Modern Quarrying Q2 2019

SAFETY

By now, every operation should have done its risk assessments on TMM to determine its level of risk.

Nico Pienaar, director of Aspasa.

observing issues, as well as their doc- umentation. Thirdly, we offer training to our member operations to help close the skills gap,” says Pienaar. Although strict, Aspasa’s ISHE programme also highlights good achievements and it has become a prestigious feat to excel in the pro- gramme among member operations and health and safety professionals. Testimony to the spirit of continuous improvement is the constant achieve- ment of high scores in the annual Aspasa audits. To give an idea, out of the 102 ISHE audits done during 2017, 16 operations achieved scores of above 90%. Another 26 opera- tions achieved scores between 90% and 95%, while 40 other operations scored between 80% and 90%, to end on an average of 85,84%. Voice of industry Every year, Aspasa’s ISHE audit document is revised in line with new industry legislation. For example, the association has recently prioritised proper risk assessment and Traffic Management Plans for its members in line with the new Trackless Mobile Machinery (TMM) legislation. Following the promulgation of the mandatory use of Proximity Detection Systems (PDSs), Aspasa has taken the lead in making sure its members are at the forefront of compliance. The DMR promulgated the use PDSs, col- lision avoidance systems (CAS) and motion inhibitors in December 2014. Aspasa is currently engaging with the Minerals Council (Chamber of Mines), original equipment manufac- turers (OEMs) and small-scale mines to ensure the risk evaluation is done properly. This is aimed at having a user guide with precise specifications

the success of our member opera- tions,” says Pienaar. The Aspasa health and safety auditor visits about 100 member quarries every year. The audits look at two key areas; firstly, the paperwork, all the way from people to COPs; and the second part entails an intensive walkaround on site to determine areas of attention. “The walkaround is very crucial. It’s not only about trying to see what’s wrong; it’s also about getting things rectified immediately,” says Pienaar. Based on ISO standards and adapted to cater for local requirements, the systems are audited annually, and non-compliances communicated directly to responsible persons on the mine. In the event of serious transgres- sions, the mine is given a fixed period of time to rectify the problem or have its membership revoked. Pienaar adds that in recent years the audits have identified another area of key attention – skills develop- ment. In the past two years, Aspasa has since expanded its portfolio to include training. “For example, a quarter of Section 54s issued at oper- ations are related to poor supervision. The audit has been tailored to look at that and we have since developed a training programme to help with supervision issues on sites.” Ongoing workshops dealing with specific areas of concern as high- lighted by the Department of Mineral Resources, as well as the industry and unions are also hosted by profession- als in these fields. There are three crucial things to Aspasa’s approach. “The first thing is that we keep companies up to date with the legislation. Secondly, we audit them and help them with

required for specific needs from a specific mine, and not off-the-shelve purchases. Four Aspasa small-scale mines have been selected to trial PDS units. By now, every operation should have done its risk assessments on TMM to determine its level of risk – if it is significant there is need to install warning devices (proximity detection) but not CAS (collision avoidance systems). The deadline for collision avoidance systems was initially set for 2019, but has subsequently been pushed to July 2020. “Aspasa plays an active role and takes the lead in formulating regula- tions and best practices that prevent injuries and save lives at member operations. Rather than bulldoze these into place, we work with the industry, the workforce and govern- ment to find workable solutions that not only prevent injuries, but contrib- ute towards better practices on our mines,” says Pienaar. “As a result of these efforts we are continuously approached by other sectors of the mining industry to represent them and have recently expanded from only representing quarries, to a much broader base. We were also recognised as being a world leader in the fields of health and safety by our peers in the Global Aggregate Information Network, which represents similar associations from across the globe, including the United States, Europe, China, Australia and several other countries,” adds Pienaar. In conclusion, Pienaar says Aspasa remains committed to the industry’s Zero Harm 2020 targets and continues to work tirelessly to help the industry achieve this goal. l

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MODERN QUARRYING QUARTER 2 - 2019