Tag: Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA)
Single standard safety induction model can save mining houses
As one of the most dangerous industries in the world, it is for good reason that there are strict health and safety protocols in mining. Before starting work on any project for a mining house, every individual must complete the necessary health and safety induction at each mining site.
Understanding the importance of digital transformation in mines
At the end of last year, the world’s leading 40 mining companies had a combined revenue of approximately $925 billion. In fact, the net profits of these organisations grew by 127% on the back of high commodity prices and prudent cost management.
Dismissal emanating from wearing high-heeled shoes
The Labour Appeal Court recently issued an order refusing to grant leave to appeal against the judgment of the Labour Court, after the Labour Court reinstated an employee who was dismissed for voicing her dissatisfaction with the company’s policy on wearing high-heeled shoes on mine premises.
Key employer considerations in the MHSA Amendment Bill
Proposed amendments to the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) place greater obligations on employers, which is to be welcomed in some respects, but other amendments are problematic and may be open to legal challenge.
Factoring COVID-19 into the complex dynamic onboarding process
COVID-19 has brought another dynamic in managing the safety of employees on-site and has further complicated the process of onboarding. Clients now need to implement comprehensive back-to-work plans in order to quickly identify high-risk individuals, and those who have recently travelled in so-called ‘hotspots’.
COVID-19: can employees withdraw from the workplace?
Employees returning to work from the COVID-19 lockdown will need to show reasonable justification if they halt work on the basis that they are exposed to the virus. Legal provisions allowing employees to withdraw from a hazardous working situation could, in the context of COVID-19, be open to abuse by unprincipled employees or trades unions.
More legal muscle for mining communities
Recent regulatory developments have helped to increase the pressure that communities are able to exert on mining companies. This highlights the need for companies to implement more effective negotiations with and solutions for their affected communities.
