Safety Challenges in the Mining Industry

Around 15% of the working population around the world has a disability, and a lot of these cases happen in countries that are not very developed. The mining industry is responsible for a good number of these disabilities. In fact, half of the disabilities come from injuries directly related to mining, rather than from manufacturing jobs.

Even with lots of money spent on Safety measures, mining is still seen as a risky job. Some studies found that new technology has cut down mine injuries by 30%. But miners still think their jobs are pretty dangerous compared to other industries. Take Zambia, for instance. There was a terrible mining accident in 1970 where 89 miners lost their lives due to flooding. Fast forward to 2005, and another explosion at Chambeshi Mine killed 50 miners. And if you think that's shocking, in another incident at the same mine, 46 miners died when an explosion ripped through an explosives factory.

Globally, more than 600,000 mine workers get injured every year, and over 500,000 develop health issues from working in mines. In one year, coal miners reported more than 3,000 non-fatal injuries, which is about 3.3 injuries for every 100 workers.

According to reports, fatigue is making Accidents more likely. Many workers don’t fully understand the safety rules, and sometimes those rules aren't properly explained, leading to more accidents.

In Zambia, the mining sector employs about 15% of formal workers, contributing about 8% to the country's GDP while attracting a whopping 84% of export earnings. A study showed that injury rates in mining are higher in African countries compared to developed nations. This signals a big need to raise awareness about health and safety dangers in mines. Better awareness among miners can lead to fewer accidents, disabilities, and fatalities.

#Study Site

Nampundwe Mine is located about 48 km from Lusaka's Central Business District. It first opened in 1913 under the name “King Edwards Mine.” Today, it is an underground pyrite mine owned by Konkola Copper Mine.

The mine's location is in a part of the country known as the Cheta Formation, where various layers of rock contain the pyrite mineral. This rocky area is both fascinating and a little tricky to work in.

#Research Design

To get the information needed for understanding safety in mining, a special research plan was made. This study used a mix of numbers and words to gather data. Some of it was analyzed with special software, while other parts involved knocking on doors and having conversations with workers.

To see the differences in safety awareness among different groups of workers, analysis tools were used. For example, the researcher set up a way to rank knowledge levels as excellent, good, fair, or poor. They also made sure to carefully record interviews from group discussions to ensure information wasn’t lost in translation.

#Sample Selection

Data was gathered from 205 mine workers at Nampundwe Mine. These workers included managers, supervisors, machine operators, general miners, and contractors. The manager’s team, the one pulling the strings, included 8 managers, 18 supervisors, 24 machine operators, 80 general miners, and 75 contractors. The goal was to gather insights from those who knew the mining work best.

Interviews were conducted using a guide, focusing on those who had the most experience. The idea was to get the best and most relevant information possible.

#Ethical Considerations

Having a moral compass is crucial for anyone involved in research. The first step was getting permission from the University of Zambia’s Research Ethics Committee. Each participant was made aware of what the study was about and their rights, like being able to leave anytime without explanation. The study was designed to respect privacy and confidentiality.

Participants were promised their identities would be protected, and any raw data collected would be kept safe and only seen by the researcher and some trusted colleagues.

#Study Validity and Limitations

Validity is about making sure the research measures what it’s supposed to. The researcher gathered participants at Nampundwe Mine to ensure that the study was relevant. They worked closely with supervisors to refine the survey tool, ensuring that it was logical and useful.

To make sure things were accurate, the survey was created after reviewing previous studies. Initially, a small test was conducted elsewhere to find any flaws, and then adjustments were made to improve clarity. However, while the questionnaire provided a lot of information, it was sometimes tough to verify the answers without solid proof.

There were also some challenges. The management at Nampundwe Mine wasn’t able to share sensitive information like accident statistics or safety reports with the researcher. Some workers thought taking part in the study would cut into their work time, making it hard to gather the expected data.

#Demographic Characteristics

Most respondents at Nampundwe Mine were male, accounting for about 89% of the workers, while women made up only 11%. In terms of job positions, the majority were general miners (around 51%), followed by machine operators (20%), supervisors (8%), and managers (4%).

The average age of the workforce was around 35 years, indicating a relatively young group. This is interesting because young workers often bring energy and quick reactions to challenging physical tasks. These types of jobs require stamina and a solid understanding of safety to prevent accidents.

For education, over half of the workers had some form of tertiary education, which could mean they have a decent understanding of safety measures. The workers’ monthly salaries varied widely. Contractors earned around 2,500 units, while regular company employees earned about 6,500 units, affecting their motivation and compliance with safety rules.

Workers had an average of 3 years of experience, which is enough time to get trained in safety protocols. However, some felt that experience didn’t necessarily equate to strict adherence to safety rules.

#Mineworkers’ Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety at Nampundwe Mine

The workers at Nampundwe Mine showed a good understanding of occupational Hazards. Supervisors had the best knowledge of safety issues, followed by machine operators and general miners. Meanwhile, contractors showed the least awareness, likely tied to their feelings of demotivation due to lower pay.

Interestingly, managers, who are responsible for overseeing operations, had a lower awareness of hazards compared to supervisors. This might be because managers often delegate safety matters down the line, relying on supervisors to handle the nitty-gritty of safety measures.

#Mineworkers' Attitude Towards Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

A significant number of managers and supervisors reported a commitment to wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), with 100% saying they were on board. However, the numbers dropped for machine operators, general miners, and contractors. Wearing PPE can feel uncomfortable, and some workers might be less inclined to wear it often, pointing to a divide in attitudes towards safety.

A decent portion of machine operators (78%) and general miners (72%) were committed to wearing PPE, but contractors fell a bit behind at 61%. This suggests a need for more awareness campaigns and better Training to ensure that everyone understands the importance of PPE in keeping them safe.

#Causes of Accidents at Nampundwe Mine

Mining has its fair share of accidents, and the data showed that many were caused by not following safety rules. Falling from heights, vehicle accidents, and equipment failures were among the major culprits. Workers pointed out that some areas around the mine were slippery or unstable, leading to falls.

Poor visibility was also a problem contributing to accidents caused by trackless vehicles. Drivers may struggle to navigate poorly lit areas, leading to mishaps. Plus, issues such as workers being under the influence of alcohol while on duty have also been noted as major concerns.

#Effectiveness of Existing Health and Safety Measures at Nampundwe Mine

Nampundwe Mine has taken steps to improve health and safety. Training on emergency responses is provided for all employees, ensuring they know what to do in case of alarms or other emergencies. However, not every worker sticks to the rules, sometimes due to lower literacy levels that make it tough to follow written guidelines.

Training can go a long way in keeping workers safe. Well-trained workers are more likely to follow safety measures and use protective equipment.

#Conclusion

Overall, miners at Nampundwe Mine showed a pretty decent understanding of safety but there’s always room for improvement. The higher-ranking workers seem to have a better grasp of the risks, but there’s a clear indication that contractors face challenges due to their lower pay and motivation.

The study shows that addressing these challenges can lead to a safer mining environment. With better awareness and training, along with more motivated workers, the number of accidents and injuries can be reduced significantly.

In the end, ensuring that everyone understands the importance of safety rules and follows them is crucial to making mining a safer place for all workers.