Occupational Health and Safety in Mining – Status, New Developments, and Concerns

M.A. Hermanus

Resumed by : Vito Aristo Manik / 270110150018 / English 2 / D Class

Accidents that cause injuries to workers in all industries affect the condition of social and economy
of the workers, including their families and communities. In the broader context, accidents in working
environment exerts the sustainability of industries. An occupation that focuses on Health, Safety, and
Environment able to reduce the risk of crucial accidents that can occur in working environment.

The amount of accidents and illness that caused by mining industries are relatively higher than
the other sector of industries such as manufacture, construction, etc. This numbers make mining
industries becomes one of the most hazardous industries in the world. Mining environment is very
challenging due to its fast-changing safety condition as long as the mining activities occur. Dust and loud
noises associated with rock breaking at underground mines also air supply become the main factor that
generate accidents and illness in mining industry.

When mining started on industrial scale in 1880s in South Africa, mine workers were facing very
high risk to both health and safety in their working environment. However, years and years after, safety
rate of mines in South Africa improved although the improvement was not as high as the improvement
took place in mining countries such as Australia, Canada, and United States those years. Some factors such
as dust, loud noises, and respiratory diseases generated hazard to mine workers in South Africa. Those
factors kept safety rate of mines in South Africa lower than safety rate found in advance mining countries.

Due to the magnitude of problems generated in health and safety aspect in working environment
especially in mining industry, companies and communities that engaged in mining sector and workers
safety realizes how important is the role of occupation that focuses on Health, Safety, and Environment
in mining industries. They agree that it is important to have one special division in mining industry that
concerns on keeping the mine safe from any potential disaster and also keep workers health well
maintained, so the industry may develop sustainably.

Risk management becomes fundamental thing to do for Health, Safety, and Environment division
in mining industries. One of the main concern in risk management is to improve safety and healthy rate
of not only the workers but also the mines by identifying all possible hazard and disaster that could happen
in mines also factors that stimulates them. This also followed with proper solutions to reduce the risk.