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Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)

Notices

Guideline for the Compilation of a Mandatory Code of Practice for the Prevention, Mitigation and Management of COVID-19 outbreak

Part C: Format and Content of the Mandatory COP

3. Status of the mandatory COP

 

3.1. This section must contain statements to the effect that:

 

i. Due to the highly transmissible nature of the SARS-CoV-2, the employer will collaborate as far as possible with the local authorities in dealing with the control of the pandemic.
ii. The guideline has been compiled specifically with the view to provide guidance to all stakeholders regarding their roles and responsibilities with regard to the mitigation and management of the COVID-19 outbreak.
iii. This guideline requires the mitigation and management of the COVID-19 outbreak at the mine. In implementing the requirements of this guideline, the employer is required to continue complying with the provisions of the MHSA and the related guidelines including the Guiding Principles on the Management of COVID-19 Instruction issued by the CIOM.
iv. In ensuring that mine employees are provided with a healthy and safe working environment that is also maintained,the employer must put a procedure in place to be followed by employees to exercise section 23 of the MHSA during the COVID-19 outbreak.
v. This guideline and its annexures must be considered as living documents which allow for mandatory COPs to be updated as new developments on the prevention, mitigation and management of COVID-19 emerge.
vi. The employer must apply the requirements of this guideline as a minimum (where applicable) guiding principle in developing his/her own guideline in preventing and managing COVID-19 transmission.

 

3.2. The COP was drawn up in accordance with guideline DMRE16/3/2/5-A4 issued by the CIOM.

 

3.3. This is a mandatory COP in terms of section 9(2) and 9(3) of the MHSA.

 

The COP may be used in an investigation to ascertain compliance, and to establish whether the COP is effective and fit for purpose.

 

3.4. All managerial instructions, recommended procedures (voluntary COPs) and standards on the relevant topics must comply with the COP and must be reviewed to ensure compliance.