The trade union Solidarity said on Friday that it is undertaking a full investigation into accidents at Harmony Gold’s mining operations in the Free State, which it said have claimed 13 lives over the past six months.
After what it called “incisive” talks with the principal inspector of mines for the Free State, Ted Dow, in Welkom earlier on Friday, the union said the inspector of mines is to order a full investigation into mining safety in order to prevent similar fatal accidents.
“Solidarity’s occupational safety expert, Chris Pienaar, is of the opinion that the Harmony accidents are beginning to exhibit a pattern. Workers are anxious about possible lay-offs, causing increased tension that leads to the so-called ‘rattled workers’ syndrome’,” the union stated.
Impending job losses and increased production hang over the workers’ heads like a “two-edged sword”, according to Pienaar. He added that consensus has been reached between Solidarity and the inspector with regard to improved safety in the mining industry.
“Dow thanked Solidarity for the meeting. According to him, the situation is cause for concern and the inspector of mines is to order a full investigation into mining safety in order to prevent similar fatal accidents.
“Dow also said that operations have to comply strictly with the law.” — I-Net Bridge