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Association ensures PDS requirements are adhered to

NICO PIENAAR Measures need to be in place by no later than December 2020

NICO PIENAAR Measures need to be in place by no later than December 2020

18th January 2019

     

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Surface mining association the Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) is working closely with government and role-players to ensure its members understand and adhere to new requirements relating to proximity detection systems (PDS) for mobile machines in surface mining operations.

Aspasa director Nico Pienaar says the new legislation promulgated by the Department of Mineral Resources requires mines to take steps within the next year to physically prevent contact between mobile machines and humans or to install PDS on trackless mobile machinery (TMM) for effective collision management.

He adds that these measures need to be in place by no later than December 2020, failing which severe action will be brought against responsible parties and mineowners.

Global mining group Anglo American South Africa retired engineering head Thys Greyvenstein says this is not as straightforward as it may seem as proper risk assessments need to be done first on how to comply, and it is precisely for this reason that Aspasa is holding workshops and developing documentation that will guide surface mines in future.

Greyvenstein explains that, in order to comply, mine management teams need to understand how to do effective risk assessments, they also need to understand the PDS control systems’ effectiveness and how to implement traffic management plans that remove people from harm’s way. “They must also understand that, by the time TMM or alternatives become mandatory, where risk exists, the technology will still not be foolproof and mineowners will still need to look at other ways to reduce the risk.”

With fatalities on mines increasing, Greyvenstein mentions that there is no way the industry can ignore the requirement but should rather embrace it and find the right solutions that will work on individual mines. He adds that it is also important to know that there are alternatives to expensive technology if mines do proper traffic management plans and implement them effectively.

“In our ongoing efforts to ensure compliance across all sectors in the industry, as well as among big and small operators alike, we are encouraging active participation discussions and trials that are being run by the industry to determine the exact requirements for surface mining. “Also, we encourage miners to attend Aspasa’s workshops and make use of the information and documentation that is available to its members to learn more and become compliant before the deadline,” Greyvenstein states.

Safety Risks on Surface Mines

Pienaar explains that Aspasa is battling health and safety issues head-on with its innovative poster campaign, which is designed to be displayed on site on mines wherever danger occurs.

“It’s a simple idea, but one that we think will be highly effective in raising awareness and changing behaviours. “For this reason, we are making them available to our members at cost price with only a small charge for delivery anywhere in South Africa.”

He adds that there is no excuse for surface miners not to order and display them widely throughout their sites.

He mentions that the association had initially designed a limited number of posters in response to incidents. These were later distributed to its large membership and the response was overwhelming. Members ordered the posters in great numbers and this prompted the association to develop a comprehensive range of additional posters covering all major risk categories on surface mines.

It has also prompted the development of other ranges covering other important topics such as environmental and quality messages.

To ensure all issues are covered, the association has also appealed to the industry to get involved and to provide additional information or ideas to be included in the poster campaigns.

Aspasa has been acknowledged as a leading authority in the promotion of health, safety and the environment in the mining industry, in Southern Africa and globally.

Edited by Zandile Mavuso
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

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