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

Notices

Guidance Note on Medico-Legal Investigations of Mine Deaths

Part A : The Guidance Note

13. Alleged Suicide Cases

 

Every year the South African mining industry experiences a number of suicides. The following will provide some guidance regarding evidence that must be gathered to enable the CloM to make a ruling in respect of whether the particular incident is a mine accident or not.

 

One must not lose sight of the fact that a suicidal person usually sends out signals of distress and whenever possible these need to be followed up to obtain a better picture of the situation.

 

13.1 Main reasons for committing suicide. These include but are not limited to the following:

 

– Major Depression
– Alcohol abuse
– Drug abuse
– Debts (financial problems)
– Marital problems
– Job loss
– Health problems including mental problems (medical records)
– Perceived rejection

 

13.2 Some main methods adopted to commit suicide: These include but are not limited to the following:

 

– Hanging (most common)
– Jumping from heights, into excavations
– Drowning

 

13.3 Some evidence which can be followed up:

 

– Suicide notes or personal letters (may not always be present).
– Statements from colleagues, friends or relatives regarding the personal problems faced by the person or admissions made.
– Evidence of financial difficulties and a plea for urgent assistance to colleagues, friends, relatives or employer.
– Clothing neatly stacked with cap lamp and hard-hat removed.
– A number of reported deaths have occurred shortly before the termination of work contracts or before onset of leave.

 

When recommending that a death be classified as a suicide, the Investigating Officer must bear in mind that an error in classificat ion can have severe social, legal and financial ramifications . With that in mind, the Investigating Officer must endeavour to completely understand the suicide by familiarising him/herself with the risk factors, the methods and the entire scenario , as well as the presence of myths and falsehoods.

 

13.4 Suspected substance abuse (alcohol and drugs)

 

As a matter of cause, blood samples should be taken for alcohol and substance tests .

 

NOTE:

In all cases the completed inquiry, together with the recommendations of the IoM, must be forwarded to the CloM to make the final ruling.