (section 9(3)). Failure by the employer to prepare or implement a COP in compliance with this guideline is a breach of the MHSA.
The objective of this guideline is to provide guidance to the employer at every mine to compile a mandatory COP which would assist employers in providing suitable PPE for women in mining where required. Aspects to be addressed in the COP include Roles and responsibilities of different persons, Selection, provision and maintenance of PPE and training. The employer must prepare an implementation plan for its COP that makes provision for issues such as organizational structures, responsibilities of functionaries and programs and schedules for this COP that will enable proper implementation of the COP.
Guideline for mandatory Codes of Practice: Trackless Mobile Machines
Title: Guideline for mandatory Code of Practice for trackless mobile machines
Government Notice: GN 855 in Government Gazette 39228 of 25 September 2015
Date of commencement: 25 September 2015
Potentially affected controls: Existing and new TMM COPs
The objective of this guideline is to enable the employer at every mine to compile a COP, which, if properly implemented and complied with, would improve health and safety in connection with the use of trackless mobile machines at a mine. This guideline covers the significant health and safety aspects associated with the design, application, organisational work methods, competency criteria for operators as well as the provision of personal and protective equipment as it relates to trackless mobile machine.
Guideline for mandatory Codes of Practice: Cyanide management
Title: Guideline for mandatory Code of Practice for cyanide management
Government Notice: GN 856 in Government Gazette 39228 of 25 September 2015
Date of commencement: 25 September 2015
Potentially affected controls: Existing and new Cyanide COPs
The main objective of this guideline is to enable the employer at every mine where it is relevant to compile a COP, which, if properly implemented and complied with, would improve cyanide management, thereby minimising risks to employees and communities from the use of cyanide in gold mining, and reducing community concerns about its use. It provides guidance of a general nature on the required format and content for the COP and details sufficient technical background to enable the drafting committee at the mine to prepare a comprehensive and practical COP for their mine.
This guideline focuses exclusively on the management of cyanide and cyanidation, in various plant process and tailing streams and does not address other safety or environmental issues potentially associated with mining. This guideline addresses procurement, supply and distribution of cyanide, its transport at the mine, its on-site storage and use, inspection and maintenance of equipment used, timeous detection of leakages and spills, emergency preparedness and response and the management of cyanide to ensure that it does not adversely affect the health or safety of persons at the mine or off the mine. (See employers’ responsibility in terms of sections 5(1) and 5(2) (b) of the MHSA to provide employees with a safe working environment and to ensure that persons who are not employees are not exposed to any hazards to health or safety).
Guideline for mandatory Codes of Practice: Underground rail bound equipment
Title: Guideline for mandatory Code of Practice for underground rail bound equipment.
Government Notice: GN 856 in Government Gazette 39228 of 25 September 2015
Date of commencement: 25 September 2015
Potentially affected controls: Existing and new Underground rail bound equipment COPs
The objective of this guideline is to enable the employer of every mine to compile a COP for minimum standards, which, if properly implemented and complied with, would improve the health and safety of persons using or affected by rail bound transport and equipment.
This guideline covers the health and safety risks associated with RBE underground and on surface within the demarcated shaft station bank area and the following must be included in the COP:
• Design and specification of RBE.
• Design and specification of the operating environment of RBE.
• Operational requirements of RBE.
• Maintenance of RBE.
• Personnel operating RBE.
This guideline excludes the use of RBE on surface outside the demarcated shaft station bank area as well as the following installations: Endless rope haulage installations, Monorails, Chairlifts, Overhead cranes and crawls, RBE used in shafts, winzes and raises, Lifting machines; and Stackers and re- claimers.
