Acts Online
GT Shield

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

Regulations

Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice

Underground Rail Bound Equipment

Part C: Format and Content of the Code of Practice

7. Risk management

 

7.1 Section 11 of the MHSA requires the employer to identify hazards, assess the health and safety risks to which employees may be exposed while they are at work and record the significant hazards identified and risk assessed. The COP must address how the significant risks identified in the risk assessment process must be dealt with, having regard to the requirement of Section 11(2) and (3) that, as far as reasonably practicable, attempts should first be made to eliminate the risk, thereafter to control the risk at source, thereafter to minimize the risk and thereafter, insofar as the risk remains, to provide personal protective equipment and to institute a programme to monitor the risk.

 

7.2 To assist the employer with the risk assessment, all possible relevant information such as accident statistics, ergonomic studies, research reports, manufacturers' specifications, approvals, design criteria, performance figures for all relevant underground rail bound transport systems and equipment must be obtained and considered.

 

7.3 In addition to the periodic review required by Section 11(4) of the MHSA, the COP should be reviewed and updated after every serious incident relating to the topic covered in the COP, or if significant changes are introduced to procedures, mining and ventilation layouts, mining methods, plant or equipment and material.