With a strong national footprint and more than two decades of experience across industrial projects, including highly remote and high-risk environments, private medical and emergency care provider ER24 is well positioned to support complex operations, says ER24 South Africa projects commercial lead Walt Egger.

He adds that this capability is reinforced by a team of highly qualified medical professionals and the backing of its owner Mediclinic, enabling “effective healthcare deployment, expert medical guidance, robust clinical governance and informed, experience- based best practice sharing”.

ER24’s approach centres on tailoring, implementing and managing specialist healthcare solutions that align closely with each client’s compliance obligations and duty of care commitments to employees and contractors, stresses Egger.

ER24’s focus sectors include mining and energy and infrastructure sites, where it supports and fulfils emergency medical and occupational health and safety compliance in line with legislative requirements.

Importantly, clinical governance within Mediclinic transfers this responsibility to all subsidiaries, which allows ER24 to access clinical expertise and remain compliant, regardless of updates to industry standards and governance practices.

ER24’s solutions for industrial project environments, particularly within the mining sector, are tailored to the specific site’s risk profile.

These capabilities typically include high- angle rope rescue, water and trench rescue, as well as confined space interventions.

Teams are also equipped to operate in hazardous gas environments, using specialised breathing apparatus and gas monitoring equipment, alongside offering vehicle extrication and general rescue services.

ER24 also provides hazardous materials management, including the implementation of protocols for high-risk substances such as cyanide.

Its emergency medical services crews support dedicated Proto Teams to deliver advanced emergency medical support, and it conducts regular mock drills, supported by offsite emergency branch resources, ensuring ongoing preparedness and response capability.

These services are complemented by basic fire management and adherence to relevant site-specific requirements, including compliance with Mine Health and Safety Act Chapter 16 provisions, thereby ensuring a comprehensive and compliant on-site emergency response framework.

“We work closely with on-site occupational health and safety teams to ensure a fully integrated approach to workforce wellbeing,” says Egger.

In mining, both clients and contractors are required to meet the key performance indicators set by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), in line with the Mine Health and Safety Act.

Most other industries operate under the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

While many sites have robust health and safety systems in place, the nature of mining operations means that dedicated on-site emergency medical support is essential.

Remote locations, in particular, present unique challenges, where access to definitive care, such as a hospital, can be significantly delayed.

In such cases, rapid evacuation by rotary or fixed-wing air ambulance is often required to ensure timely, life-saving intervention, says Egger.

Qualified Support

Emergency medical personnel are required to maintain the appropriate qualifications, including registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), which stipulates ongoing continuing professional development requirements.

“In addition, they must comply with site- specific rescue competency standards,” says ER24 Site Based Medical Solutions manager Peter van der Merwe.

He points out, in support of the government’s “zero harm” objective for mining, ER24 delivers expert, high-level solutions that enable clients to meet their duty of care obligations.

ER24 is a registered and accredited provider of Emergency Medical Services, registered with the Board of Healthcare Funders, and operates in accordance with the requirements of the HPCSA.

It is also registered with the Department of Health and the Department of Labour across all provinces and complies with the provisions of the National Health Act.