THE DIVERSITY IN MINING ISSUE | 2021
HEALTH & SAFETY
Mine OHS amid a
GLOBAL PANDEMIC Covid-19 impacted many areas of the mining industry, including occupational health and safety (OHS). Louise Woodburn, GM, KBC Health & Safety Risk Solutions, speaks to Inside Mining about OHS during Covid-19, as well as innovative technologies to drive its improvement in the mining industry. By Dineo Phoshoko
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ealth and safety is a broad term that can have different meanings depending on the context in which it used. From a mining industry perspective, Woodburn explains that mining is a high-risk environment and therefore requires a clear understanding of the legislative framework within the sector, to ensure that both employers and employees are protected from risks to which they are potentially exposed. She further adds that it is important to identify possible gaps in the legislative framework, which might require the implementation of relevant systems to assist with risk management. In so doing, a culture of OHS will be entrenched in the industry.
Impact of Covid-19 on mine OHS The global pandemic has mostly had a negative impact on all industries; however, Woodburn believes that there are some positive aspects to draw from Covid-19. From an OHS point of view, the pandemic has created awareness around legislation related to the management of biological agents. Covid-19 falls in the category of biological agents. Woodburn explains that Covid-19 serves as a practical example to manage something that has been widely discussed in the legislation but has been challenging to implement. “It has highlighted the need for health and safety within businesses.” In addition, the pandemic has also highlighted certain vulnerabilities in businesses when it comes to OHS protocols. “It shows us that if we can be proactive with health and safety, we could have
Louise Woodburn has 25 years’ experience in the safety industry (Credit: KBC Health & Safety)
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