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Strikers could lose their 'mining rhythm'

Johannesburg - The longer the strike in the platinum industry, the greater the potential negative safety impact, according to Warren Beech, head of mining at the international law firm Hogan Lovells in South Africa.

"The health and safety responsibilities placed on the mining companies and employees who work at the mines, continue to apply, regardless of a strike."

He told Fin24 the mining companies are required to ensure that the mine conditions are healthy and safe. The employees are required to ensure that they take appropriate steps to look after their own health and safety, and that of their fellow employees.

In a strike situation, normal operations generally stop and this can have an impact on the mining operations.

This would include the plants, ventilation fire monitoring and related aspects and the physical workings in the mine.

In addition, employees who have not been working for a period, lose their "mining rhythm" - an important component of safe work - which could impact on health and safety.

Mining companies, together with their stakeholders in the industry, should be carrying out risk assessments, which focus on the impacts of the strike, he said.

They should be taking into account all the potential impacts of the strike and implementing an appropriate training programme.

This programme must communicate the risks and the procedures to be implemented, to avoid the consequences which may flow from the strike action.

In addition, increased supervision is required.
 
"The longer the strike, the greater the potential impact. It is essential that all role players work together in the interests of preserving health and safety on return to work," he said.

- Fin24

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