Test Feb 2021

FACE TO FACE WITH ASPASA

already started and an important invite has gone out to top and senior manage- ment to make the time to sit in on the audit in support of the process, and to show support for their line managers. “The issue of environmental compli- ance has become an important part of a mining license holder with the mining license dependent on this. The DMR has also established a specialist division in this regard. “ The audit document has minor changes, and the strategy for 2018 is in getting each operation’s focus clear and of value to the company and its employees. A further focus will be the satellite indus- tries housed in a mining area. In the past, these satellite operations have not paid attention to environment issues. What is important is that a contravention at the satellite operation could cause stoppage to the mining rights holder, resulting in a costly exercise. Looking at the year ahead, Pienaar says 2018 has started with a more posi- tive view of the year ahead. He says there are many roles that Aspasa has to play. “The issues of compliance, honesty and anti-corruption is something that we as an industry should focus on, but company executives also need to be aware of their individual roles. “Suddenly here in South Africa, we are seeing that politicians and government executives are being dealt with, and this will escalate to the business world. When getting to court, the expectation is that

auditors, who are specialists in their fields. Pienaar says the health and safety audit has its own safety protocol, which is revised annually. “All operations are visited and audits physically carried out, taking about eight hours at an operation. The audit also consists of a walk about, training and then paperwork verification.” The auditor gathers a substantial amount of information, allowing them to nominate member operations for the fol- lowing awards: • Top performer • Top independent performer • Consistency in achieving Showplace 5 years running • Most improved operations • H&S management awards for out- standing commitment • H&S representative 2017 • H&S service provider excellent • Best operations manager Certificates of achievement are presented to individuals and companies who have shown improvement and performance. These will be awarded at the IQSA/ Aspasa conference on 19 April, the main purpose being to recognise excellence in the fields of health and safety in the sur- face mining industry. In terms of the Aspasa About Face environmental audit, Pienaar says the issue of environment at an operation plays a crucial role for a mining licence. “We know that our About Face audit pro- gramme is one of the best auditing sys- tems in the world. This year’s audits have

the executive has taken reasonable steps to ensure that his company is in compli- ance with legislation.” Discussing due diligence further, he says it is important to keep up to date with the situation and the information applying to one’s particular household situation, “and this also includes health and safety and importantly, the environ- mental side of the business. “Executives must be able to under- stand their operation, and to seek assis- tance in identifying hazards and possible issues. Aspasa is able to do this for our members. They also have to ensure that the people who run and deal with their business are skilled and trained and that they fully understand the implications of non-compliance.” He says that as an executive, one should verify facts. “In a recent training course, the advocate and union leader told delegates that one of the f irst questions that a CEO is asked during an enquiry, is if they had taken reasonable steps to ensure that the MHSA has been properly performed. “In the fields of environmental and health and safety compliance, we need to ensure that all legal compliance issues are adhered to. As a forerunner in ensuring that at least two of these issues are dealt with properly, we have found that there are companies resisting compliance. We are told that the particular company is conducting its own audits and that train- ing on health & safety, and environmental compliance is a waste of money. What is Together with Prisma, Aspasa has developed a skills development analysis (SDA) tool which can be carried out at any company.

Aspasa’s work in representing the industry is aimed at creating a safe, sustainable, and level playing field, which has led to organisations outside the quarrying industry requiring assistance and membership.

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MODERN QUARRYING Quarter 2 / 2018