FACT SHEET MINING INDUSTRY INTERVENTIONS ON TB AND HIV/AIDS

Transcription

1 FACT SHEET MINING INDUSTRY INTERVENTIONS ON TB AND HIV/AIDS 2014 Putting South Africa First

2 2 Striving for zero harm The mining industry has always been a significant contributor to the national economy and can continue to play a role in the country s growth and development. In order for mining to build a meaningful future for all South Africans, the industry needs to ensure an unwavering focus on health and safety. The Chamber of Mines and its members remain committed to achieving a mining industry in which every mineworker returns home unharmed every day. TB rates in the mining industry have over the years declined from very high levels in 2004 to levels in the gold industry that are about times the South African rate. Rates of TB in the mining industry, particularly the gold sector have historically been very high, but this trend has reversed over the years. Data from the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) shows that the highest peak in the number of TB cases reported was in 2004 with 8005 cases. This number has now fallen away and 2838 cases were reported in This trend is in line with reports from the Chamber of Mines and individual companies. It is worth noting that TB rates in mining are also highly correlated to HIV infection, with low TB and HIV rates in the coal sector which has fewer risk factors for HIV infection. The risk of developing TB in gold companies arises from silica exposure and HIV infection. Research has put the risk of developing TB as high as three (3) times for individuals with silicosis and up to six (6) times for those with HIV with the combined effect potentially being eighteen (18) times. The key risk for mineworkers that results in higher HIV rates is migrancy and it has been found to increase the risk of contracting HIV by up to two (2) times. Rates of HIV in the sector were historically much higher than those in the average adult South African population with rates of 30% HIV positivity reported in the early 2000s. The industry has instituted rigorous HIV and TB programmes over the past 10 years. This has resulted in TB rates in mines being much lower than expected and companies continue to improve on these infection rates.

3 3 A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH Mining health and safety in South Africa is governed by Act 29 of the 1996 Mine Health and Safety Act. Through the Act, the Mine Health and Safety Council was established creating a platform forbusiness, government and labour to work together to advise the Minister of Mineral Resources on health and safety issues. Collectively, business, government and labour agreed to occupational health and safety targets and 10-year milestones at the 2003 Mine Health and Safety Summit. Mining was the first sector to develop shared targets, milestones and action plans to improve industry health and safety.this is a prime example of how various stakeholders in the sector have pulled together to work closely towards achieving a common objective and all should be commended for their commitment and contribution.

4 Established Mine Health and Safety Council Stakeholders agree 2013 milestones on health and safety 2008 Included health and safety in Revised Mining Charter 2011 Established CEO Elimination of Fatalities Team 2003 Developed Tripartite Action Plan to achieve the milestones Established MOSH Learning Hub to promote leading practices Started to establish Regional Tripartite Forums 2010 Approved Culture Transformation Framework TB and HIV/Aids commitments 2012

5 5 TRIPARTITE ACTION PLAN The industry is working well with the tripartite stakeholders in the implementation of the MHSC programme on TB and HIV and in reducing dust levels in the mines. The Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) has a committee, the Mining Industry TB and HIV and AIDS Advisory Committee (MITHAC) that advises the Minister of Mineral Resources on TB, HIV and silicosis matters. The MHSC currently has a programme totalling R24 million on TB, HIV and silicosis. The industry is partnering with other stakeholders in addressing TB, HIV and silicosis Mining companies are contributing to initiatives on TB case finding in peri-mining communities. Aurum Institute and four mining companies successfully mobilised resources from TB Reach, an initiative by Stop TB. As a result of co-funding from the four companies, two mining communities benefited through intensified case finding for TB in their areas. The Ex-Mineworker and Making ODMWA Work Project is a tripartite project between the Chamber of Mines, Department of Health (DOH) and National Union of Mineworkers and it aims to increase access for ex-mineworkers to benefit medical examinations that are essential for compensation purposes. Out of a total of R42 million allocated for the project, about R18 million has thus far been utilised to establish sites in Nongoma in KwaZulu Natal, Mthatha in Eastern Cape and to support four hospitals each in Free State and North West. A One Stop Service facility was established in Carletonville in Funds have been provided by the DoH to improve registry and IT systems at the Compensation Commissioner s office.

6 6 INDUSTRY ACTIONS AND INTERVENTIONS Reducing and eliminating poor housing as a precursor for TB The industry has made strides in improving housing and living conditions of mineworkers. The industry has made great strides in the de-densification of hostels and conversion into family units Crowded living conditions and high silica dust levels contribute to development of TB. The industry has made great strides in the de-densification of hostels and conversion into family units. Improvements in access to housing and housing allowances have made it possible for employees to leave hostel accommodation. The sector has taken specific steps to address TB We have focused on three priority initiatives to address TB: 1 Promoting the reduction of dust levels The industry established the MOSH Learning Hub in 2008, with a specific team on promotion of leading practices in dust control. Various practices have over the years been promoted and adopted by companies and substantial gains in dust control have been achieved. 2 Tracking progress on TB management through TB reviews The TB Review Tool was developed by the MHSC for reviewing TB programmes. Through this tool the Chamber has since 2010 two years conducted internal and external audits of TB programmes in the sectorthe audits revealed high cure rates approximating the international target of 85% cure rate. Industry will thus strive to improve on these rates. 3 The industry is taking steps to address the issue of contractors The challenge of uneven services provided to contractors was identified by the TB Reviews. The Chamber has taken steps to address this position such that contractors are managed similarly to permanent employees. TB services should thus be similar across all employees and contractors by end of 2014.

7 7 LOOKING AHEAD TB and HIV are a priority for the sector The Chamber of Mines remains committed to improving health and safety performance and will continue to work with other stakeholders in the Mine Health and Safety Council to achieve the goal of zero harm. To this end we will continue to implement the culture transformation framework; to train 40,000 health and safety representatives; to adopt leading practices in the industry and to focus on research and development, an important part of which is establishing the Centre of Excellence. Furthermore, in 2014 the Chamber of Mines will work with other stakeholders to craft a new shared vision for health and safety beyond the 2013 milestones.

8 Putting South Africa First 5 Hollard Street Johannesburg 2107 Tel: Fax: info@chamberofmines.org.za Web: