Osh practices in rwanda's small scale mining

Assessing “the effectiveness of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practices in Rwanda‟s Small Scale Mines (SSM)”

By

Mr. Patrick KANANGA

A final dissertation submitted for the Master in occupational safety and health

University of Turin International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO)

August 2017

Abstract Problem statement - The International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology, Vol. 2, No 4, 2013, 622 – 633, reported that the practice of occupational health and safety among miners is deficient in most developing countries.

The report, (PROJEKT CONSULT GmbH, 2010), on Occupational Safety Health System for small scale Mines in Rwanda highlighted the need for efforts to formalize work arrangements with artisanal miners, eliminate, prevent and control safety and health risks and establish good work practices which go hand-in-hand with sustainable and responsible mineral development.

The same report also calls for the development of an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) System appropriate to small scale mining companies to support their certification under the Certified Trading Chains (CTC) program. The OSH System provides the policies, procedures, defined roles and responsibilities and systems of accountability needed by Companies to make progress towards a safe and healthy working environment, increased profitability and maintenance of their legal and social license to operate.

Rwanda‘s Country Profile, 2012 on Occupational Safety and Health revealed that mining is the top sector that exposes workers at high risk with 34% share of risks.

In 2013 the Government of Rwanda, through Official Gazette nº 31 of 05/08/2013 issued the mandatory standard entitled Code of Practice for Safety and Health in mining and quarrying: RS 566: 2011 in a bid to ensure the promotion of OSH best practices in mining and quarrying sector.

However, despite all efforts made and huge need for the implementation of effective Occupational Safety and Health practices in Rwanda‘s mining sector, this sector is still experiencing persistent various types of occupational risks and injuries and very few studies have been conducted in this regard.

Purpose - The main objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of Occupational Safety and Health in small scale mines in Rwanda. Its specific objectives of this study are: 1. To assess the level of implementation of OSH practices provided by OSH national standards 2. To draw recommendations for OSH practices improvement 3. To create a hypothesis for future studies.

Methods - Quantitative methods were used in this research in order to assess the effectiveness of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practices in Rwanda‘s Small Scale Mines.

Out of five SSM companies with at least 250 workers (including artisanal miners) two mining companies with limited and improved OSH practices were selected.

After consultation with Rwanda Mining, Petroleum and Gas Board1, Rutongo Mines Ltd and its two sub-contractors namely NGIRU Mining Ltd and NIYI Mining Ltd (663, 365 and 398 workers including artisanal miners during the time of research respectively) and King Mines 1

Mr. KAYIHURA Juvenal, mines inspector, was contacted for consultation i

Company Ltd (50 workers including artisanal miners during the time of research) have been selected totalizing 1,476 workers including artisanal miners.

Only 12.5% of the population of Rutongo Mines, NGIRU Mining Ltd and NIYI Mining Ltd will participate in the assessment which makes 178 workers while the whole population (50 workers) of King Mines Ltd available during the time the research was conducted shall participate in the assessment.

To select workers who participated in the assessment, the criterion was managers, workers representatives, OSH committee members and other ordinary staff with highest experience in the company.

In both companies, data were collected using semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires. Respondents were brought together in meetings and the researcher explained the objective of the research. Questionnaires, translated in Kinyarwanda, were distributed among respondents; the researcher provided explanations to questions in order to make them understandable to respondents. To avoid influence, managers and ordinary staff were divided in separate groups.

Assessment of ―the effectiveness of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practices in Rwanda‘s Small Scale Mines (SSM)‖ shall be evaluated using ―the code of practice for Safety and Health in mining and quarrying: RS 566: 2011‖.

Results - In Rutongo Mines Ltd and its two sub-contractors namely NGIRU Mining Ltd and NIYI Mining Ltd, all indicators regarding the preventive process which are hazard identification, defining and applying preventive measures as well as monitoring and evaluation of applied preventive measures were revealed as medium and out of all 25 compliance indicators that were considered in this research, majority of 12 indicators equivalent to 48%, were revealed as medium. Hence, the general OSH performance in the company scores a medium rating.

On the other side, for Kings Mines Ltd, all indicators regarding the preventive process which are hazard identification, defining and applying preventive measures as well as monitoring and evaluation of applied preventive measures were revealed as low and out of all 25 compliance indicators that were considered in this research, majority of 11 indicators equivalent to 44%, were revealed as low. Hence, the general OSH performance in the company scores a low rating.

Conclusion - Prevention is a key for any occupational safety and health promotion and it is through which that materials, environmental, ergonomic and psychosocial conditions can be improved.

From this research, we can conclude that the rating of the preventive process: risk assessment, hazard identification, defining preventive measures, applying preventive measures and monitoring and evaluation determines the rating of workplace conditions and this can be generalized to all workplaces in general and Rwanda‘s mining companies in particular.

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Recommendations - In accordance to this research, in order to have effective OSH practices and comply with national and international standards and promote OSH in Rwanda‘s mining sector, there is need to:  

 

demonstrate employers‘ commitment to OSH through developing and implementing an OSH policy; understand that preventive process: conducting risk assessment, hazard identification, defining and implementing preventives measures, monitoring and evaluation of implemented preventive measures is key in a bid to improve materials, environmental, ergonomic and psychosocial conditions; ensure workers‘ participation and capacity building through trainings; implement elements of OSH management system taking into consideration the context of the company.

Productivity based payment practice that is common in Rwanda‘s mining sector is another aspect that should also be taken into consideration while reforming the sector because it presents hindrances to OSH promotion.

Broadly, this research leaves a general recommendation that Rwanda‘s mining sector needs to improve the level of machinery, lay out, technical know-how and organizational conditions. In addition, access to finance as well as a shift from artisanal to small scale and small scale to large scale mining are also critical factors that can contribute to the promotion of OSH.

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Declaration of Work 1. This work is composed by the undersigned as an Individual Research Project.

2. This work has not been submitted in any previous application for a degree or a diploma, by any student of Research Project Group or anyone else.

3. This work is done wholly and solely by the author of this Individual Research Project.

4. All sources of information have been specifically acknowledged.

Name of the Student: Patrick KANANGA Signature: Date: 31st August 2017

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Acknowledgement First and foremost, I thank Almighty God for blessing me with the opportunity to join this course.

I also would like to thank the ITC/ILO and the Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA), for the sponsorship all facilitation that made me able to participate in this noble course that will be beneficial to my Country in general and personal carrier in particular.

I thank the ITC/ILO and University of Turin team including all lecturers for providing with me the knowledge and support during this master course.

Special thanks go to Mr. Felix Martin-Daza, Mrs. Daniela Trombetta and Mrs. Liza Zambernardi for coordinating the course and their academic and moral guidance that made this course a success.

I thank my classmates for their support both academic and social that was vital to the accomplishment of this course.

Furthermore, I dedicate special thanks to my supervisor, Prof Ing. Mario Patrucco, for his guidance and dedicating his time to my dissertation in order to make it successful but also to help make another step in as far as research is concerned.

I would like extend my sincere thanks to my family especially my mum, relatives and friends for their encouragements and support.

Special thanks to my fiancĂŠe, Ms. Betty MUTONI, for her support, encouragement and prayers that never ceased all the way from the beginning to the finalization of this course.

Finally, I owe special thanks to Mr. Samuel MULINDWA, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service and Labour by the time I started this course for his full support that helped me to participate to this master course.

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Permission to Consult I authorize others to consult this research and use its content for academic and scientific purposes.

Name of the Student: Patrick KANANGA Signature: Date: 31st August 2017

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE-INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 2 I.1 Background on small scale mining-General Overview ......................................................... 2 I.2 Definition ............................................................................................................................... 2 I.3 Significance of the sector ....................................................................................................... 4 I.4 Negative aspects of the sector ................................................................................................ 5 I.5 Background on Small scale mining in Rwanda ..................................................................... 6 I.6 Legal framework .................................................................................................................... 7 I.7 Relevant International Conventions ....................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER II - LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................. 8 II.1. Best practices in small scale mines -Global context............................................................ 8 II.1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 8 II.1.2 General provisions ......................................................................................................... 8 II.1.3 Mining accidents and dangerous occurrences.............................................................. 10 II.1.4 Hazards in the working environment ........................................................................... 11 II.1.5 Health, welfare and hygiene of mineworkers .............................................................. 14 II.1.6 Safety when mining ..................................................................................................... 16 II.1.7 Mechanical equipment ................................................................................................. 19 II.1.8 Explosives and blasting................................................................................................ 21 II. 2 Best practices in small scale mines -Rwanda situation ..................................................... 24 II.2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 24 II.2.2 Responsibility on health and safety in employment .................................................... 24 II.2.3 Health and Safety Management Systems ..................................................................... 27 II.2.4 Mine and Quarry Environment .................................................................................... 30 II.2.5 Personnel ...................................................................................................................... 31 II.2.6 Equipment and Machinery ........................................................................................... 35 II.2.7 Mobile Plant ................................................................................................................. 36 II.3 Conceptual framework for safety management system in mines ....................................... 38 II.3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 38 II.3.2 Safety management system .......................................................................................... 38 II.3.3 Developing a safety management system .................................................................... 39 vii

II.3.4 Developing controls and implementing a safety management system ........................ 43 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................... 49 III.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 49 III.2 Study design ...................................................................................................................... 49 III.3 Data collection................................................................................................................... 50 III.4 Evaluation tool .................................................................................................................. 50 CHAPTER IV: RESULTS ......................................................................................................... 51 IV.1 Rutongo Mines and its two subcontractors namely NGIRU Mining Ltd and NIYI Mining Ltd ............................................................................................................................................. 51 IV.2 King Mines Company Ltd................................................................................................. 58 CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND LIMITATIONS............... 62 V.1 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 62 V.2 Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 64 V.3 Limitations.......................................................................................................................... 64 BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................................... 65 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................. 68

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List of Tables Table 1: Summary of some of the criteria used by different African countries and the United Nations to define small-scale mining Table 2: OSH Policy Availability in Rutongo Mines Table 3: Lay out and machinery level in Rutongo Mines Table 4: Technical know-how level in Rutongo Mines Table 5: Hazards identification level in Rutongo Mines Table 6: Prevention measures level in Rutongo Mines Table 7: Workers‘ participation level in Rutongo Mines Table 8: Workers‘ training level in Rutongo Mines Table 9: Explosives safe use level in Rutongo Mines Table 10: Emergency management level in Rutongo Mines Table 11: Accounting underground workers level in Rutongo Mines Table 12: Workers‘ insurance level in Rutongo Mines Table 13: Accidents recording and reporting level in Rutongo Mines Table 14: Monitoring and evaluation level in Rutongo Mines Table 15: OSH staff availability in Rutongo Mines Table 16: Availability of OSH provisions with subcontractors in Rutongo Mines Table 17: Subcontractors‘ control level on OSH in Rutongo Mines Table 18: Availability of health surveillance system in Rutongo Mines Table 19: Level of sanitary facilities, drinking water and places for meals Table 20: PPEs availability in Rutongo Mines Table 21: PPEs substitution level in Rutongo Mines Table 22: First aid box availability in Rutongo Mines Table 23: Availability of first aid trained staff in Rutongo Mines Table 24: Availability of OSH signage in Rutongo Mines Table 25: Level of prevention of structures fall, dust hazards, heat stress and darkness in Rutongo Mines Table 26: Level of general OSH performance in Rutongo Mines Table 27: OSH Policy Availability in King Mines Company Ltd Table 28: Lay out and machinery level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 29: Technical know-how level in King Mines Company Ltd ix

Table 30: Hazards identification level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 31: Prevention measures level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 32: Workers‘ participation level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 33: Workers‘ training level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 34: Explosives safe use level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 35: Emergency management level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 36: Accounting underground workers level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 37: Workers‘ insurance level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 38: Accidents recording and reporting level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 39: Monitoring and evaluation level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 40: OSH staff availability in King Mines Company Ltd Table 41: Availability of OSH provisions with subcontractors in King Mines Company Ltd Table 42: Subcontractors‘ control level on OSH in King Mines Company Ltd Table 43: Availability of health surveillance system in King Mines Company Ltd Table 44: Level of sanitary facilities, drinking water and places for meals in King Mines Company Ltd Table 45: PPEs availability in King Mines Company Ltd in King Mines Company Ltd Table 46: PPEs substitution level in King Mines Company Ltd Table 47: First aid box availability in King Mines Company Ltd Table 48: Availability of first aid trained staff in King Mines Company Ltd Table 49: Availability of OSH signage in King Mines Company Ltd Table 50: Level of prevention of structures fall, dust hazards, heat stress and darkness in King Mines Company Ltd Table 51: Level of general OSH performance in King Mines Company Ltd

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List of Figures Figure 1: The elements of a safety management system Figure 2: General mining organizational structure in Rwanda Figure 3: Management approach in the legislation/New workplace conditions under consideration Figure 4: % of fatal accidents according their compliance with preventive process

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List of Abbreviations ASM: Artisanal and Small-scale Mining

GDP: Gross Domestic Product ILO: International Labour Organization ITC: International Training Center MIFOTRA: Ministry of Public Service and Labour MINIRENA: Ministry of Natural Resources MMSD: Mining, Mineral and Sustainable Development OSH: Occupational Safety and Health PPE: Personal Protective Equipment RS: Rwanda Standard SADC: Southern African Development Community SMS: Safety Management System SSM: Small Scale Mining

VWF: Vibration White Finger

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List of Appendices Appendix 1: Mining and quarrying-Code of practice RS 117 Appendix 2: Checklist Compliance Indicators

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CHAPTER ONE-INTRODUCTION I.1 Background on small scale mining-General Overview SSM sector is increasing in the world and in Africa in particular and is mostly practiced by artisans2 in rural areas (Compendium on best practices in Small Scale Mining in Africa, December 2002).

Small-scale mining activities often operate illegally and receive little recognition by authorities.

While most of the attention in the mining industry is focused on large companies, in many countries more minerals are extracted in the process of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)3.

Although SSM in Africa is still far from achieving its full potential, there are indications of positive efforts by individual countries to promote the sector (VingĂĽrd and Elgstrand, 2013).

In most cases, mining activities are done randomly with severe consequences on safety and health of workers, environment and the community in general. Small-scale mineworkers face huge safety and health problems – such as exposure to dust, mercury and other chemicals as well as poor ventilation, inadequate space and overexertion. The risks of death or fatal injuries caused by explosions, falling rocks or poor equipment are very high. Silicosis and mercury poisoning are occupational hazards of small scale mining that also extend to people living in the surrounding community.4 I.2 Definition There are currently no universal definitions of artisanal or small-scale mining. The lack of consensus, as echoed by several researchers, e.g., Priester et al., 1993; Taupitz et al., 1993 and others, is due to the fact that such a definition varies from country to country. Several attempts to arrive at a widely accepted definition of SSM have been made, based on criteria ranging from investment costs, labour requirements, ore production rates, and size of concessions, amount of reserves, annual sales or any combination of these. Some countries have more than one definition for small-scale mining. This is because a wide range of parameters is used to provide a definition for these activities, and it is also an attempt to differentiate between artisanal and small-scale mining proper.

The United Nations uses the volume of material mined to establish the boundary between smalland large-scale mining. This boundary was set at 50,000 tons of ore5 per annum for underground mines and 100,000 tons per annum for open pits (Barnea, 1978).

This definition raised many objections, as the amount of ore required to recover one ton of mineral A is not necessarily the same as for mineral B.

2 Artisans: means a person or company with low estimated quantity of mineral reserves, production estimates, technical know-how and competence and amount of capital investment 3 Small Scale Mine: means a person or company with medium estimated quantity of mineral reserves, production estimates, technical know-how and competence and amount of capital investment 4 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ 5 Ore: is a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted profitably 2

Some suggested that the definition of small-scale mining in the case of precious metals, (e.g., gold mines) should be based on the quantity of minerals produced, e.g., ounces of gold per annum rather than on tons of run-of-mine ore per annum. Other definitions use capital requirements to establish the boundary. Accordingly, any project which required less than $US 3-5 million to develop is considered to be a SSM project. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mining Co-ordinating Unit defined artisanal and small-scale mining operations by dividing them into three categories (Taupitz et al., 1993):   

Micro-scale mining or manual mining with simple tools without using mechanical energy; Manual mining, well organized, using some mechanical energy and plant with required investment between $10,000 and $100,000; and Industrial small-scale mining or small mines using modern, adapted technology and with required investment of $200,000 to $3 million.

Although the above categorization covers the entire range from artisanal to industrial SSM6, the introduction of the term ―micro-scale‖ mining was based on the argument that the dictionary defines ―artisan‖ as someone who does skilled work with his hands. This is not necessarily the case of small-scale miners.

This is a weak argument, since the categorization of such miners as ―artisans‖ stems from the fact that, over time, mining and mineral processing are performed using basic skills and unsophisticated technology developed within the trade, e.g., the excavation of pits as deep as 150m, devising support mechanisms, hoisting materials to surface, and fabricating mining and processing tools. This is reflected in the World Bank‘s definition of artisanal mining as ―a type of manual, low technology mining conducted on a small scale, predominantly in rural areas of the developing world‖ (World Bank, 1995).

The International Labour Organization (ILO) contends that small-scale mining means different things to different people. To some, it is dirty, dangerous, and disruptive and should be discouraged. To others, it is profitable and productive, or is simply the only way out of poverty.

During a survey conducted by the organization recently, responses to the question on what defines a small-scale mine revealed that definitions vary with the criteria used, namely (ILO, 1999):  Level of employment or number of workers for a particular mine;  Annual production output;  Capital investment;  Level of mechanization;  Size of claim; and  Depth of the mining operation.

The survey found that a combination of several of the above factors is very often used to define small-scale mining.

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Industrial mine or large scale mine: means a person or company with high estimated quantity of mineral reserves, production estimates, technical know-how and competence and amount of capital investment 3

Table 1: Summary of some of the criteria used by different African countries and the United Nations to define small-scale mining Country/Organization Côte d‘Ivoire Ethiopia Ghana Guinea Senegal South Africa Tanzania

Criteria Level of mechanization Annual production, level of mechanization Capital investment, number of participants Type of minerals exploited Depth of working, crude production levels Capital investment Capital investment, labour and technology requirements Annual production capacity Size of concession Size of concession, capital investment

United Nations Zambia Zimbabwe

In Rwanda, the law7 uses the following criteria to determine a small-scale mine:  Estimated quantity of mineral reserves: The estimated quantity of mineral reserves in a small-scale mine must be at least two hundred tonnes (200t). This estimated quantity shall be determined by the exploration report.  Production estimates: A small-scale mine must have an estimated production of minerals of at least three tonnes (3t) per month. This estimated production shall be determined by the exploration report or the production reports if the site used to be mined.  Technical know-how and skills: A small-scale mine shall use mining equipment including extracting and processing machines as well as skilled personnel with technical know - how.  Amount of investment capital: The amount of capital invested in a small-scale mine must be at least seven hundred million Rwandan francs (Rwf 700.000.000). This capital must be invested within a period not exceeding five (5) years.

I.3 Significance of the sector Nearly 13 million people worldwide work in artisanal and small-scale mining and an estimated 100 million depend on it for their livelihood (ILO, 1999). ASM extracts a wide range and large quantity of minerals – ranging from gold and precious stones to zinc, coal and bauxite. In Ghana, ASM produces 60% to70% of the diamonds mined in that country. Women provide up to 50% of the small-scale mining workforce, but their compensation typically lags behind that of male mineworkers.

ILO estimates that 3.0-3.7 million people are employed in small-scale mining in Africa, 6.7-7.2 million in Asia/Pacific countries, 1.4-1.6 million in Latin America and 0.4-0.5 million in

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Ministerial Order N°002/MINIRENA/2015 of 24/04/2015 on criteria used in categorization of mines and determining types of mines 4

developed countries (ILO, 1999). In developing countries, the number of those whose livelihoods in one way or another depend on SSM activities is between 80-100 million people.

SSM play an important role in socio-economic development of countries (The compendium on best practices in SSM in Africa, December 2002). The contribution of SSM included but is not limited to:  Poverty alleviation, especially in rural areas;  Reducing rural-urban migration especially for the unemployed youth;  Maintaining the vital link between people and the land;  Creating alternative economic activities;  Contributing to national incomes; and  Contributing to state revenues.

Because of its usual labour intensive nature, SSM offers wide opportunities for direct and indirect job creation more than large-scale mining, especially in rural areas. At the micro level, revenues generated from these activities increase local purchasing power as well as the demand for local products such as food, working tools, housing, and furniture. In turn, this creates more employment in other economic sectors such as agriculture, carpentry, fabrication and foundry.

In Rwanda, mining and quarrying comprises 80,000 employees equivalent to 2.8% of the total labour force which makes it the 7th branch of economic activity with the highest number of employed persons.8 I.4 Negative aspects of the sector Like any other activities, SSM has its negative aspects (Mining, Mineral and Sustainable Development (MMSD) report, January 2002). These aspects include:  lack or very reduced degree of mechanization, great amount of physically demanding work  low level of occupational safety and health care  deficient qualification of the personnel on all level of the operation  inefficiency in the exploitation and processing of the mineral production (low recovery of values)  exploitation of marginal and/or very small deposits, which are not economically exploitable by mechanized mining  low level of productivity  low level of salaries and income  periodical operation by local peasants or according to the market price development  lack of social security  insufficient consideration of environmental issues  chronically lack of working and investment capital  mostly working without legal mining titles.

For the case of Rwanda, mining and quarrying topped the list of sectors with highest number of Occupational injuries with 34% of all injuries.9 8

Pilot LFS February 2016 file:///C:/Users/mifotra/Downloads/Labour_Force_Pilot_Survey_Report_Feb_2016%20(1).pdf 9 Rwanda country profile on Occupational Safety and Health, 2012 5

I.5 Background on Small scale mining in Rwanda Prior to 1994, mineral commodities typically provided 10% of Rwanda‘s export earnings, mainly from concentrates of tin, tungsten, and columbium-tantalum ores and gold bullion. Although the Rwandan minerals sector has largely recovered, many obstacles continue to impede optimal use of its mineral endowments. Among them include lack of sufficient capital, a shortage of skilled labour, the country's landlocked status and transportation costs (amongst the highest in Africa).

In 1999, mining accounted for less than 1% of GDP and tungsten and tin ore and concentrates accounted for 5% of exports. In 2000, the government privatized Régie d'Exloitation et de Développement des Mines, the state mining exploration company. In the same year, mineral production estimates rose to 345 tons of tin ore (metal content, compared to 260 in 1998 and 400 in 1993); tungsten ore, 130 tons (from 49 in 1996 and 175 in 1993); cement, 69,600 tons; columbite-tantalite ore and concentrate (gross weight), 83,000 kg (down from 224,000 in 1998); and gold, 10 kg. Rwanda also produces natural gas while volcanic deposits in the west and northwest contained potassium minerals suitable for fertilizer production. Exploitation of the country's peat deposits has also escalated to meet subsistence farming needs. Cement was Rwanda's top industry in 2002, and tin ore was the fourth-ranking export commodity.

The Rwandan mineral industry consists mostly of a number of small companies, cooperatives and individual artisanal miners who produce ores and concentrates from locations dispersed across a 30 kilometer wide zone that extends east–west through Kigali. While some areas are legally operating, while most activities are only marginally mechanized, largely inefficient and characterized by widespread occupational safety and health risks (Report on Occupational Safety Health System for small scale Mines in Rwanda of July 15th, 2010).

In all cases, the company holds the concession and has the exclusive, legal right to sell minerals produced on these areas. To varying degrees, the company provides basic infrastructure, tools, equipment and formal management and supervision through permanent employees.

The actual mineral production is undertaken by contracted gangs of artisanal miners (2 to 60 miners per gang). These gangs are led/represented by a gang leader who sells the mineral product for an agreed price to the company and distributes the received payments among his/her gang members. Although some companies make formal arrangements with gang leaders, no documentation or arrangements with artisanal workers themselves have been made.

The informality of this arrangement is cause for several concerns including:  Lack of fairness in distribution of earnings from production. Companies entrust gang leaders to appropriately disseminate money while, if funds are inappropriately allocated, the artisanal miners themselves may be led to blame the Company.  Lack of accountability. As the artisanal miners and workers themselves are not known to the Company, there is little accountability for their practices. Risks are significant in the absence of systems for accounting for persons working underground, undercutting of weak rock or soil, work under the influence of drugs or alcohol and many more.  Difficulty controlling and managing activities. Although the hazards and risks are numerous, specific examples include undercutting of weak rock, explosives handling, preparation and use by any persons on-site, exploitation and mistreatment of women, potential for rushes, and many more.

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The Companies differ in their sense of responsibility for women and men miners, informal workers and their activities. In a few mines, artisanal miners (particularly those working underground) are treated almost equally to employees while many operations view them as independent contractors whose only purpose is to provide and sell minerals. Most Companies are not properly equipped with the resources and know-how to formalize work arrangements.

I.6 Legal framework    

The mining policy of 13th January 2010 does not specifically provide for occupational safety and health Article 33 of the Law n° 13/2014 of 20/05/2014 on mining and quarry operations provides for Health and safety of workers and other persons Occupational safety and health national policy of October 2014 highlights mining as the sector at high risk and calls for appropriate measures of intervention Mining and quarrying — Code of practice: First edition 2011-03-29 is the specific standard on occupational safety and health in mining sector.

I.7 Relevant International Conventions There are currently 21 ILO Conventions concerning OSH. The most relevant conventions for mining are:  ILO Convention No 155 concerning Occupational Safety and Health Convention and the Working Environment, (1983)  ILO Convention 187, Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health  Convention, (2006)  ILO Convention No.176, Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995  ILO Convention No. 161, Occupational Health Services Convention, (1985)  ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and Work.  ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour

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CHAPTER II - LITERATURE REVIEW II.1. Best practices in small scale mines -Global context II.1.1 Introduction In 2001, ILO released a handbook (Working Paper WP.168), which provides a set of health and safety guidelines for small-scale surface mines. This is in addition to ILO‘s Convention on Safety and Health in Mines, 1995 (No. 176), which covers all mines and provides the minimum requirements against which all changes in mining operations should be measured. Convention No. 176 is accompanied by Recommendations, No. 183, which provide more specific guidance to the Convention (Walle et al., 2001).

The handbook of guidelines is probably the first of its kind that addresses health and safety issues specific to small-scale mines. Although it does not cover underground operations, it addresses underground operations that are common in both surface and underground mines and it is a start in the right direction. In addition to the general principles and provisions of health and safety in small-scale surface mines, the guideline also addresses:  Mining accidents and dangerous occurrences;  Hazards in the working environment;  Health, welfare and hygiene of mineworkers;  First aid;  Personal protection equipment;  Safety when mining;  Mechanical equipment;  Explosives and blasting; and  Mine closure.

The guidelines set out the basic requirements for protecting workers‘ safety and health and contain recommendations on good mining practices to be followed in order to protect safety and health.

II.1.2 General provisions Duties of the mine operator The mine operator should:  Notify the mining authority before starting operations at any mine and before discontinuing or abandoning any existing mining activity.  Provide all the equipment, apparatus, facilities and finance to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, good mining practice and an appropriate standard of occupational safety and health at the mine.  Make sure everyone understands their safety and health responsibilities.  Appoint, depending upon the number of mineworkers employed and the nature and extent of mining operations, one or more competent persons — supervisor — to supervise and control the operations at the mine.  Encourage the workforce to be actively involved in safety and health.

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Requirements for employment Work in mine often has to be performed in a hostile and dangerous environment. It can be made safe and productive by continual human effort. Such efforts cannot succeed unless all workers have certain skills and a good knowledge of possible hazards and risks.

It is therefore vital to have competent and experienced persons who should be constantly on the site of the mine to supervise and control the operations and carry out regular inspections.

Supervisors should have immediate charge of all persons employed within the mine area of operation and should be responsible for the safety, health and welfare of all persons assigned to them.

Each newly recruited mineworker should receive instructions, guidance and supervision in their respective work from the supervisor and adequate on-the-job training before being starting work.

This instruction should include:       

Introduction to the working environment.

Health and safety aspects of the task to be assigned.

Hazard recognition and avoidance.

Hazards relating to explosives.

Ground control and working in areas of high walls.

Hazards of machinery and equipment.

Basic knowledge of first aid.

No mineworker should be assigned to work alone in a remote place or where a hazard might exist.

Obligations of mineworkers No mineworker should take any action at work which could cause danger to other workers, damage to mining equipment or obstruct production.

Every worker should fully comply with rules or instructions issued by the mine operator and should make proper use of and take reasonable care of any personal equipment provided for his protection.

Action to prevent danger Every mineworker while at work should:  Take reasonable care for the safety and health of himself or herself and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions.  Comply with instructions given for his own safety and health and those of others.  Report immediately to the supervisor any situation which he or she considers hazardous and which he or she cannot correct themselves. If this measure cannot be taken, the mineworker should immediately warn all workers who could be in danger.  Report any accident10, injury11 or dangerous occurrence12 which arises in the course of or in connection with work.

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Work accidents: are accidents occurring at or in the course of work which may result in death, personal injury or disease.

11 Occupational injuries: include deaths, personal injuries and diseases resulting from work 9

Every mineworker should leave the area as soon as possible after being warned of danger, except for rescue or first-aid workers who may be required to assist in rescue work.

Mine facilities As far as possible, at or near every site where mining is regularly carried out, there should be:  A clearly marked storage facility for first-aid equipment.  Somewhere to store safety and personal protection equipment.  Secure storage for explosives and shot-firing equipment.  Somewhere to store mining tools and equipment.  Adequate washing, sanitary and changing facilities.  Adequate accommodation for mineworkers when mining operations are located in remote areas.

Relations between the mine owner/operator and the workforce should be based on regular consultation, consensus, and fairness.

II.1.3 Mining accidents and dangerous occurrences Response to mining accidents and dangerous occurrences At any mine13 where an accident or dangerous occurrence takes place, the mine operator14 should ensure that:  

The necessary steps are taken to evacuate and treat injure d mineworkers and immediate action is taken to prevent further danger arising from the event.

An investigation into the cause of the mining accident or dangerous occurrence is carried out and preventive action is taken to avoid similar events in the future.

The result of the investigation is recorded in a book provided for that purpose and the mining authority is notified about the event.

After a mining accident or dangerous occurrence, the mining authority should assist the mine to ensure that improved practice will prevent it from happening again.

12

Dangerous occurrence: A readily identifiable event, as defined under national laws and regulations, with the potential to cause an injury or disease to persons at work or to the public, e.g. a crane toppling over that results only in damage to property.

13 Mine: the area where mining operations are carried on, continuously or from time to time; it includes buildings for administration, accommodation and associated facilities or an underground excavation for the extraction of mineral deposits, in contrast to surficial excavations such as quarries. The term is also applied to various types of open-pit workings 14 mine operator: the person in control of the mine 10

II.1.4 Hazards in the working environment In surface mine as well as underground mines, major hazards15 are but are not limited to rock dust and fumes, excessive noise, vibration, heat stress and ergonomic problems which can create health risks to mineworkers who are subject to frequent and prolonged exposure to them.

Dust Airborne contaminants, such as rock dust, are mainly produced during drilling operations, mineral getting, loading, crushing of rock or ore, and blasting. Persons exposed to excessive dust for prolonged periods may suffer from permanent lung diseases, such as silicosis16.

As far as practicable, the escape of dust into the atmosphere should be prevented, particularly in stagnant zones.

Dust should be controlled or suppressed by:  Using wet drilling techniques.  Using water sprays during mineral getting, loading, crushing.

In general, any stone surface being worked should be kept moist to reduce the escape of dust into the atmosphere.

Where such dust control measures are not provided or have not been developed, mineworkers exposed to excessive dust concentrations in their working environment should always use personal protective equipment, such as dust masks, to prevent dust from being inhaled.

Harmful fumes Fumes, produced during shot-firing operations contain toxic gases (such as sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, etc.) which, when inhaled, can dramatically reduce Oxygen content in mine air thus producing a toxic atmosphere and lead to serious health damage.

Mineworkers should not approach a working face after shot-firing until the dust and gaseous products of the blast have completely dissipated.

The combustion of diesel fuel in engines produces diesel engine exhaust, a complex mixture of gases and particulates that can contain other known and suspected carcinogens such as benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, and particulate matter. Frequent and prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust is a health risk and should be prevented.

As far as practicable, stationary diesel equipment should not be operated in stagnant zones or close to workplaces.

Persons should not work or travel where hazards may be created as a result of impaired visibility due to dust or fumes.

15

Hazard: anything with the potential to cause harm Silicosis: lung fibrosis caused by the inhalation of dust containing silica possibly leading to lung cancer (IARC).

16

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Simple dust masks do not protect against toxic gases which are present in after-blast fumes or in diesel exhaust fumes.

Noise Repeated or prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels will lead to hearing impairment.

Potential sources of noise emissions include compressors, drilling machines, pick-hammers or other mechanical equipment used at a mine.

Wherever possible, such noise sources should be muffled with an effective acoustic absorbing material so as to reduce noise emissions to tolerable levels. Increasing the distance between the noise source and the listener is often a practical method of noise control.

Where such noise control measures are not possible, comfortable and practical personal hearing protection devices, such as approved ear plugs or ear muffs, should be worn by every person exposed to noise levels exceeding 90 dbA. Since the sound pressure of pick-hammers or drilling machines normally exceeds acceptable levels, every person working with or in the vicinity of such devices should always use ear protection.

Vibration Workers operating hand-held machinery, especially pneumatic rock drills and pick-hammers — even for one hour a day — can suffer from the effects of vibration in their hands and arms.

Vibration White Finger (VWF) or ―dead finger‖ starts when the fingers become numb.

VWF can lead to gangrene.

There is no cure for Vibration White Finger.

Prevention and control of Vibration White Finger Avoid long periods using equipment. Work in short bursts.

Use modern, vibration-dampened equipment.

Repair or replace old equipment or fit anti-vibration handles.

Grip handles as lightly as possible.

Support heavy tools so that a lighter grip can be used.

Maintain vibrating tools to minimize vibration levels.

There is no personal protective equipment that has proved to be effective against hand and arm vibration syndrome.

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Heat stress Workers should be informed of the nature of heat stress and its adverse effects, as well as of protective measures. They should be taught that heat tolerance is very dependent on drinking enough water (not merely satisfying thirst) and eating a balanced diet.

Workers should also be taught the signs and symptoms of heat disorders (e.g. dizziness, faintness, breathlessness, palpitations, and extreme thirst).

Workers should have ready access to water or other appropriate drinks which encourage rehydration. Carbonated drinks and drinks containing caffeine and heavy concentrations of sugar or salt should not be offered.

Safe, potable water should be located within close to each worker or brought to the worker every hour.

Clean cups should be provided and water containers should be shaded or cooled to 15-20°C. Modified work practices can reduce the likelihood of heat stress — e.g. by reducing individual workload through the provision of tools or task-sharing, or by scheduling appropriate breaks.

Ergonomics Many aspects of mining work carry risk of injury to the upper and lower limbs or spine, either because of the manual handling tasks involved or because of awkward postures.

Basic ergonomic requirements should be considered, including workplace layout, design of equipment and tools, working techniques, working time and rest patterns.

Patterns of movement • Avoid crooked or twisted positions.

• Aim for rhythmical movements but avoid monotonous ones.

• Horizontal movements are easier to control than vertical ones.

• Avoid reaching out any further than necessary.

• Try to keep movements symmetrical when working with both hands.

Using strength • Dynamic actions are preferable to static ones.

• Find a movement in which there is sufficient strength to carry out a task, or redesign the task.

• For each system of joints, bones, muscles and tendons, there is a range of movements which can be carried out most efficiently. Tasks should use this range of movements.

• The heavier the load that is carried in front of the body, the closer it should be to the body.

The main causes of injury are heavy loads, awkward working positions, repetition, working under pressure.

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II.1.5 Health, welfare and hygiene of mineworkers The mine operator should make such provisions as may be necessary to ensure appropriate health care, welfare and hygiene of mineworkers.

Health care The health of mineworkers should be checked by a competent physician before being assigned to work in a mine for the first time. Periodic health examinations should also be arranged, especially for workers in places where the material handled or the process could be hazardous to health.

A mineworker who is ill or in any way incapable of normal activity should not be allowed to work.

Changing and bathing facilities Where possible, the mine owner should provide adequate facilities at the mine site for the changing, storage and washing of clothes and for bathing by mineworkers. Water supplied for washing and bathing should be of sufficient purity and must not come from a sump that is part of the works, unless it has been suitably treated. Waste water should pass straight to a drainage system.

Sanitary facilities The mine owner should ensure that surface mine works are equipped with latrines and urinals that are located and fitted out in such a way as not to spread odours.

They should be installed so that they do not pollute the working environment— such as in inactive workings.

Latrines and urinals should always be kept clean and disinfected. Other places than the latrines should not be used for such purposes.

Drinking water A mineworker should never drink mine water.

An adequate supply of potable drinking water should be provided at all main work sites during working hours.

If it is safe to drink from wells on site, they should be located so that they will not be contaminated by waste water from the mine (e.g. outside the mining area, higher than the mine drainage level).

Drinking containers should be dust proof and kept closed when not in use. Drinking water should not be contaminated in any way.

Areas for food Food should not be stored or consumed in any area that is exposed to hazardous material, vapour or dust.

Food should be stored and consumed in clean, sheltered places. Rest stations may be established for that purpose.

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Intoxicating beverages and narcotics Intoxicating beverages and narcotics should not be permitted or used in or around mines. Persons appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or narcotics should not be allowed to work.

First aid Workers and supervisors should be able to respond quickly to incidents and accidents and provide basic first aid and treatment to injured persons.

Rapid first-aid treatment can prevent further serious health damage or even loss of life to injured persons.

The mining operator should ensure that suitable, regularly replenished and properly maintained first-aid kit is provided at a strategic location where mining operations are performed. The firstaid kit should be easily accessible and ready for use at any time while any person is at work.

The minimum equipment required to ensure adequate first-aid treatment should include:  a stretcher for transporting persons unable to walk;  a blanket for persons in shock;  sufficient bandages and sterile dressings for open wounds on limbs, body and head;  splints for fractures of limbs;  disinfectants;  any other first-aid material that may be required due to the nature of work and recommended by a competent physician.

Every effort should be made to ensure that at least one employee is trained in first-aid applications (the mining authority should provide first-aid training) who should be on site while mining activity is carried out.

Action following a mining accident At any mine where there has been an accident, the necessary measures should be immediately taken to:  Remove injured mineworkers to a safe place for first-aid treatment. In case of important trauma such as spine trauma, an evaluation by experts should be conducted to ensure if removing injured worker is necessary and how the removal can be done;  Eliminate further danger arising from the event.

Any worker involved in rescue operations should take reasonable care for the safety and health of himself or herself and not endanger themselves by rash action where there are unknown risks.

No person should be allowed to enter the area where there has been an accident, except when it has been made safe and express permission is given by a competent person.

Every injury to a mineworker, however small, should be reported to the person in charge of first aid at the mine for checking up and treatment before the injured person returns to work or leaves the mine.

Arrangements should be made for transporting injured or sick persons to a hospital or other suitable medical facility, for example through cooperation between mine sites in close proximity.

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Personal protective equipment The mine operator should provide, free of charge, the personal protective equipment that is to be worn when hazards cannot be eliminated —and ensure that it is worn properly and maintained in good condition.

The basic personal protective equipment should be:  Safety helmet (hard hat) where falling objects might create a hazard.  Protective gloves when handling materials or performing work which might cause injury to the hands.  Suitable protective footwear (e.g. safety shoes or rubber boots) where there is a danger of slipping or of injury to the feet.  Hearing protection where excessive noise levels are produced (e.g. where compressors, drilling machines or pick-hammers are used).  Dust mask where excessive airborne dust is produced (e.g. during drilling or rockbreaking).  Safety glasses/goggles where there is a danger from flying particles that may cause injury to the eyes (e.g. where hard rock is to be broken).

Other personal protection may also be required, such as:  Closely-fitting clothes when working with or around moving machinery or equipment;  Safety belts and lines where there is a danger of falling.

This minimum standard protection should be worn at all times in and around the mine.

II.1.6 Safety when mining Posting warning signs and barriers A surface mine often consists of deep trenches or large holes. There is a high risk that a mineworker or member of the public could fall in. Such workings should be surrounded by a secure fence or otherwise securely barricaded. Suitable warning signs to forbid unauthorized entry and subsequent fall of any person should be posted.

Ground conditions or any other dangerous condition in the mine that creates a hazard to persons should be corrected before other work or travel is permitted in the affected area. Until corrective work is completed a warning sign against entry should be posted. When left unattended, a barrier should be installed to prevent unauthorized entry.

Travel ways and safe means of access Mineworkers often have to use difficult terrain to travel to and from their work places within the mine (e.g. climbing or walking along steep pit walls and excavations where there may be a danger of slipping or falling, a slide of material, rock fall, etc.).

To reduce these hazards, the stability of any pit wall, bench or slope where persons normally travel to and from their assigned work places should be regularly examined and properly maintained.

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Each place in the mine where any person normally works should be provided with appropriate travel ways.

Any access exceeding an inclination of 50 degrees from the horizontal should be provided with fixed stairs or a ladder.

Stripping of overburden Surface mining activities generally start with the removal of overburden, typically loose ground or decomposed rock. This material is potentially unstable and could easily collapse or slide, especially when wet.

Any excavation of loose ground should therefore not be done by undercutting or by forming steep slopes. The slope of loose ground or decomposed rock should be kept at an angle (not more than 45 degrees) that ensures stability.

Vegetation, such as large bushes and trees, should be removed from the overburden before stripping reaches the roots to prevent hazards due to falling trees.

To prevent loose soil from sliding back into the mine:  pit or wall perimeters consisting of soil or unconsolidated material which could create a fall-of-material hazard, should be stripped back for at least 3 meters from the top of the pit or quarry wall; and  all material from the stripping of overburden should be removed to a safe distance from the working edge of the mine excavation and be shaped to a safe angle of repose (30 - 40 degrees from the horizontal).

Working on walls and benches Falls of rock at the working face, the collapse of the working face and landslides are major risks in the production areas of surface mines. They are often the cause of serious mining accidents.

The design and layout of the working faces should therefore be such that the danger of material fall is minimized.

This can be done by applying a benching (terraced) system instead of having a steep pit wall.

Any wall, slope or bench, where work is to be performed should be regularly examined for cracks or other signs of stress or weakness, in particular:    

prior to commencing any work; after blasting; after heavy rainfall; and as ground conditions warrant.

Under no circumstances should any face, side or bench be worked in a way that causes unsupported overhanging or undercutting.

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Where the undercutting of a working face is essential, a sufficient means of support (e.g. sturdy wooden props) should be properly installed to prevent overhanging material from collapsing.

In any alluvial layer, consisting of sand, clay, pebbles or similar loose material, a single bench for manual working should normally not exceed 2.5 meters in height. Also the maximum slope should be less than 45 degrees.

When working in solid material or hard, rock the height of a single bench should not exceed 6 meters for manual working. Also, the slope angle should be less than 60 degrees from the horizontal.

Each terrace floor of a multi-bench system should be wide enough to allow persons to work and travel freely and safely. A bench width of at least 3 meters is recommended; this also provides some protection against rock fall.

Scaling Wherever loose rock or soil at any working face could create danger to persons. It should be scaled down or supported in a safe manner before other work or travel is permitted in the affected area.

If possible, scaling should be done from the top of the working face downward. All persons should be removed from below the scaling area.

Scaling should be carried out from a location which will not expose persons to injury from falling material.

If scaling is performed from below the face, the scaling bar should be of a length and design that will allow the removal of loose material without exposing the person performing this work to injury.

Other work When digging pits, trenches or other such works, any face or side wall over 1.5 meters high should be securely supported (e.g. by installing struts) to prevent any falls or slips of the wall material back into the excavation.

When using water monitors to dislodge rock or earth from a vertical wall, make sure the hose and nozzle are firmly fixed. Stand well back from the wall a well clear of the debris as it falls and washes away to the pump or sump.

If any work has to be done manually on a face that is more than 2.5 meters above the ground, the workers should wear a safety harness or rope that is fastened to a secure anchor well clear of the top of the face.

Any tunnel or adits being driven into the face for exploration, drainage or any other purpose should be securely supported as ground conditions warrant.

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Where such underground adits exceed a length of 6 meters, arrangements should be made to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, either by artificial or natural ventilation.

Inadequate ventilation in underground workings may result in a lack of oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide. Thus the atmosphere therein should be regularly checked for O2 and CO2 concentrations. The level of O2 should not fall below 19.5%; the level of CO2 should not exceed 0.5%.

Unventilated areas underground should be barricaded and signs posted to prevent entry.

Mine drainage Most small mines do not encounter strong groundwater inflow, unless they are close to and below the level of a river. But they often have problems in dealing with surface water during and after heavy rainfall. Such surface water can adversely affect the stability of the pit strata, wash out slopes and terraces, and even flood the mine. Heavy mudflow and slope failure are often consequences of surface water entering the mine.

Whenever possible, surface water should be prevented from entering mine workings by digging ditches to trap the water and conduct it away from the pit.

Drainage channels should be well away from the edge of the excavation and constructed as to minimize storm runoff entering the pit.

As far as possible mine workings should be arranged so that water is discharged naturally (e.g. into lower abandoned workings).

Channeling incoming water down the slopes to collection points could also be an effective way to protect the slopes of surface mines. Where necessary, water pumps should be installed at such collection points.

II.1.7 Mechanical equipment General requirements All machinery and apparatus that is used in surface mines should be robust, fitted with appropriate protective safety devices and maintained in good condition.

Where the location of a mine site makes it difficult to get spare parts, it is even more important to keep machinery in good working order by regular servicing and maintenance. Servicing and maintenance should be carried out according to a scheme prepared by the mine operator, or to the manufacturer‘s specifications.

As a safety measure, any power tool for hand-held use should be failsafe, i.e. operated with controls that require constant hand or finger pressure.

Only a competent person should undertake any work on machinery where technical knowledge or experience is required.

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Operation of pneumatic pick-hammers Any mechanical part affecting the safe operation of pneumatic pick-hammers, such as hose connections pick retainer and the state of pick, should be checked for any defect by the equipment operator before being put into operation. The same applies to pneumatic drills.

Extraction operations by pick-hammer should be performed from a position which will not expose the operator to injury from falling material.

Lubricating oil should be used before a pick-hammer is started and at intervals as required during operation.

Material that is to be broken by pick-hammers (secondary breakage) should be positioned or blocked to prevent any movement which could endanger persons in the work area.

Before pneumatic pick-hammers are moved from one working place to another, the air compressor should be turned off and air bled from the hose.

Pick-hammers should not be used for breaking material that could contain misfired explosives or detonators.

Drilling operations Drilling equipment should be inspected and any defects corrected before it is used.

The drilling area should be inspected for hazards before starting drilling operations.

Drill crews and others should stay well clear of rotating augers or drill stems. Persons should not pass under or step over a rotating drill stem or auger.

Drills should be attended at all times while they are in operation.

Persons should not hold the drill steel while collaring holes, nor rest their hands on the chuck while drilling.

Persons should not drill when their footing is not secure or when standing on staging or equipment that is not suitable for drilling.

Before drills are moved from one place to another the air compressor should be turned off and air bled from the hose.

Holes should not be drilled where there is a danger of intersecting a misfired hole or a hole containing explosive material.

Compressors and related equipment Com pressed air vessels should have a safety certificate in accordance with regulations.

Normally they should withstand at least five times the maximum design operating pressure.

All pipe/hose constructions and connections should be able to withstand the operating air pressure and flow. Suitable locking devices should be used at connections between machines and 20

high pressure hose lines, particularly where a connection failure could create a hazard to the operator or other persons.

On any compressor or pressure storage vessel, safety equipment should be installed that is suitable for working constantly under the maximum permissible operating pressure. The equipment should include:   

pressure gauge; temperature gauge; safety valve to release excess pressure.

The temperature inside a compressor should not exceed 40°C below the flash point of the lubricating oil used (i.e. not more than 160 ° C). Whenever the compressed air temperature exceeds the limit, or some defect is found in the cooler, the compressor should be stopped.

The compressor lubricating oil should have a flash point higher than 200°C. Animal or vegetable oil should not be used for lubrication.

Compressor air intakes should be as clean and dry as possible. Air filters should be used to ensure that only uncontaminated air enters the compressor.

The compressed air flow from the compressor to the point of use should be kept as dry and as cool as possible.

Never direct compressed air towards a person. Take all necessary precautions to protect persons using compressed air tools & equipment from injury.

II.1.8 Explosives and blasting General requirements Blasting operations should not take place without the approval of the mining authority.

Only explosives and detonators approved by the mining authority and provided by the mine operator should be used at a mine.

Only persons who are trained, certified and experienced in the handling and use of explosive material should direct blasting operations and related activities.

The operator of every mine at which explosives are used should provide the equipment and materials necessary to enable blasting operations to be carried out safely.

Storage of explosive material Explosive material should be stored in magazines which, as far as possible, should meet the following requirements:  be structurally sound;  be made of non-combustible material, or the exterior covered with fire-resistant material;  be lined with non-sparking material;  have ventilation holes at the upper and lower part of the building to control dampness and excessive heating; 21

    

have appropriate warning signs that indicate the contents; be kept clean and dry inside; be locked when unattended; be used exclusively for the storage of explosive material; be electrically grounded when made of metal.

Areas surrounding storage facilities for explosive material should be clear of rubbish, brush, dry grass and trees for 10 meters in all directions.

Other combustible material (e.g. gasoline; diesel) should not be stored or allowed to accumulate within 20 meters of explosive material.

Detonators should not be stored in the same magazine as other explosives, unless they are kept in a separate compartment.

When stored in the same magazine, blasting agents should be kept separate from explosives, safety fuses and detonating cords to prevent contamination.

A suitable person should be appointed by the mine operator to be in charge of explosives at the mine. This person should be over 21 years of age and competent in the storage, handling and use of explosive material.

Conveying explosives Explosive material should be transported without undue delay to the blast site.

Closed, non-conductive containers should be used to carry explosives and detonators to and from blast sites.

Separate containers should be used for explosives and detonators.

Explosive containers should be clearly marked, indicating their content.

Charging and shot-firing operations Explosives should not be taken to the blast site until the blast holes are ready to be charged.

Explosives and blasting agents should be kept separated from detonators until charging begins.

Explosive material should be protected from impact and from temperatures in excess of 65°C when taken to the blast site.

No person should smoke, have a naked light or any other appliance that could generate heat or sparks in the vicinity of holes that are being charged with explosives.

Charges should be made up only at the time of use and as close to the blast site as conditions allow.

Once charging begins, the only activity permitted within the blast site should be that which is directly related to the blasting operation.

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Before charging, blast holes should be checked for obstructions which should, as far as possible, be cleared.

Explosives should not be forcibly pressed into a blast hole for any reason. Tamping (compressing the explosive in the hole to reduce air spaces) should only be done with nonsparking equipment, such as bamboo-type charging rods.

After a blast hole has been charged, it should be stemmed by using fine sand in small paper packets or clay ―noodles‖.

Unused explosive material should be transferred to a protected location, as soon as practicable after charging is completed.

Once charging is completed and the circuits have been connected, the firing of shot holes should take place without undue delay.

Before firing a shot hole the responsible person should:  Check the completed circuit to ensure that the components are properly connected.  Give ample warning to allow all persons to be evacuated from the blasting area.  Guard or barricade all access routes to the blast area to prevent the passage of persons.

No work should resume in the blast area until it is free of after- blast fumes and a post-blast examination by the person in charge has verified that there are no potential blast-related hazards.

Handling of misfires When a misfire (i.e. a shot or any part of a round of shots fails to explode) is suspected, persons should not enter the blast area until at least 30 minutes after the time of firing.

Faces and muck piles should be examined for any misfire.

Only work necessary to remove misfires should be permitted in the affected area until the misfire is disposed of safely.

Cessation of mining / mine closure No small-scale surface mine or any other mine site should be abandoned without any rehabilitation. Nor should it be left in a condition that could lead potential hazards to the public or damage to the environment. The mining authority should ensure that its requirements for abandonment are met.

Every mine operator should ensure that the necessary steps are taken to meet the requirements of the mining authority to prevent any danger arising from abandoned mine sites, either by progressive rehabilitation during ongoing mining operations or after the completion of mining activities.

Rehabilitation measures should include, but not be limited to:  Removal of any harmful or toxic substances, machinery, mine structure and any other left-over material likely to be harmful to persons or nature.

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 

Refilling and levelling of deep excavations or holes that may create a danger of fall to persons. Where this is not possible, such danger areas should be provided with secure fencing or otherwise barricaded.

Re-contouring (e.g. by trimming slopes to a safe angle), stabilizing (e.g. by revegetation) of potentially unstable faces, pit walls, benches or waste dumps to reduce erosion or potential slope failure.

II. 2 Best practices in small scale mines -Rwanda situation II.2.1 Introduction Although there are different legislations regulating mining and quarrying industry in Rwanda, Mining and quarrying — Code of practice: First edition 2011-03-29 is the only standard specific for the sector.

The code of practice for mines and quarries is designed to support the national mining law and includes other subjects that are not dealt with in the law and that may have an influence on mineral traceability, transparency, good practice and on the environmental impact of mining operations for mineral certification system by an independent certifier based on the levels of compliance with the requirements provided in this document.

This standard establishes a best practice guide for facilitating and encouraging continual improvement in the management of health and safety of employees and in the environmental performance of mining facilities throughout the mine and quarry life cycle in Rwanda.

It is intended to be a resource for mine and quarry owners and operators and regulatory agencies, as well as the general public, particularly those people in communities potentially affected by mining and quarrying activities.

This standard sets out the following practices: II.2.2 Responsibility on health and safety in employment The principal objective of health and safety in employment is to prevent harm to employees at work. The owners and managers of mines and quarries should set up good programs for health and safety management for their workers.

Employer‟s responsibilities An employer shall have a general duty to take all practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers while at work. In particular, employers shall be required called upon to:  provide and maintain a safe working environment  provide and maintain facilities for the health and safety of workers at the site  ensure that machinery and equipment in the place of work is designed, made, set up, and maintained to be safe for employees  ensure that there are control measures set up for workers exposed to hazards in their daily work  ensure that all the workers are covered by an insurance institution for risks  develop procedures for dealing with emergencies that may arise while employees are at work 24

 

ensure that all workers are either initially trained / competent to operate plant and equipment or are clearly supervised by someone who is competent. post procedures / working instructions in public places for easy accessibility to the public.

Hazard Prevention Hazard prevention starts at the planning stage of a mining project and continues during operation, mine closure and after-care. Therefore effective public mechanisms should be in place which covers permitting and controlling, where the permitting process covers the entire lifecycle of a mining operation including the after-use.

Hazard Management Employers should undertake the risk management which involves the following four steps:  identify hazards – find out what could cause harm  assess risks if necessary – understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening  control risks – eliminate the risk or, if this is not possible, minimize the risk through risk control measures  review control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

This does not preclude responsibility on workers to participate in the hazard management process.

Where the hazard is significant, the employer should take the following steps constituting the hierarchy of hazard control      

eliminate the hazards substitute the hazard with something safer isolate the hazard from people reduce the risks through engineering controls reduce exposure to hazard using administrative actions use personal protective equipment.

Employers should establish systems for the process of identifying and managing hazards and regularly review the hazards to identify any changes in status.

Information for workers Employers should inform their workers and the health and safety representatives of:  emergency procedures;  hazards the employee may be exposed to while at work (ongoing);  hazards the employee may create while at work which could harm themselves and other people;  how to minimize the likelihood of these hazards becoming a source of harm to others;  the location of safety equipment and how to use and maintain it.

The employer shall inform employees of the results of any monitoring of health and safety exposure in the workplace. In doing so, the privacy of individual employees should be protected.

The employer should ensure employees are either sufficiently competent to do their work safely or supervised by an experienced and trained person.

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In addition, the employee shall be adequately trained in the safe use of equipment in the place of work, including protective clothing and equipment.

An employer is also responsible for the health and safety of people who are not employees. An employer should take all practicable steps to ensure that an employee does not harm any other person while at work, including visitors and the population in general.

Training of workers 1. The employer shall ensure that each worker receives adequate safety and health training, in particular in the form of information and instructions specific to his workstation or job: 

on recruitment,



in the event of a transfer or a change of job,



in the event of the introduction of new work equipment or a change in equipment,



in the event of the introduction of any new technology.

2. The training shall be adapted to take account of new or changed risks and repeated periodically if necessary.

3. The employer shall ensure that workers from outside establishments engaged in work in his establishment have in fact received appropriate instructions regarding health and safety risks during their activities in his establishment.

4. Workers' representatives with a specific role in protecting the safety and health of workers shall be entitled to appropriate training.

5. Trainings shall not be at the workers' expense or at that of the workers' representatives and must take place during working hours.

Workers responsibilities Effective health and safety management should involve everyone in the place of work.

Key actions in meeting this requirement include:  complying with instructions given by an employer or manager  using and maintaining personal protective equipment provided  working in a co-operative manner with an employer in health and safety management  reporting hazards that you are unable to control individually  exercising their right to refuse unsafe work  reporting any accident occurring at the place of work  ensure their own health and safety as well as the health and safety for their colleagues.

Accident recording Understanding the nature and frequency of accidents within the work area assists in the identification of actual or potential hazards in the workplace. The employers shall have responsibility to maintain a register of all accidents occurring at the place of work.

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II.2.3 Health and Safety Management Systems General Effective management of health and safety relies on the presence of a health and safety management system. The nature and size of the operation will determine the complexity of this system.

The presence of a site or company specific health and safety management system gives a clear indication of the steps to be taken to effectively manage their health and safety issues.

Responsibilities of persons in relation to hazard control at work place Any employee should, immediately before starting work in any area and frequently during work, carefully examine the area for potential hazards that may endanger the safety or health of any person.

Any person who finds or becomes aware of such a hazard should immediately take action (within their capability) to control the hazard so as to remove or reduce the risk of injury or illness.

If the elimination or avoidance of that hazard is not immediately possible, work should cease and the situation reported to a supervisor or manager.

Any person who becomes aware of a hazard presenting a serious and immediate danger at the workplace should immediately suspend any affected operations until the hazard is controlled and area made safe and then report the action taken and the examinations conducted.

No person should drink alcohol or take any drugs that may impair his or her capability of working or responding in an emergency.

The Hazard and risk management process for open cast mines and underground mines The hazard and risk management process should be constant and ongoing and shall be applicable to all aspects of the business from organization and equipment design to managing site behaviour on the job. It also includes the management of change in all its forms.

The process should be as follows:  Identification of hazards and associated risks  Assessment of the hazard and associated risks  Determining what controls are required to manage the hazard and associated risks  Developing a recovery plan to prevent escalation if the controls fail  Monitoring and reviewing controls for effectiveness The site manager being the person in control of site operations shall ensure that appropriate processes are in place for hazard and risk management.

Hazard and Risk Identification These two principles should be adopted when approaching the identification of hazards and their associated risks in opencast mines and underground:

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 

don‘t expect one person to identify the hazards and risks; a team with a range of experience and expertise should be used. use a systematic approach in sufficient detail to ensure all potential hazards identified and that the risks posed by them are confidently and adequately understood.

There are a range of hazard and risk identification methods. Typically a combination of methodologies shall need to be applied to ensure complete identification of hazards and risks.

The following identification methods shall be used:  Geotechnical Analysis  Hazard and operability studies  Task Analysis (Job Safety Analysis)  Physical Inspection  ―What If‖ Analysis.

Hazard and Risk Assessment A hazard assessment should be carried out to determine which hazards are significant and the exact nature of the risk posed by them. The hazard assessment should:     

be conducted consistent with recognized hazard and risk assessment approaches take into account all relevant available information concerning the hazard and associated risks at the operation identify and assess the nature and magnitude of all potential sources of the hazard and associated risks include any assumptions made in relation to the identification and assessment of hazard and risks including initiating events include, in relation to each identified hazard and risk, an assessment of the worst case position of the potential source of the hazard and risk having regard to such things as the nature of the operation, future operations, and any possible changes, geological or otherwise mining regulations should be taken into account throughout the assessment.

Hazard and Risk Control Any measures used to control the hazard or risks posed by a hazard should be based on information obtained from the hazard assessment. The hazard controls shall:  eliminate  mitigate The hazard control element of the hazard management process should:  set out the measures to be taken to prevent the people coming into contact with hazard  provide for the identification and maintenance of hazard control zones between areas of work and each identified potential hazard if appropriate  include any special systems of working developed for the hazard  include any assumptions made in the development of measures to control hazards and their risks  be maintained so that the best available knowledge of the risks control at the operation is at all times in practice  be reviewed and if required updated before the operation is developed into any new area.

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The hazard and associated risk controls should include provisions for reviews of the control‘s effectiveness.

The manager should ensure that the persons performing duties as part of the hazard and associated risk control process are competent to carry out those duties and are given appropriate and continuing training.

Hazard monitoring and review To be confident that the hazards and their associated risks are adequately managed, their status and the controls applied shall be monitored and reviewed. This is to ensure that:  

the nature of the hazard or associated risk has not changed the controls that have been applied are adequate to manage the hazard or associated risk in its current state.

Hazard management plans Hazard management plans should reflect a hazard and risk management methodology and should include but not be restricted to the following areas:  geological phenomenon  underground workings  flooding and water management  hazardous substances  natural disasters  man-made disasters.

For each of the above categories, appropriate technical expertise should be used to identify the presence of such hazards for individual sites. Then an assessment of the risks involved should be carried out.

All hazard management plans dealing with the above hazards and associated risks should be clearly documented and held on site for easy access.

Each hazard management plan should provide for reviews (internal and external as appropriate) of its contents no less than annually by a competent person and this should be documented.

The hazard management plans should clearly identify the roles, skill levels, and responsibilities required for their implementation.

Hazardous Substances Key areas to consider when managing hazardous substance risk through hazard management plans include:  ensuring that persons responsible for managing Hazardous Substances are qualified at the appropriate level.  ensuring that hazardous substances are stored and used in a safe manner to ensure exposure is as low as reasonably practicable.  a system for the medical monitoring of hazardous substance exposure should be in place and define the monitoring protocol and frequency for each substance.  the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment, equipment and resources to carry out the work safely 29



information contained in a hazardous substance‘s safety data sheet should be considered in developing control measures.

Geological Management The employer shall ensure a system to control any geological failure at the operation is in place.

Key areas to consider when managing geological risks through hazard management plans include regular inspections of areas at risk of geological failure e.g. folds, faults, joints, dips, weathering and land slide. The greater the risk to the safety or health of persons at a place, the more frequents should be the inspections.

Flooding and Water Management The employer should ensure that a system is in place to prevent the adverse effects of flooding or water breaches. Key areas to consider when managing the risks through hazard management and mine or quarry plans should include but not be restricted to the following:  water quality and quantity control  basins  saturation of slopes and machinery operation  design of water containment or diversion structures  competency of people carrying out the design and construction work  fencing or other forms of isolation  entrapment in unconsolidated silt.

II.2.4 Mine and Quarry Environment Lighting The lighting provisions for all workplaces, travelling ways and fixed installations should be designed so that all activities can be carried out safely.

Particular consideration should be given to highlighting hazardous areas and the provision of emergency lighting.

First Aid Facilities In every operation first aid facilities should be provided.

In particular; appropriate site specific first aid equipment and supplies should be kept in a position where they are immediately accessible.

For every shift, holders of a current and competent first aid certificate should be available to render assistance in the event of an emergency.

There should be planned means for getting emergency services or other means of assistance to any injured person.

A regular inspection of the first aid system, equipment and supplies should take place. A review as to the systems effectiveness should be carried out annually. This review should be carried out in conjunction with emergency response exercises as appropriate.

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Air quality control The employer should ensure that there is a dust, gas and dangerous elements control and ensure that enough ventilation system is put in place to prevent workers from breathing dangerous mining dust.

The purpose of ventilation in underground mining is to ensure that sufficient fresh air enters the underground environment to dilute, render harmless and remove any flammable or noxious gases and airborne dust. Fresh air should comply with RS 543.

Sanitation The employer should ensure good hygienic and sanitary conditions in mining areas for the protection of health of miners. Adequate toilet facilities should be provided in an accessible proximity to working places.

II.2.5 Personnel Pre-employment health Screening A suitable health examination should be undertaken prior to commencement of employment.

This should be based on specific work to be done as well as the hazards the worker may be exposed to, and which can be harmful to his life. The examination should be carried out by a medical practitioner or occupational health nurse.

Ongoing health monitoring Ongoing monitoring to ensure fitness for work should be maintained and carried out at intervals reflecting the impact of the hazard.

Training Employers should ensure that employees receive training or supervision appropriate and suitable to the level of the task(s) to be carried out.

Induction All new employees should have an induction before start of work.

This should include coverage of company procedures including site specific detail such as emergency response and high hazard areas.

All contractors and visitors who are visiting the operation should undergo an appropriate induction. If they are to be directly supervised this may be of a lesser nature than for employees.

Personal Protective Equipment The provision of personal protective safety equipment shall be the responsibility of the employers. They should ensure that all people who are required to wear such equipment are trained in its correct use and maintenance.

The ongoing use and maintenance, where applicable, of personal protective equipment is the joint responsibility of the employer and individual employees.

Replacement cycles should be identified for all protective equipment. These should reflect the manufacturers/suppliers guidelines and the environment in which the equipment is used.

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Types of protection Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be available for almost every part of the body and the type of equipment purchased shall depend on the protection that is required.

Head protection Miners shall be provided with, and shall wear, safety caps (helmets) which are approved in the jurisdiction in which the mine operates.

The cap (helmets) should be equipped with a lamp bracket and cord holder to permit mounting of a miner‘s cap lamp. In areas of the mine where permanent lighting is not installed, the miner‘s cap lamp is essential to permit the miner to move and work effectively and safely. The key requirements for a cap lamp are that it be rugged, easy to operate with gloved hands, provide sufficient light output for the full duration of a work shift (to illumination levels required by local regulation) and that it be as light as possible without sacrificing any of the above performance parameters.

Foot protection The mining work boots should be of either leather or rubber construction, depending on whether the mine is dry or wet. Minimum protective requirements for the boots include a full punctureproof sole with a composite outer layer to prevent slipping.

Eye and face protection Mining operations require the miner to wear safety spectacles, goggles, face shields or a full face piece respirator, depending on the operations being performed and the combination of hazards to which the miner is exposed. For the majority of mining operations, safety spectacles with side shields provide suitable protection.

Goggles are not worn frequently below ground unless the particular operation poses a danger of chemical splash.

A face shield may be worn where the miner requires full-face protection from weld spatter, grinding residues or other large flying particles which could be produced by cutting, chipping or scaling.

A full face piece respirator may be worn for face protection when there is also a requirement for respiratory protection against a substance which is irritating to the eyes.

Such operations are more often encountered in the above ground mine processing than in the below ground mining operation itself.

Respiratory protection The respiratory protection needed in mining operations shall be dust protection. The equipment should include: face masks, half face respirators, air filter units.

Hearing protection Underground vehicles, machinery and power tools generate high ambient noise levels which can create long-term damage to human hearing. Protection is normally provided by ear muff type protectors which are slot-mounted on the miner‘s cap. Supplementary protection can be provided 32

by wearing closed cell foam ear plugs in conjunction with the ear muffs. Ear plugs, either of the disposable foam cell variety or the reusable elastomeric variety, may be used on their own, either because of preference or because the accessory slot is being used to carry a face shield or other accessory.

Skin protection Certain mining operations may cause skin irritation. Work gloves should be worn whenever possible in such operations.

Work gloves shall be worn for hand protection.

Clothing Ordinary cotton coveralls or treated flame-resistant cotton coveralls should be the normal work wear in mines. Strips of reflective material should be added to make the miner more visible to drivers of moving underground vehicles. Miners working with heavy equipment may also wear rain suits over their coveralls to protect against cutting fluid, hydraulic oil and lubricating oils, which can spray or leak from the equipment.

Belts and Harnesses The belt and harnesses should be worn for protecting miners against falls.

Protection from heat and cold In open-pit mines in cold climates, miners shall have winter clothing including thermal socks, underwear and gloves, wind resistant pants or over-pants, a lined parka with hood and a winter liner to wear with the safety cap.

In underground mines, heat is more of a problem than cold. Ambient temperatures may be high because of the depth of the mine below ground or because it is located in a hot climate.

Protection from heat stress and potential heat stroke can be provided by special garments or undergarments which can accommodate frozen gel packs or which are constructed with a network of cooling tubes to circulate cooling fluids over the surface of the body and then through an external heat exchanger. In situations where the rock itself is hot, heat resistant gloves, socks and boots are worn. Drinking water or, preferably, drinking water with added electrolytes must be available and must be consumed to replace lost body fluids.

Other Protective Equipment Depending on local regulations and the type of mine, miners may be required to carry a selfrescue device. This is a respiratory protection device which will help the miner to escape from the mine in the event of a mine fire or explosion that renders the atmosphere unbreathable because of carbon monoxide, smoke and other toxic contaminants. The self-rescuer may be a filtration type device with a catalyst for carbon monoxide conversion or it may be a selfcontained self-rescuer, i.e., a closed-cycle breathing apparatus which chemically regenerates oxygen from exhaled breath.

10.5 Communications Suitable means of communication should be provided and maintained throughout the operation.

These may include the following:  signs  alarms 33

  

lights radios telephones.

For people who are required to work alone, appropriate procedures for regular communication with another person should be put in place. This may involve the use of a mobile phone or radio.

Surface Plans Site Plan In order to prevent personal injury, damage to services and to facilitate emergency response, accurate plans of the surface area of the site should be prepared and held on site in a place accessible to all employees. This information should be communicated to all potentially affected people. The plans should be to scale and should include:  the boundaries of the surface area  offices, buildings, processes, workshops, explosives magazines, fuel storage, emergency assembly areas, underground workings, access roads and any other permanent structures  utilities infrastructure including: − the high voltage reticulation system − buried and overhead electrical services − gas lines − water lines − sewerage lines − communications cables − this plan must be reviewed and updated when changes to any of the above occur.

Plans of Workings In some instances it is appropriate to develop plans of surface or underground workings. These should be updated to reflect changing operations. The nature of the operation (size and potential hazards) will determine the necessity of having such a plan and the frequency of the plan reviews. This plan may include but not be limited to the following:  roadways  pits  slope  water courses  stockpiles  overburden dumps  ponds.

Surface Plan Identification All current site plans should be identified as such. They should have the date they were finalized and indicate the review schedule in a clearly visible place. Each plan is to be signed by a competent person responsible for the planning process and its accuracy.

Emergencies A system that deals with emergencies shall be in place and have been communicated to everyone on the site.

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Employees should be given opportunity to participate in the development of this system.

This system should clearly state the methods and process to be used in the tasks of the emergency. It should cover but not be limited to the following:  emergencies that may be encountered at the site  general emergency procedures including evacuation to assembly areas  provision for the transport of sick or injured persons  isolation and control of access to the incident area  appointment of duties to be carried out by designated individuals  the supply and maintenance and training in the use of emergency equipment  provision and supply of water storage and reticulation for fire fighting  reporting and replacement of damaged equipment  liaison and working with Emergency Services, including guidance to the site, as appropriate  methods of communication between all parties involved in an emergency  the emergency response system for permanent sites should be tested and reviewed in a live simulation at least once per year.

Explosives Procedures should be developed, implemented and monitored to ensure that only an approved handler may store, transport, initiate, and dispose of explosives.  Procedures should include the following:  selection of explosives  storage of explosives  transport of explosives  preparation and charging of explosives  initiation of explosives  treatment of misfires  disposal of unwanted or deteriorated explosives.

II.2.6 Equipment and Machinery Stationary plant General All exposed and dangerous parts of machinery or plant should be kept securely fenced or guarded so as to prevent any person from coming into contact with them.

Emergency stop facilities, which enable power to be promptly cut off in the event of imminent danger, should be provided within reach on all plant or equipment that may pose a danger.

A warning system prior to start-up should be used in all instances.

All pipes used to carry compressed air, water, gas or other hazardous substances should be clearly identified and should be checked at regular intervals along the pipe system.

A system of managing defects that may affect the safety of electrical, hydraulic or mechanical equipment should be in place and cover:  the prevention of use of that plant or equipment  the means by which that defect is repaired 35

 the recording of the defect and repair.

Each site should have a preventative testing and inspection system for the safety related aspects of equipment and machinery. Records of all such activities should be kept.

Isolation and Lockout Procedures shall be developed, implemented and monitored to ensure that potentially damaging energy is isolated from persons who have to work on electrical, hydraulic or mechanical plant or equipment.

These procedures should include the requirement that isolations are carried out: Prior to any work commencing and that those isolations attain a state of zero energy; Any stored energy is made safe and confirmed as such.

Conveyor belt The area in which the conveyor is used should be of sufficient width to allow inspection and maintenance. Access ways beneath conveyors should have adequate overhead protection.

Conveyors should be kept free of flammable material, rubbish and spillage.

The belt and its load should also remain clear of any other structures such as cable trays and power lines.

Regular inspections should be carried out to ensure undue heating of either the belt or spillage does not occur and potentially present a fire risk and that other points referred to in this section are adhered to.

Conveyors, where accessible, should have an emergency stop device along their entire length.

Where appropriate rollback/anti-runaway devices should be fitted.

II.2.7 Mobile Plant General Only competent persons authorized by the manager may operate mobile plant.

All vehicles shall be fitted with seatbelts of the appropriate standard for the driver and any passengers. Seatbelts shall be worn at all times when a vehicle is in operation.

Passengers shall only be carried where a seat fitted with seatbelt is provided.

Mobile plant that operates in an environment in which people are working should be fitted with the following items:  adequate lights  a suitable fail-to-safe braking system  an effective method for ensuring the vehicle is visible under all circumstances. This may include flashing lights, pole flags, running lights.  suitable firefighting equipment  a reverse warning system  Comprehensive vision forward and back  a suitable washing and wiping system for operator visibility.

Testing of Mobile Plant Pre-operational checks should be carried out and recorded by operators every shift.

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Provisions should be made for the systematic testing and inspection of all mobile plant by a competent person. All inspections and tests should conform to a schedule of examinations and tests and be documented and records held.

Inspection and testing should include:  the thorough examination and testing of all mobile plant at an interval appropriate to the type of transport and according to the manufacturers‘ guidelines  steering and lighting systems  the inspection of all moving parts of mobile plant that are practically accessible to establish that they are moving freely and without obstruction  the thorough examination of all parts of the mechanical braking system of the mobile plant, including: − braking surfaces (pads, blocks and similar parts) to ensure they are not excessively worn; − brake actuators to ensure that they are operating satisfactorily; − the testing of all braking systems of mobile plant shall follow manufacturer‘s instructions/specifications.

Haulage railways A set of plans showing all parts of the railway system of the mine or quarry operation should be prepared and held at the site office.

Rules and procedures determining shunting and loading operations shall be documented and communicated to all affected personnel. These should include responsibilities and authorities.

Traffic control and roadway conditions In relation to all mobile plant, rules should be documented and communicated to all parties involved. These should include but not necessarily be limited to the following:  the conditions under which mobile plant is used  measures taken to keep roadways clear of debris or other materials that may negatively impact on mobile plant.

Ensuring the safe operation of the mobile plant by providing for the following:  the maximum loads (by reference to weight, dimensions, number or other criteria) that may be carried in or towed by mobile plant  the areas in which speed restrictions apply and the nature of the restrictions  the conditions under which a person may work on or adjacent to a roadway to be used for mobile plant  parking procedures for transport or haulage  inter-vehicle communication  overhead obstacles  traffic flow requirements.

All roadways on which mobile plant operates shall be maintained to standards consistent with the safe operation of that mobile plant. In particular:  the roadway should be clearly defined at all times  signs indicating speed limits should be placed in strategic positions  the roadway should be wide enough to accommodate all traffic potentially using.

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II.3 Conceptual framework for safety management system in mines II.3.1 Introduction The New South Wales Code of Practice: Safety management systems in mines of 1 February 2015 provides guidance for mine operators on meeting the requirements in relation to establishing and implementing a safety management system (SMS) for a mine. This code of practice highlights components of SMS including safety management system, developing a safety management system, developing controls and implementing a safety management system, and performance measures, reviews and audits.

II.3.2 Safety management system What is a safety management system (SMS)?

A SMS for a mine is the primary means of ensuring the safe operation of a mine. It brings together a number of procedures and policies to enable a mine operator to follow a systematic approach to achieving and monitoring an effective level of health and safety.

The SMS must be documented. It must be understandable and accessible to those who need to read it. It should be written in plain language. Some workers may require a translation.

The SMS must form part of the overall management system for operating the mine.

Why is a safety management system necessary?

Mining is an industry with a range of hazards and associated risks due to the dynamic and varied nature of the tasks and the environment in which they are done. The hazards range from principal mining hazards specific to the industry that have potential to result in multiple deaths, other major hazards such as the loss of ventilation control in the case of underground mines, to hazards common in many work environments such as lifting heavy objects and slips and trips.

While most mines have safety-related policies, plans and processes in place, the safety management system ties all the elements together into an integrated system to effectively manage the risks to the health and safety of all workers. A properly integrated system ensures there are no gaps and that all the elements work in a coordinated way. As well as improving work health and safety outcomes at the mine, the safety management system should avoid duplicating procedures and processes and reduce paperwork.

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Figure 1: The elements of a safety management system

Source: New South Wales Code of Practice: Safety management systems in mines, February 2015

II.3.3 Developing a safety management system Introduction The safety management system must provide a comprehensive and integrated system for the mine operator to manage all aspects of risks to health and safety at the mine and must include numerous mandatory elements.

The detail on each mandatory element depends on the nature and complexity of the mining operations and the associated risks. This means that the level of detail in safety management system will vary from mine to mine. Complex, high-risk operations would need more detail in their safety management system than small operations or those with fewer hazards.

The level of detail in safety management system should be enough to ensure that the objectives of the mine‘s health and safety policy can be achieved by following the processes in the safety management system.

Safety management system details will differ for each mine as it must contain a level of information appropriate to the mine in regard to the nature, complexity and location of the mining operations, and the risks associated with those operations. It must also, as far as is reasonably practicable, be set out and expressed in a way that is readily understandable by the people who will use it.

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What if some systems already exist?

Some mines may have policies, plans and processes to manage their health and safety obligations e.g. training, maintenance, traffic management plans, job safety assessments and security procedures. One of the purposes of safety management system is to ensure all such existing policies, plans and processes are linked and integrated.

What is adequate for less complex mines?

Mines may manage their hazards with a document that is less complex than one needed for a more complex mine, but it must contain the mandatory elements of safety management system.

In practice, this will probably involve establishing an safety management system with the following components:          

health and safety policy operating procedures maintenance programs risk management incident management emergency plan management structure and responsibilities training and competence communications record management.

Consulting with workers Involving workers in developing and verifying the processes to be used will help keep the safety management system practical and to the point.

If there are Health and safety representatives at the workplace, the mine operator has a duty as a Person conducting a business or undertaking to involve them in consultation on health and safety matters.

It may be convenient for the mine operator to deal with other mandatory requirements in relation to workers as part of the same process, for example the arrangements for:  communicating the safety role to workers initially and then to all new workers  training workers in basic risk management techniques  arrangements for involving workers who are exposed to particular Principal mining hazards at the mine as part of the risk management process  involving workers in safety audits and reviews  using other means of consultation such as through safety committees, any health and safety representatives, safety and health representatives and work teams.

Health and safety policy The health and safety policy, an element of the safety management system, is a commitment by the mine operator to improve the health and safety of the mine‘s workers. The policy should:  have objectives for improving health and safety  be documented and communicated to workers and other interested parties (e.g. work group committee members, regulators and community groups, if they are affected by the operations).

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The policy should be periodically reviewed so that it remains relevant and appropriate to changing circumstances and as new information becomes available.

Contractors Where contractors are involved, the mine operator should clearly define how their work will be overseen and coordinated.

If a contractor is working at a mine (or likely to work at a mine) the mine operator must include in their safety management system, control measures that will be used to control risks to health and safety associated with the contractor's work.

The contractor has the option of either preparing a contractor health and management plan or using the mine safety management system if their review finds it consistent with their arrangements. If the contractor finds the contractor‘s arrangements are consistent with the safety management system, then they must notify the operator in writing of this to indicate they will use the mine safety management system when working at the mine. The mine operator should keep this notice and manage the contractor‘s arrangements in the safety management system.

If the contractor prepares a plan, then the mine operator must review it and notify the contractor as to whether the plan is consistent with the mine safety management system. A contractor cannot start work at a mine until its plan has been positively reviewed by the mine operator. The contractor's health and safety management plan is included in the safety management system, although it is prepared by the contractor.

When reviewing a contractor's health and safety management plan, the mine operator should consider matters such as:  how each contractor‘s work system will be assessed, and against what criteria, to determine areas of consistency and/or differences with the mine's safety management system  how any differences in work systems may be resolved so they are integrated e.g. work permits for hot work, detection devices are calibrated for consistency and communication systems use the same frequency  induction of each contractor‘s workers to the mine and checking licenses and requirements for PPE  procedures to ensure ongoing communication and consultation with contractors and their workers  responsibilities for the day to day supervision and inspection of contractor work for risks and implementation of risk controls  auditing contractors according to a schedule of risks to be managed, which may be based on the past performance of the contractor.

The mine operator should also consider how the contractor‘s work system is to be integrated with the mine‘s safety management system by, for example:  adopting the contractor‘s system or arrangements in total so that if forms part of the mine safety management system, which may be appropriate where it has specialized technical processes and expertise that the mine does not possess  managing differences through formal processes such as scheduled communication meetings, joint workplace inspections and notification procedures to reduce risk 41



adopting the contractor‘s system in part or in full but working separately. Its system would need to operate alongside the mine‘s safety management system to ensure overall risks are controlled, such as when contractors are in separate locations or involved in distinct mining operations.

Incident and notifiable incident investigation It is recommended that all incidents including near misses are investigated. If corrective actions are required to prevent a similar or a more serious incident in the future, this should be documented in the results of the investigation.

Where possible, workers who were affected by the incident should be involved in the investigation and where appropriate, even be part of the investigating team, and this may be necessary as part of their safety role involving Principal mining hazards. Therefore training of workers in carrying out an incident investigation is important to help them provide constructive input.

Health monitoring The mine operator must provide health monitoring to workers if there is a significant risk of an adverse effect on the workers' health because of exposure to a hazard associated with mining (if the exposure can be detected). For example, exposure to silica in dust can cause silicosis but exposure can be tested by periodic chest x-rays which must be described in the mine's SMS and health control plan.

Monitoring of the environment is an important part of controlling exposures.

Emergency plan Mine operators must prepare an emergency plan, an element of the safety management system, and document it in a way that is understandable by those who may have to use it. The plan must include information on what has to be done to respond effectively to emergencies.

Once the plan is prepared, the mine operator must:     

provide the resources and equipment listed in the plan (e.g. breathing apparatus, lifting gear, and firefighting equipment). must ensure the resources and personnel allocated are adequate for an emergency continuing for more than a single shift have a copy of the plan available to the emergency services that have been consulted with upon request test the plan at least at intervals no more than 12 months review the plan as required.

If the mining operation is underground, a range of additional and specific measures required for an emergency plan should be provided such as:     

emergency exits safe escape and refuge signage for refuges self-rescuers personal protective equipment 42



having competent people at the surface.

The plan requires appointing and training competent people to be responsible for the control of emergency situations. Emergency instructions, including the names and control details of key people, must be clear and accessible to the people who need them.

The mine operator must provide adequate resourcing for the mine emergency plan facilities and equipment.

Withdrawal conditions Withdrawal of mine workers to a place of safety may occur when there is an increase in a level of a risk. For example: increased water uptake, raised contaminant levels, lower oxygen levels or loss of major controls. A loss-of-control situation would exist, for example, if: there was a loss of firefighting capability; failure of hazard monitoring systems; or loss of communication systems, such as if the telephone system was not working and a fire or other incident could not be reported.

Risk management processes should be used to identify and assess scenarios likely to trigger the need for a withdrawal of people.

The withdrawal conditions should include: 1. trigger for withdrawal 2. actions to be taken when the trigger is activated 3. communication of the withdrawal 4. route and method of withdrawal, including the assembly point after the withdrawal 5. checking the withdrawal has been carried out 6. re-entry.

The purpose of the withdrawal is to take planned action before the need for an emergency response. Limited activities may have to continue in the affected areas e.g. pumping to continue after production has stopped. Where limited operations are provided for, the withdrawal conditions should specify the activities that may be performed and under what circumstances they are performed.

II.3.4 Developing controls and implementing a safety management system Managing risk At the core of safety management system is the process or processes for managing risks, in particular those posed by principal mining hazards.

Effective risk management starts with a commitment to health and safety from those who operate and manage the business or undertaking. It also needs the involvement and co-operation of workers. If the operator of a mine shows it is serious about health and safety, its workers will be more likely to follow suit.

A safe and healthy workplace does not happen by chance or guesswork. Thought must be given to what could go wrong in a workplace and the possible consequences.

This process is known as risk management and involves the four steps:  identify hazards – find out what could cause harm 43

  

assess risks if necessary – understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening control risks – eliminate the risk or, if this is not possible, minimize the risk through risk control measures review control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

Identifying hazards Identifying hazards and risks can be achieved by dividing hazards into groups or even subgroups and addressing each in different ways.

During the process of identifying hazards, and all subsequent steps in risk management, the following should be taken into account:  how work is organized, managed, carried out or changes that may occur  design of workplaces, work processes, materials, plant and equipment  fabrication, installation, commissioning, handling and disposal of materials, workplaces, plant and equipment  purchasing of goods and services  contracting and subcontracting of plant, equipment, services and labour including contract specification and responsibilities to, and by, contractors  inspection, maintenance, testing, repair and replacement of plant and equipment.

Risk assessment Certain hazards generally require different assessment methods. Note that hazards should be assessed separately and with other hazards where there is likelihood for some hazards to interact and increase the risks.

In assessing risks, the mine operator should consider the:  nature of the hazard or risk  likelihood of the hazard or risk causing harm  possible severity of the harm  state of knowledge (what the industry knows) about the hazard or risk and how to eliminate or minimize them.

Other matters that should be considered in assessing risks are:  the effect of different operating conditions - normal or abnormal (e.g. shut down and start up, weather and possible misuse of equipment due to human error)  past incidents and potential emergency situations  past, current and planned activities  the reliability and adequacy of existing technology used to control risk i.e. engineering controls.

Controlling risks Controlling risks involves eliminating the risk so far as is reasonably practicable. If this is not able to be done, the risk must be minimized so far as is reasonably practicable. The most effective way is to do this is to select control measures in accordance with the hierarchy of controls.

It is likely that a combination of control measures will be needed.

44

When selecting controls, a mine operator needs to first look for controls that will prevent the incident occurring (preventive). Any controls that minimize or otherwise lessen (mitigate) the consequences of the incident are only supplementary to prevention.

The following considerations may be relevant when selecting appropriate controls:  can hazards be eliminated or minimized at the design stage?  are competent people available to verify that designs and modifications meet requirements?  purchasing and receiving procedures to ensure that items and services are provided along with any safety information from the designer, manufacturer or supplier  permit to work‘ involving high level of risk (e.g. erecting or digging)  training needs and changes to work procedures  if PPE is required, training on correct use and maintenance  supervision to check that tasks are complete and work instructions and procedures are followed  records of inspection results, maintenance, repair and alteration of plant  processes for identifying plant requiring registration and ensuring registration is current  appropriate controls for working on or near plant and equipment being cleaned, serviced, repaired or altered  verification that plant and equipment is safe after repair or alteration  procedures for withdrawing damaged or unsafe plant and equipment from service  procedures to ensure that the workers are competent and, if required, have the appropriate licenses to operate high risk plant.

Implementing the safety management system The objective of successfully implementing a safety management system is the systematic and coordinated management of hazards: identifying them, assessing associated risks, selecting suitable control measures and applying those control measures at the mine. Maintaining controls and regularly reviewing their effectiveness is essential to ensure health and safety at a mine.

To implement the safety management system the mine operator needs to ensure that what is set out in the safety management system is followed in practice. Implementing the safety management system will include ensuring that risk controls are used and maintained, for example:  safe work procedures are understood and followed  equipment is maintained  required PPE is used  staff know how to raise safety issues.

Effective risk management also requires monitoring and ongoing assessment as well as regular inspections of a mine‘s total working environment to ensure that nothing is missed. These arrangements must be described in the safety management system and should include:   

specific and general control measures needed for the workplace such as monitoring air quality who will do the monitoring, assessment and inspections, and how often? who will assess results of any monitoring and take any required action?

45

    

the competency of staff undertaking inspections or monitoring and any training needs they may have procedures for carrying out monitoring, assessments and inspections to ensure they are effective and accurate the scope for inspections and the tools needed e.g. checklists the reporting of results and outcomes and ensuring the actions necessary to deal with any issues are identified and completed auditing and reviewing the activities.

Reviewing controls Once the selected control measures are in place they must be reviewed under certain circumstances.

A review may involve measuring against performance standards to identify any deficiencies in control measures (e.g. an incident or deficiencies found during an audit). Effective review of a control measure may require a level of recording and documentation (i.e. explaining why a review was needed and any corrective changes to controls).

Information, training and instruction The mine operator has a duty to ensure a range of information, training and instruction is provided to workers, which could be achieved by having an initial induction and orientation for workers, stipulating work requirements or procedures, training and instruction in relation to specific risk-control measures and refresher training.

Training should take into account the make-up of the workforce (e.g. level of education, literacy and the language spoken), work responsibilities, complexity of hazards and severity of risks. The delivery of information, instruction and training should consider:  the amount of information and training that is delivered to workers over a period of time so that it is readily understood, within their capabilities  the information/instructions are set out in a way that best communicates with the potential reader or learner, through the use of pictures, diagrams, flowcharts, headings, lists, examples etch as appropriate.

Training is essential to managing safety and must be documented to ensure consistency, minimize possible gaps and to verify competency was achieved.

Training records must be reviewed to help assess the need for retraining, updating or additional training, particularly if activities, processes or equipment change.

Documentation and records management The mine operator must develop procedures for the management of all the records.

Procedures to manage records also should ensure that access to safety management system documentation is 'controlled'. This means:  only the current version is available and any supporting documentation, or data, is up-todate  versions are identified and dated for periodic review  documents are approved for use by the responsible person  documents are accessible and kept in good condition 46



obsolete documents are removed and archived for reference and to satisfy legal requirements.

However, document control should never restrict access to information necessary for implementing the safety management system.

II.3.5 Performance measures, reviews and audits Performance measurement A mine operator must have a procedure for measuring how the mine's safety management system is performing against set performance standards and a system for auditing to ensure the safety management system remains effective. The procedures should be documented and must be described in the safety management system.

In particular performance standards need to measure if:   

risk controls are effective the application of the safety management system has been consistent there has been compliance with national laws.

The matters to consider when developing suitable performance standards include:  measures to identify and implement continuous improvement  performance standards for measuring at different levels of the safety management system e.g. at a high level for the system as a whole, and at a lower level for individual elements of the system  measures for meeting overall targets within specified timeframes  a combination of performance standards e.g. proactive standards (ones that measure the activities or inputs for managing safety) and reactive standards (ones that measure the outputs or actual performance achieved).

Audits The primary purpose of an audit is to determine whether the risk management arrangements set out in the safety management system are being implemented effectively. The mine operator must carry out audits of the safety management system.

There are several types of auditing systems suitable for mining operations including:  adequacy audit: determines if procedures meet the requirements of an applicable minimum standard e.g. company or Australian Standards (may be done internally or externally)  compliance audit: establishes the extent the documented system complies with national standards  internal audit: where a mine operator looks at whether the mine‘s systems, procedures and activities are adequate and being complied with  external audit: where an external body undertakes an audit against the performance measures or more commonly against a defined external standard.

Mine operators would normally undertake a compliance or internal audit. The methods used in audits may include:  interviews  physical verification 47

   

statistical methods document review including records and reports checklists observations of the work area.

The methods selected will depend on a number of factors including the nature of what is being audited and the risks associated with the element of the SMS being audited.

Review The purpose of a review of the safety management system is to check its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness in ensuring the health and safety of workers and other persons at a mine are not put at risk from the work carried out as part of mining operations.

The scope of a full review should be comprehensive, but not all elements of the safety management system need to be reviewed at once.

The review may take place over a period of time but should be structured and scheduled so that all elements of the safety management system are reviewed at least every three years.

The full review should start with a review of the underpinning risk assessment elements of the safety management system to determine if they are still appropriate for the management of the relevant hazards at the mine.

The review may include consideration of:  results from audits  health and safety performance reports  the extent to which performance standards have been met  industry events relevant to the elements being reviewed  incident reports  hazard identification reports  the continuing suitability of the controls in the safety management system (including procedures and administrative arrangements in relation to changing conditions).  technological changes relevant to the element/s being reviewed  corrective action reports  changes in regulatory requirements  changes to community expectations  concerns of relevant interested parties.

Where a review identifies that a revision to the safety management system (or part of the safety management system) is needed, those changes should be made in accordance with the consultation and document control requirements of the safety management system.

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CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY III.1 Introduction This chapter presents the method which the research will utilize and it will demonstrate how the methodology is going to be conducted.

Quantitative methods generates statistics through the use of large scale survey research, using methods such as questionnaires or structured interviews, while qualitative methods explore attitudes, behavior and experiences and attempt to get an in-depth opinion from participants (Dawson, 2002).

Quantitative methods will be used in this research in order to assess the effectiveness of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practices in Rwanda‘s Small Scale Mines (SSM).

III.2 Study design Out of five SSM companies with at least 250 workers (including artisanal miners)17, two mining companies with limited and improved OSH practices were selected.

After consultation with Rwanda Mining, Petroleum and Gas Board18, Rutongo Mines Ltd and its two sub-contractors namely NGIRU Mining Ltd and NIYI Mining Ltd (663, 365 and 398 workers including artisanal miners during the time of research respectively) and King Mines Company Ltd (50 workers including artisanal miners during the time of research) have been selected totalizing 1,476 workers including artisanal miners.

Even though this is not a comparative study, the selection of one SSM mining company with improved level of OSH practices and one SSM company with limited level of OSH practices will help in understanding the factors influencing effective and ineffective practices as well as noncompliance with OSH national standards in mining companies as one of the objectives of this research.

Mining companies are among enterprises found in remote areas. In addition, the assessment will be conducted in two different companies which are distant from each other. All these factors imply financial and time resources.

Due to financial and time constraints, only 12.5% of the population of Rutongo Mines, NGIRU Mining Ltd and NIYI Mining Ltd will participate in the assessment which makes 178 workers while the whole population (50 workers) of King Mines Ltd available during the time the research was conducted shall participate in the assessment.

To select workers who will participate in the assessment, the criterion will be managers, workers representatives, OSH committee members and other ordinary staff with highest experience in the company.

17 18

Rwanda ICGLR mines database 2015 Mr. KAYIHURA Juvenal, mines inspector, was contacted for consultation 49

Figure 2: General mining organizational structure in Rwanda COMPANY MANAGENT MINE MANAGER OFFICE MANAGER

OTHER EMPLOYEES Administration, Security, Mechanics, Drilling & Blasting, Casual Labourers etc.

STORES MANAGER

PLANT MANAGER

CONTRACTED GOODS & SERVICE PROVIDERS

INFORMAL OR SUB-SUB CONTRACTED SERVICE PROVIDERS OF ALL KINDS

EXTRACTION SITE MANAGER(S)

SHAFT/VEIN CAPTAIN/ FOREMEN & FOREWOMEN (May or may not be employees)

GANG LEADERS ARTISANAL MINERS GANGS/GROUPS Subcontracts may be formal through Gang Leaders

Source: Report from PROJEKT‐CONSULT GmbH of July 15th, 2010 https://www.bgr.bund.de/EN/Themen/Min_rohstoffe/Downloads/Rwanda-Report-small-scalemines.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=4

available

III.3 Data collection To collect data, semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires shall be used to generate quantitative data and descriptive statistics shall be produced.

Since majority of miners are Rwandans, language shall be taken into consideration; hence all questionnaires shall be translated into Kinyarwanda. Respondents shall also have right for consent to participate in the study.

The employer shall own the responsibility to raise awareness among workers who will participate in the study. Considering the context of working environment in Rwanda‘s mining, the employer shall make respondents available; they shall be organized in meetings and fill questionnaires. The researcher will play a facilitation role during filling the forms by providing explanations to respondents about questions before answering them.

III.4 Evaluation tool Assessment of ―the effectiveness of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practices in Rwanda‘s Small Scale Mines (SSM)‖ shall be evaluated using ―the code of practice for Safety and Health in mining and quarrying: RS 117‖ which is used to evaluate compliance in mining sector. The ILO handbook (Working Paper WP.168): Health and safety guidelines for smallscale surface mines, 2001 and The New South Wales Code of Practice: Safety management systems in mines of 1 February 2015 shall also be used.

50

at

CHAPTER IV: RESULTS This chapter presents the results from two mining companies namely King Mines Company Ltd and Rutongo Mines Ltd which were selected as ones with limited and improved OSH practices among SSM. In both companies, data were collected using semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires. Respondents were brought together in meetings and the researcher explained the objective of the research. Questionnaires, translated in Kinyarwanda, were distributed among respondents; the researcher provided explanations to questions in order to make them understandable to respondents. To avoid influence, managers and ordinary staff were divided in separate groups.

After responding, 178 questionnaires representing 12.5% of all workers of Rutongo Mines, NGIRU Mining Ltd and NIYI Mining Ltd as well fifty questionnaires from King Mines Company Ltd were collected back.

Below are tables of results for each mining company with their respective summaries: IV.1 Rutongo Mines and its two subcontractors namely NGIRU Mining Ltd and NIYI Mining Ltd Table 2: OSH Policy Availability YES (%) 9.0

NO (%) 84.8

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 6.2

The results demonstrate that 84.8% of respondents reflect that there is no OSH policy in the company, 9.0% reported the availability of OSH policy while 6.2% were unanswered questions.

Majority of respondents (84.8%) reported that there is no OSH policy in the company.

Table 3: Lay out and machinery level HIGH (%) 25.3

MEDIUM (%) 52.8

LOW (%) 20.8

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 1.1

The results demonstrate that 25.3%; 52.8% and 20.8% of respondents reflect that the level of lay out and machinery is high, medium and low respectively while 1.1% represent unanswered questions.

Considering the scale cutoffs of (70%-100%), (50%-69%) and (0%-49%) for high, medium and low levels respectively; Majority (52.8%) of respondents reported that the level of lay out and machinery in the company is medium (50%-69%).

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Table 4: Technical know-how level HIGH (%) 22.5

MEDIUM (%) 53.9

LOW (%) 23.0

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 0.6

The results demonstrate that 22.5%; 53.9% and 23.0% of respondents reflect that the level of technical know-how is high, medium and low respectively while 0.6% represents unanswered questions.

Majority (53.9%) of respondents reported that the level of technical know-how in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 5: Hazards identification level HIGH (%) 24.7

MEDIUM (%) 51.1

LOW (%) 21.9

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 2.2

The results demonstrate that 24.7%; 51.1% and 21.9% of respondents reflect that the level of Hazards identification is high, medium and low respectively while 2.2% represent unanswered questions.

Majority (51.1%) of respondents reported that the level of hazard identification in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 6: Prevention measures level HIGH (%) 32.6

MEDIUM (%) 50.0

LOW (%) 16.9

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 0.6

The results demonstrate that 32.6%; 50.0% and 16.9% of respondents reflect that the level of prevention measures is high, medium and low respectively while 0.6% represents unanswered questions.

Majority (50.0%) of respondents reported that the level of prevention measures in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 7: Workers‟ participation level HIGH (%) 14.6

MEDIUM (%) 29.8

LOW (%) 52.8

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 2.8

The results demonstrate that 25.3%; 42.1% and 29.8% of respondents reflect that the level of workers‘ participation is high, medium and low respectively while 2.8% represent unanswered questions.

Majority (52.8%) of respondents reported that the level of workers‘ participation in the company is low (0%-49%).

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Table 8: Workers‟ training level HIGH (%) 14.4

MEDIUM (%) 34.3

LOW (%) 50.0

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 1.7

The results demonstrate that 14.4%; 34.3% and 50.0% of respondents reflect that the level of workers‘ training is high, medium and low respectively while 1.7% represents unanswered questions.

Majority (50.0%) of respondents reported that the level of workers‘ training in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 9: Explosives safe use level HIGH (%) 26.4

MEDIUM (%) 60.1

LOW (%) 12.9

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 0.6

The results demonstrate that 26.4%; 60.1% and 12.9% of respondents reflect that the level of workers‘ participation is high, medium and low respectively while 1.7% represents unanswered questions.

Majority (60.1%) of respondents reported that the level of explosives safe use in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 10: Emergency management level HIGH (%) 20.8

MEDIUM (%) 54.5

LOW (%) 23.6

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 1.1

The results demonstrate that 20.8%; 54.5% and 23.6% of respondents reflect that the level of emergency management is high, medium and low respectively while 1.1% represents unanswered questions.

Majority (54.5%) of respondents reported that the level of emergency management in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 11: Accounting underground workers level HIGH (%) 29.2

MEDIUM (%) 51.1

LOW (%) 14.0

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 1.7

The results demonstrate that 29.2%; 51.1% and 14.0% of respondents reflect that the level of accounting underground workers is high, medium and low respectively while 1.7% represents unanswered questions.

Majority (51.1%) of respondents reported that the level of accounting underground workers in the company is medium (50%-69%).

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Table 12: Workers‟ insurance level HIGH (%) 77.5

MEDIUM (%) 15.2

LOW (%) 7.3

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 0.0

The results demonstrate that 77.5%; 15.2% and 7.3% of respondents reflect that the level of workers‘ coverage in RRSB insurance is high, medium and low respectively while 1.7% represents unanswered questions.

The results demonstrate that majority (77.5%) of respondents reported that the level of workers‘ coverage in RRSB insurance is high (70%-100%).

Table 13: Accidents recording and reporting level HIGH (%) 24.7

MEDIUM (%) 51.7

LOW (%) 23.0

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 0.6

The results demonstrate that 36.0%; 40.4% and 23.0% of respondents reflect that the level of accidents recording and reporting is high, medium and low respectively while 0.6% represents unanswered questions.

Majority (51.7%) of respondents reported that the level of explosives safe use in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 14: Monitoring and evaluation level HIGH (%) 22.5

MEDIUM (%) 56.7

LOW (%) 18.0

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 2.8

The results demonstrate that 22.5%; 56.7% and 18.0% of respondents reflect that the level of monitoring and evaluation is high, medium and low respectively while 2.8% represent unanswered questions.

Majority (56.7%) of respondents reported that the level of monitoring and evaluation is medium (50%-69%).

Table 15: OSH staff availability YES (%) 25.3

NO (%) 71.9

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 2.8

The results demonstrate that 71.9% of respondents reflect that there is no OSH staff in the company, 25.3% reported the availability of OSH staff while 2.8% were unanswered questions.

Majority of respondents (71.9%) reported that there is no OSH Staff in the company.

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Table 16: Availability of OSH provisions with subcontractors YES (%) 69.7

NO (%) 25.3

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 4.5

The results demonstrate that 69.7% of respondents reflect the availability of OSH provisions between main and sub-contractors, 25.3% reported that there are no OSH provisions between main contractor and sub-contractors while 4.5% were unanswered questions.

Majority of respondents (69.7%) reported the availability of OSH provisions between main and sub-contractors.

Table 17: Subcontractors‟ control level on OSH HIGH (%) 17.4

MEDIUM (%) 37.6

LOW (%) 41.6

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 3.4

The results demonstrate that 17.4%; 37.6% and 41.6% of respondents reflect that the level of subcontractors‘ control is high, medium and low respectively while 3.4% represent unanswered questions.

Majority (41.6%) of respondents reported that the level of subcontractors‘ control in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 18: Availability of health surveillance system YES (%) 15.2

NO (%) 77.0

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 6.2

The results demonstrate that 77.0% of respondents reflect that there is no health surveillance system, 15.2% reported the availability of health surveillance system while 6.2% were unanswered questions.

Majority of respondents (77.0%) reported there is no health surveillance system in the company.

Table 19: Level of sanitary facilities, drinking water and places for meals HIGH (%) 7.3

MEDIUM (%) 37.1

LOW (%) 52.2

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 3.4

The results demonstrate that 7.3%; 37.1% and 52.2% of respondents reflect that the level of sanitary facilities, drinking water and places for meals is high, medium and low respectively while 3.4% represent unanswered questions.

Majority (52.2%) of respondents reported that the level of sanitary facilities, drinking water and places for meals in the company is low (0%-49%).

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Table 20: PPEs availability YES (%) 84.8

NO (%) 10.7

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 4.5

The results demonstrate that 84.8% of respondents reflect the availability of PPEs to all workers, 10.7% reported that there is no PPEs to all workers while 4.5% were unanswered questions.

Majority of respondents (84.8%) reported there are PPEs in the company.

Table 21: PPEs substitution level HIGH (%) 18.5

MEDIUM (%) 62.4

LOW (%) 13.5

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 5.6

The results demonstrate that 18.5%; 62.4% and 13.5% of respondents reflect that the level of PPEs substitution is high, medium and low respectively while 5.6% represent unanswered questions.

Majority (62.4%) of respondents reported that the level of PPEs substitution in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 22: First aid box availability YES (%) 74.7

NO (%) 22.5

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 2.8

The results demonstrate that 74.7% of respondents reflect the availability of first aid box, 10.7% reported that there is no first aid box while 2.8% were unanswered questions.

Majority of respondents (84.8%) reported that there is first aid box in the company.

Table 23: Availability of first aid trained staff YES (%) 39.3

NO (%) 54.5

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 6.2

The results demonstrate that 39% of respondents reflect the availability of trained first aid personnel, 54.5% reported that there is no trained first personnel while 6.2% were unanswered questions.

Majority of respondents (54.5%) reported that there is no trained first aid staff in the company.

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Table 24: Availability of OSH signage YES (%) 71.3

NO (%) 25.8

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 2.8

The results demonstrate that 71.3% of respondents reflect the availability of OSH signages, 25.8% reported that there is no OSH signages while 2.8% were unanswered questions.

Majority of respondents (71.3%) reported that there are OSH signages in the company.

Table 25: Level of prevention of structures fall, dust hazards, heat stress and darkness HIGH (%) 21.9

MEDIUM (%) 52.8

LOW (%) 23.6

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 1.7

The results demonstrate that 21.9%; 52.8% and 23.6% of respondents reflect that the level of prevention of structures fall, dust hazards, heat stress and darkness is high, medium and low respectively while 1.7% represents unanswered questions.

Majority (52.8%) of respondents reported that the level of prevention of structures fall, dust hazards, heat stress and darkness in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 26: Level of general OSH performance HIGH (%) 20.8

MEDIUM (%) 57.9

LOW (%) 18.5

MISSING SYSTEM (%) 2.8

The results demonstrate that 20.8%; 57.9% and 18.5% of respondents reflect that the level of general OSH performance is high, medium and low respectively while 2.8% represents unanswered questions.

Majority (57.9%) of respondents reported that the level of general OSH performance in the company is medium (50%-69%).

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IV.2 King Mines Company Ltd Table 27: Availability of OSH Policy in the company YES (%) 22

NO (%) 78

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (78%) reflect that there is no OSH policy in the company.

Table 28: Level of general workplace layout, machinery and equipment used in mining HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 40

LOW (%) 60

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (60%) reflect that the level of general workplace layout, machinery and equipment used in mining is low (0%-49%).

Table 29: Level of technical know-how in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 36

LOW (%) 64

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (64%) reflect that the level of technical know-how in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 30: Level of hazards identification in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 44

LOW (%) 56

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (56%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 31: Level of prevention measures in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 40

LOW (%) 60

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (60%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 32: Level of workers participation in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 24

LOW (%) 76

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (76%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is low (50%-69%).

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Table 33: Level of workerâ€&#x;s training in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 38

LOW (%) 62

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (62%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 34: Level of explosives safe use in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 64

LOW (%) 36

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (64%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 35: Level of emergency management in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 52

LOW (%) 46

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (52%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 36: Level of systems of accounting workers working underground in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 42

LOW (%) 58

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (58%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 37: Insurance of workers to RSSB in the company YES (%) 18

NO (%) 82

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (82%) reflect that they are not insured in RSSB. Table 38: Level of accidents recording and reporting in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 26

LOW (%) 74

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (74%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 39: Level of monitoring and evaluation in the company HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 56 59

LOW (%) 44

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (56%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 40: Availability of OSH Staff in the company YES (%) 16

NO (%) 84

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (84%) reflect that there is no staff in charge of OSH in the company.

Table 41: OSH Provisions in the contracts of subcontractors YES (%) 58

NO (%) 42

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (58%) revealed that contracts of subcontractors contain OSH provisions.

Table 42: Level of subcontractors monitoring HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 36

LOW (%) 64

The results demonstrate that 64% and 36 % of respondents reported that the level at which the main contractor monitors subcontractors is low and medium respectively.

The majority of respondents (64%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 43: Health surveillance YES (%) 24

NO (%) 76

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (76%) reported that the company does not do periodic health surveillance for workers.

Table 44: Level of sanitary facilities, availability of drinking water and provision of places for meals HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 58

LOW (%) 42

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (58%) reflect that the level of hazards identification in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 45: Availability of PPEs YES (%) 84

NO (%) 16

60

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (84%) reported that the company provides PPEs to workers.

Table 46: The level of substitution of PPEs HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 70

LOW (%) 30

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (70%) reflect that the level of level of substitution of PPEs in the company is medium (50%-69%).

Table 47: Availability of first aid box YES (%) 64

NO (%) 36

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (64%) reported that there is first aid box in the company.

Table 48: Availability of first aid trained personnel YES (%) 16

NO (%) 84

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (84%) reported that there is no first aid trained personnel in the company.

Table 49: Availability of safety signages YES (%) NO (%) 68 32 The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (68%) reported that there are safety signages in the company.

Table 50: The level of preventing structures fall, dust, heat stress and darkness HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 42

LOW (%) 58

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (58%) reported that the level of preventing structures fall, dust, heat stress and darkness in the company is low (0%-49%).

Table 51: The level of general OSH performance HIGH (%) 0

MEDIUM (%) 28

LOW (%) 72

The results demonstrate that majority of respondents (72%) reported that the level of general OSH performance in the company is low (0%-49%).

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CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND LIMITATIONS V.1 Conclusion

Figure 3: Management approach in the legislation New workplace conditions under consideration Legal obligation

Material conditions

Voluntary motivation

Environmental conditions

Ergonomic conditions

Psychosocial conditions

Health promotion

Source : F. Martin, „Course on Management of OSH‟, Master of Occupational Safety and Health 5th Edition

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Figure 4: % of fatal accidents according their compliance with preventive process Spain 2011 Analysis of 199 fatal accidents

74.4% have g done the risk assessment 47.2% had identified the hazard of the

42.2% have defined the preventive measures Only 8.5% have applied preventive measures Source: F. Martin, „Course on concepts and fundamentals of occupational safety and healthâ€&#x;, Master of occupational Safety and health, 5th edition According to figure 3, workplace safety and health can be improved through improving materials, environmental, ergonomic and psychosocial conditions and mining is no exception.

The figure 4, demonstrate that occupational accidents reduce by conducting risk assessment, identifying hazards, defining preventive measures and applying defined preventive measures in chronological order which forms a preventive process.

In Rutongo Mines Ltd and its two sub-contractors namely NGIRU Mining Ltd and NIYI Mining Ltd, all indicators regarding the preventive process which are hazard identification, defining and applying preventive measures as well as monitoring and evaluation of applied preventive measures were revealed as medium and out of all 25 compliance indicators that were considered in this research, majority of 12 indicators equivalent to 48%, were revealed as medium. Hence, the general OSH performance in the company scores a medium rating.

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On the other side, for Kings Mines Ltd, all indicators regarding the preventive process which are hazard identification, defining and applying preventive measures as well as monitoring and evaluation of applied preventive measures were revealed as low and out of all 25 compliance indicators that were considered in this research, majority of 11 indicators equivalent to 44%, were revealed as low. Hence, the general OSH performance in the company scores a low rating.

Prevention is a key for any occupational safety and health promotion and it is through which that materials, environmental, ergonomic and psychosocial conditions can be improved.

From this research, we can conclude that the rating of the preventive process: risk assessment, hazard identification, defining preventive measures, applying preventive measures and monitoring and evaluation determines the rating of workplace conditions and this can be generalized to all workplaces in general and Rwanda‘s mining companies in particular.

V.2 Recommendations In accordance to this research, in order to have effective OSH practices and comply with national and international standards and promote OSH in Rwanda‘s mining sector, there is need to:  

 

demonstrate employers‘ commitment to OSH through developing and implementing an OSH policy; understand that preventive process: conducting risk assessment, hazard identification, defining and implementing preventives measures, monitoring and evaluation of implemented preventive measures is key in a bid to improve materials, environmental, ergonomic and psychosocial conditions; ensure workers‘ participation and capacity building through trainings; implement elements of OSH management system taking into consideration the context of the company.

Productivity based payment practice that is common in Rwanda‘s mining sector is another aspect that should also be taken into consideration while reforming the sector because it presents hindrances to OSH promotion.

Generally, Rwanda‘s mining sector needs to improve the level of machinery, lay out, technical know-how and organizational conditions. In addition, access to finance as well as a shift from artisanal to small scale and small scale to large scale mining are also critical factors that can contribute to the promotion of OSH. V.3 Limitations The research faced the limitation of respondents‘ low level of knowledge on OSH. Despite explanations that were given to respondents by the researcher, they still encountered challenges in answering questions appropriately.

In addition, the research faced the challenge of limited time for the training of miners due to the nature of their work. All these challenges should be taken into consideration for future studies.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Published sources Danellie Lynas. Investigating the Occupational Health and Safety Issues Associated with Smallscale and Artisanal Mining in Ghana, February 2014 Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe. Report on Occupational Safety Health System for small scale Mines in Rwanda of July 15th, 2010.

Journal of Cleaner Production. Human health and safety in artisanal and small-scale mining: anintegrated approach to risk mitigation. www.elsevier.com/ locate/jclepro Jinky Leilanie Lu. Journal of International Women's Studies Volume 13, Jul-2012. Occupational Health and Safety in Small Scale Mining: Focus on Women Workers in the Philippines Ed. Kaj Elgstrand and Eva Vingård. Occupational Safety and Health in Mining; Anthology on the situation in 16 mining countries, NR 2013; 47(2) Economic Commission for Africa. Compendium on best practices in Small Scale Mining in Africa, December 2002 European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 2012. Management of occupational safety and health International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology, Vol. 2, No 4, 2013, 622 – 633 International Mining for Development Centre (IM4DC). The Management of Occupational Health and Safety in the Australian Mining Industry, 2012 K Elgstrand1 , DL Sherson2 , E Jørs3 , C Nogueira4 , JF Thomsen5 , M Fingerhut6 , L Burström7 , H Rintamäki8 , E Apud9 , E Oñate9 , N Coulson10, L McMaster11, EE Clarke12.

Safety and Health in Mining: Part 1. Vol 23 No 3 May/June 2017 Mine Health and Safety Council. Guidelines for the South African Small-Scale Mining to Comply with the Mine Health and Safety Act, January 2016 Mining, Mineral and Sustainable Development (MMSD) report, January 2002 Priester et al, 1993; Taupitz et al, 1993. Department for International Development (UK) October 2004. Increasing the contribution of artisanal and small-scale mining to poverty reduction in Tanzania R. S. Wireko-Gyebia, R. S. Kingb and D. K. Ahadzieb. 6th International Conference on Infrastructure Development in Africa (ICIDA, 2017). Community-Based Approach in Managing Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining in Developing Countries Trade & Investment Mine Safety. New South Wales Code of Practice: Safety management systems in mines, February 2015

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Websites: https://www.bgr.bund.de/EN/Themen/Min_rohstoffe/Downloads/Rwanda-Report-small-scalemines.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=4 International Labour Organization. Briefing note: Occupational safety and health in mining in Mongolia.http://www.ilo.org/beijing/what-we-do/publications/WCMS_532829/lang-en/index.htm International Labour Organization. ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and Work. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_ILO_CO DE:C138 International Labour Organization. ILO Convention No 155 concerning Occupational Safety and Health Convention and the Working Environment, (1983). http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_ILO_CO DE:C155 International Labour Organization. ILO Convention No.176, Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_ILO_CO DE:C176 International Labour Organization. ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_ILO_CO DE:C182 International Labour Organization. ILO Convention 187, Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_ILO_CO DE:C187 International Labour Organization. ILO handbook (Working Paper http://www.ilo.org/sector/Resources/publications/WCMS_162738/lang--en/index.htm

WP.168.

International Labour Organization.

ILO Recommendations, No. 183. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_ILO_CO DE:R183 Ministry of Natural Resources. Law n° 13/2014 of 20/05/2014 on mining and quarry operations. http://www.minirena.gov.rw/fileadmin/Mining_Subsector/Laws__Policies_and_Programmes/La ws/1.Law_on_Mining_and_Quarry_Operations.pdf Ministry of Natural Resources.

Mining policy, January 2010. http://www.minirena.gov.rw/fileadmin/Mining_Subsector/Laws__Policies_and_Programmes/La ws/Policy___Mining.pdf

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Ministry of Natural Resources. Ministerial Order N°002/MINIRENA/2015 of 24/04/2015 on criteria used in categorization of mines and determining types of mines. http://www.minirena.gov.rw/fileadmin/Mining_Subsector/Laws__Policies_and_Programmes/La ws/2.Ministerial_Order___Category_and_type_of_mines.pdf Ministry of Public Service and Labour. Ministerial Order N°02 of 17/05/2012 determining conditions for occupational health and safety. http://www.mifotra.gov.rw/uploads/media/Official_Gazette_n_Special_of_25.05.2012-1.pdf Ministry of Public Service and Labour. Occupational safety and health national policy, October 2014. http://www.mifotra.gov.rw/uploads/media/OSH_POLICY-FINAL.pdf Ministry of Public Service and Labour.

Pilot LFS February 2016 file:///C:/Users/mifotra/Downloads/Labour_Force_Pilot_Survey_Report_Feb_2016%20(1).pdf Rwanda Social Security Board. Law n° 06/2003 of 22/03/2003 modifying and completing the decree law of august 22, 1974 concerning organization of social security. http://www.rssb.rw/sites/default/files/law_of_2003_modifying_the_decree_of_1974-1_0.pdf Rwanda Standards Board. Mining and quarrying — Code of practice: RS 117. http://www.rsb.gov.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/files/Mandatory_Standards_2013.pdf

Unpublished sources F. Martin, ‗Course on concepts and fundamentals of occupational safety and health‘, Master of occupational Safety and health, 5th edition.

F. Martin, ‗Course on Management of OSH‘, Master of Occupational Safety and Health 5th Edition

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APPENDICES Appendix 1: Mining and quarrying-Code of practice RS 566: 2011 First edition 2011-03-29 Mining and quarrying — Code of practice Responsibility on health and safety in employment The principal objective of health and safety in employment is to prevent harm to employees at work. The owners and managers of mines and quarries should set up good programs for health and safety management for their workers.

Employer‟s responsibilities An employer shall have a general duty to take all practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers while at work. In particular, employers shall be required called upon to:  provide and maintain a safe working environment;  provide and maintain facilities for the health and safety of workers at the site;  ensure that machinery and equipment in the place of work is designed, made, set up, and maintained to be safe for employees;  ensure that there are control measures set up for workers exposed to hazards in their daily work;  ensure that all the workers are covered by an insurance institution for risks  develop procedures for dealing with emergencies that may arise while employees are at work;  ensure that all workers are either initially trained / competent to operate plant and equipment or are clearly supervised by someone who is competent;  post procedures / working instructions in public places for easy accessibility to the public.

Hazard Prevention Hazard prevention starts at the planning stage of a mining project and continues during operation, mine closure and after-care. Therefore effective public mechanisms should be in place which covers permitting and controlling, where the permitting process covers the entire lifecycle of a mining operation including the after-use.

Hazard Management Employers should identify hazards in the place of work (previously existing, new and potential) and regularly review these to see whether these hazards have changed and are significant and require further action. Where an accident results in harm to a person, an employer should record it in a register of the prescribed form. The employer should also investigate whether it was caused by a significant hazard.

This does not preclude responsibility on workers to participate in the hazard management process.

Where the hazard is significant, this standard sets out the steps an employer should take.  Where practicable, the hazard should be eliminated;  If elimination is not practicable, the hazard should be mitigated; In addition, The employer should, where appropriate:  ensure that protective clothing and equipment is provided, accessible and used properly; 68

 

monitor employees‘ exposure to the hazard; regularly review the hazard to identify any changes in status.

Employers should establish systems for this process of identifying and managing hazards.

Information for workers Employers should inform their workers and the health and safety representatives of:  emergency procedures;  hazards the employee may be exposed to while at work (ongoing);  hazards the employee may create while at work which could harm themselves and other people;  how to minimize the likelihood of these hazards becoming a source of harm to others;  the location of safety equipment and how to use and maintain it.

The employer shall inform employees of the results of any monitoring of health and safety exposure in the workplace. In doing so, the privacy of individual employees should be protected.

The employer should ensure employees are either sufficiently competent to do their work safely or supervised by an experienced and trained person.

In addition, the employee shall be adequately trained in the safe use of equipment in the place of work, including protective clothing and equipment.

An employer is also responsible for the health and safety of people who are not employees. An employer should take all practicable steps to ensure that an employee does not harm any other person while at work, including visitors and the population in general.

Workers responsibilities Effective health and safety management should involve everyone in the place of work.

Key actions in meeting this requirement include:  complying with instructions given by an employer or manager;  using and maintaining personal protective equipment provided;  working in a co-operative manner with an employer in health and safety management;  reporting hazards that you are unable to control individually;  exercising their right to refuse unsafe work;  reporting any accident occurring at the place of work;  ensure their own health and safety as well as the health and safety for their colleagues.

Accident recording Understanding the nature and frequency of accidents within the work area assists in the identification of actual or potential hazards in the workplace. The employers shall have responsibility to maintain a register of all accidents occurring at the place of work.

Health and Safety Management Systems General Effective management of health and safety relies on the presence of a health and safety management system. The nature and size of the operation will determine the complexity of this system.

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The presence of a site or company specific health and safety management system gives a clear indication of the steps to be taken to effectively manage their health and safety issues.

Responsibilities of persons in relation to hazard control at work place Any employee should, immediately before starting work in any area and frequently during work, carefully examine the area for potential hazards that may endanger the safety or health of any person.

Any person who finds or becomes aware of such a hazard should immediately take action (within their capability) to control the hazard so as to remove or reduce the risk of injury or illness.

If the elimination or avoidance of that hazard is not immediately possible, work should cease and the situation reported to a supervisor or manager.

Any person who becomes aware of a hazard presenting a serious and immediate danger at the workplace should immediately suspend any affected operations until the hazard is controlled and area made safe and then report the action taken and the examinations conducted.

No person should drink alcohol or take any drugs that may impair his or her capability of working or responding in an emergency.

The Hazard and risk management process for open cast mines and underground mines The hazard and risk management process should be constant and ongoing and shall be applicable to all aspects of the business from organization and equipment design to managing site behaviour on the job. It also includes the management of change in all its forms.

The process should be as follows:  Identification of hazards and associated risks;  Assessment of the hazard and associated risks;  Determining what controls are required to manage the hazard and associated risks;  Developing a recovery plan to prevent escalation if the controls fail;  Monitoring and reviewing controls for effectiveness.

The site manager being the person in control of site operations shall ensure that appropriate processes are in place for hazard and risk management.

Hazard and Risk Identification These two principles should be adopted when approaching the identification of hazards and their associated risks in opencast mines and underground:  don‘t expect one person to identify the hazards and risks; a team with a range of experience and expertise should be used;  use a systematic approach in sufficient detail to ensure all potential hazards identified and that the risks posed by them are confidently and adequately understood.

There are a range of hazard and risk identification methods. Typically a combination of methodologies shall need to be applied to ensure complete identification of hazards and risks.

The following identification methods shall be used: 70

    

Geotechnical Analysis; Hazard and operability studies; Task Analysis (Job Safety Analysis); Physical Inspection; ―What If‖ Analysis.

Hazard and Risk Assessment  A hazard assessment should be carried out to determine which hazards are significant  and the exact nature of the risk posed by them. The hazard assessment should:  be conducted consistent with recognized hazard and risk assessment  approaches  take into account all relevant available information concerning the hazard and associated risks at the operation;  identify and assess the nature and magnitude of all potential sources of the hazard and associated risks;  include any assumptions made in relation to the identification and assessment of hazard and risks including initiating events;  include, in relation to each identified hazard and risk, an assessment of the worst case position of the potential source of the hazard and risk having regard to such things as the nature of the operation, future operations, and any possible changes, geological or otherwise mining regulations should be taken into account throughout the assessment.

Hazard and Risk Control Any measures used to control the hazard or risks posed by a hazard should be based on information obtained from the hazard assessment. The hazard controls shall:  eliminate;  mitigate.

The hazard control element of the hazard management process should:  set out the measures to be taken to prevent the people coming into contact with hazard;  provide for the identification and maintenance of hazard control zones between areas of work and each identified potential hazard if appropriate;  include any special systems of working developed for the hazard;  include any assumptions made in the development of measures to control hazards and their risks;  be maintained so that the best available knowledge of the risks control at the operation is at all times in practice;  be reviewed and if required updated before the operation is developed into any new area.

The hazard and associated risk controls should include provisions for reviews of the control‘s effectiveness.

The manager should ensure that the persons performing duties as part of the hazard and associated risk control process are competent to carry out those duties and are given appropriate and continuing training.

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Hazard monitoring and review To be confident that the hazards and their associated risks are adequately managed, their status and the controls applied shall be monitored and reviewed. This is to ensure that:  the nature of the hazard or associated risk has not changed;  the controls that have been applied are adequate to manage the hazard or associated risk in its current state.

Hazard management plans Hazard management plans should reflect a hazard and risk management methodology and should include but not be restricted to the following areas:  geological phenomenon;  underground workings;  flooding and water management;  hazardous substances  natural disasters;  man-made disasters.

For each of the above categories, appropriate technical expertise should be used to identify the presence of such hazards for individual sites. Then an assessment of the risks involved should be carried out.

All hazard management plans dealing with the above hazards and associated risks should be clearly documented and held on site for easy access.

Each hazard management plan should provide for reviews (internal and external as appropriate) of its contents no less than annually by a competent person and this should be documented.

The hazard management plans should clearly identify the roles, skill levels, and responsibilities required for their implementation.

Hazardous Substances Key areas to consider when managing hazardous substance risk through hazard management plans include:  ensuring that persons responsible for managing Hazardous Substances are qualified at the appropriate level;  ensuring that hazardous substances are stored and used in a safe manner to ensure exposure is as low as reasonably practicable;  a system for the medical monitoring of hazardous substance exposure should be in place and define the monitoring protocol and frequency for each substance;  the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment, equipment and resources to carry out the work safely;  information contained in a hazardous substance‘s safety data sheet should be considered in developing control measures.

Geological Management The employer shall ensure a system to control any geological failure at the operation is in place.

Key areas to consider when managing geological risks through hazard management plans include regular inspections of areas at risk of geological failure e.g. folds, faults, joints, dips, weathering and land slide. The greater the risk to the safety or health of persons at a place, the more frequents should be the inspections.

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Flooding and Water Management The employer should ensure that a system is in place to prevent the adverse effects of flooding or water breaches. Key areas to consider when managing the risks through hazard management and mine or quarry plans should include but not be restricted to the following:  water quality and quantity control;  basins;  saturation of slopes and machinery operation;  design of water containment or diversion structures;  competency of people carrying out the design and construction work;  fencing or other forms of isolation;  entrapment in unconsolidated silt.

Mine and Quarry Environment Lighting The lighting provisions for all workplaces, travelling ways and fixed installations should be designed so that all activities can be carried out safely.

Particular consideration should be given to highlighting hazardous areas and the provision of emergency lighting.

First Aid Facilities In every operation first aid facilities should be provided.

In particular; appropriate site specific first aid equipment and supplies should be kept in a position where they are immediately accessible.

For every shift, holders of a current and competent first aid certificate should be available to render assistance in the event of an emergency.

There should be planned means for getting emergency services or other means of assistance to any injured person.

A regular inspection of the first aid system, equipment and supplies should take place. A review as to the systems effectiveness should be carried out annually. This review should be carried out in conjunction with emergency response exercises as appropriate.

Air quality control The employer should ensure that there is a dust, gas and dangerous elements control and ensure that enough ventilation system is put in place to prevent workers from breathing dangerous mining dust.

The purpose of ventilation in underground mining is to ensure that sufficient fresh air enters the underground environment to dilute, render harmless and remove any flammable or noxious gases and airborne dust. Fresh air should comply with RS 543.

Sanitation The employer should ensure good hygienic and sanitary conditions in mining areas for the protection of health of miners. Adequate toilet facilities should be provided in an accessible proximity to working places.

Personnel Pre-employment health Screening A suitable health examination should be undertaken prior to commencement of employment.

This should be based on specific work to be done as well as the hazards the worker may be 73

exposed to, and which can be harmful to his life. The examination should be carried out by a medical practitioner or occupational health nurse.

Ongoing health monitoring Ongoing monitoring to ensure fitness for work should be maintained and carried out at intervals reflecting the impact of the hazard.

Training Employers should ensure that employees receive training or supervision appropriate and suitable to the level of the task(s) to be carried out.

Induction All new employees should have an induction before start of work.

This should include coverage of company procedures including site specific detail such as emergency response and high hazard areas.

All contractors and visitors who are visiting the operation should undergo an appropriate induction. If they are to be directly supervised this may be of a lesser nature than for employees.

Personal Protective Equipment The provision of personal protective safety equipment shall be the responsibility of the employers. They should ensure that all people who are required to wear such equipment are trained in its correct use and maintenance.

The ongoing use and maintenance, where applicable, of personal protective equipment is the joint responsibility of the employer and individual employees.

Replacement cycles should be identified for all protective equipment. These should reflect the manufacturers/suppliers guidelines and the environment in which the equipment is used.

Types of protection Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be available for almost every part of the body and the type of equipment purchased shall depend on the protection that is required.

Head protection Miners shall be provided with, and shall wear, safety caps (helmets) which are approved in the jurisdiction in which the mine operates.

The cap (helmets) should be equipped with a lamp bracket and cord holder to permit mounting of a miner‘s cap lamp. In areas of the mine where permanent lighting is not installed, the miner‘s cap lamp is essential to permit the miner to move and work effectively and safely. The key requirements for a cap lamp are that it be rugged, easy to operate with gloved hands, provide sufficient light output for the full duration of a work shift (to illumination levels required by local regulation) and that it be as light as possible without sacrificing any of the above performance parameters.

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Foot protection The mining work boots should be of either leather or rubber construction, depending on whether the mine is dry or wet. Minimum protective requirements for the boots include a full punctureproof sole with a composite outer layer to prevent slipping.

Eye and face protection Mining operations require the miner to wear safety spectacles, goggles, face shields or a full face piece respirator, depending on the operations being performed and the combination of hazards to which the miner is exposed. For the majority of mining operations, safety spectacles with side shields provide suitable protection.

Goggles are not worn frequently below ground unless the particular operation poses a danger of chemical splash.

A face shield may be worn where the miner requires full-face protection from weld spatter, grinding residues or other large flying particles which could be produced by cutting, chipping or scaling.

A full face piece respirator may be worn for face protection when there is also a requirement for respiratory protection against a substance which is irritating to the eyes. Such operations are more often encountered in the above ground mine processing than in the below ground mining operation itself.

Respiratory protection The respiratory protection needed in mining operations shall be dust protection. The equipment should include: face masks, half face respirators, air filter units.

Hearing protection Underground vehicles, machinery and power tools generate high ambient noise levels which can create long-term damage to human hearing. Protection is normally provided by ear muff type protectors which are slot-mounted on the miner‘s cap. Supplementary protection can be provided by wearing closed cell foam ear plugs in conjunction with the ear muffs. Ear plugs, either of the disposable foam cell variety or the reusable elastomeric variety, may be used on their own, either because of preference or because the accessory slot is being used to carry a face shield or other accessory.

Skin protection Certain mining operations may cause skin irritation. Work gloves should be worn whenever possible in such operations.

Work gloves shall be worn for hand protection.

Clothing Ordinary cotton coveralls or treated flame-resistant cotton coveralls should be the normal work wear in mines. Strips of reflective material should be added to make the miner more visible to drivers of moving underground vehicles. Miners working with heavy equipment may also wear rain suits over their coveralls to protect against cutting fluid, hydraulic oil and lubricating oils, which can spray or leak from the equipment.

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Belts and Harnesses The belt and harnesses should be worn for protecting miners against falls.

Protection from heat and cold In open-pit mines in cold climates, miners shall have winter clothing including thermal socks, underwear and gloves, wind resistant pants or over-pants, a lined parka with hood and a winter liner to wear with the safety cap.

In underground mines, heat is more of a problem than cold. Ambient temperatures may be high because of the depth of the mine below ground or because it is located in a hot climate.

Protection from heat stress and potential heat stroke can be provided by special garments or undergarments which can accommodate frozen gel packs or which are constructed with a network of cooling tubes to circulate cooling fluids over the surface of the body and then through an external heat exchanger. In situations where the rock itself is hot, heat resistant gloves, socks and boots are worn. Drinking water or, preferably, drinking water with added electrolytes must be available and must be consumed to replace lost body fluids.

Other Protective Equipment Depending on local regulations and the type of mine, miners may be required to carry a selfrescue device. This is a respiratory protection device which will help the miner to escape from the mine in the event of a mine fire or explosion that renders the atmosphere unbreathable because of carbon monoxide, smoke and other toxic contaminants. The self-rescuer may be a filtration type device with a catalyst for carbon monoxide conversion or it may be a selfcontained self-rescuer, i.e., a closed-cycle breathing apparatus which chemically regenerates oxygen from exhaled breath.

Communications Suitable means of communication should be provided and maintained throughout the operation.

These may include the following:  signs;  alarms;  lights;  radios;  telephones.

For people who are required to work alone, appropriate procedures for regular communication with another person should be put in place. This may involve the use of a mobile phone or radio.

Surface Plans Site Plan In order to prevent personal injury, damage to services and to facilitate emergency response, accurate plans of the surface area of the site should be prepared and held on site in a place accessible to all employees. This information should be communicated to all potentially affected people. The plans should be to scale and should include:  the boundaries of the surface area;  offices, buildings, processes, workshops, explosives magazines, fuel storage, emergency assembly areas, underground workings, access roads and any other permanent structures;  utilities infrastructure including: 76

 − − − − − −

the high voltage reticulation system buried and overhead electrical services; gas lines; water lines; sewerage lines; communications cables; this plan must be reviewed and updated when changes to any of the above occur.

Plans of Workings In some instances it is appropriate to develop plans of surface or underground workings. These should be updated to reflect changing operations. The nature of the operation (size and potential hazards) will determine the necessity of having such a plan and the frequency of the plan reviews. This plan may include but not be limited to the following:  roadways;  pits;  slope;  water courses;  stockpiles;  overburden dumps;  ponds.

Surface Plan Identification All current site plans should be identified as such. They should have the date they were finalized and indicate the review schedule in a clearly visible place. Each plan is to be signed by a competent person responsible for the planning process and its accuracy.

Environmental management practices Land disturbance The company should ensure that the area and the duration of disturbance to land and vegetation are minimized.

To minimize the area and duration of disturbance to land and vegetation, the following measures or similar measures can be used:  avoid disturbing large and/or mature trees;  select specific trees to be cleared and avoid causing damage to surrounding vegetation;  where practical leave the rootstock intact to promote regeneration and regrowth.

Air quality The company should comply with RS 544:2010.

To prevent causing an unreasonable release of emissions; the following measures or similar measures can be used:  altering work practices to avoid or minimize the generation of dust;  scheduling activities for times when they will have least impact;  spraying water on roads and tracks;  revegetating disturbed areas as soon as practicable;  leaving or creating wind breaks or screening; and  installing pollution control equipment (e.g. fitting bag filters or a cyclone to dust generating equipment).

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Noise emissions and vibrations The company should not cause unreasonable noise at a noise sensitive place.

Mines in areas where ground vibration and noise from blasting are not regulated; there should be the design of their blasts so that the following criteria are not exceeded at or beyond the boundaries of the mine property:  ground vibration of 12.5 mm/sec peak particle velocity measured below grade or less than 1 meter above grade; and  concussion noise of a maximum of 128 dB. In residential areas adjacent to mine sites, the equilibrium sound pressure level (Leq) from mining activities should not exceed 55 dBA during the day and 45 dBA at night.

Ambient noise can also affect wildlife. Sites in remote locations should also work to meet these objectives for off-site ambient noise levels.

To prevent causing unreasonable noise at a noise sensitive place the following measures or similar measures can be used:  construct and maintain noise barriers and enclosures around noisy equipment or along the noise transmission path;  implement noise reduction measures at noise sensitive places;  provide and maintain low noise equipment;  carry out routine maintenance on fans to minimize bearing noise; and  repair or replace defective mufflers of vehicles and plant with suitable effective mufflers;  limit the hours of operation of the project.

Erosion and sediment control The company should design, install and maintain adequate banks and/or diversion drains to minimize the potential for storm water runoff to enter disturbed areas.

The company should also design, install and maintain adequate erosion and sediment controls wherever necessary to prevent erosion of disturbed areas and sedimentation of any Watercourse.

Regularly clean out sediment traps, ponds and drains and maintain them in effective working order, until erosion stability has been achieved in disturbed areas.

Topsoil and Overburden Management The company should ensure that topsoil is removed and stockpiled prior to carrying out any mining activity. Prevent or minimize the mixing and erosion of topsoil and Overburden stockpiles.

To separate topsoil and overburden and to prevent or minimize the erosion of these stockpiles the following measures or similar measures can be used:  identify topsoil and overburden layers before stripping topsoil;  store topsoil and overburden in separate stockpiles;  where practicable; reuse topsoil stockpiles;  establish and maintain a temporary cover crop on stockpiles; and  limit the height of topsoil stockpiles to 2 meters.

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Hazardous substances The company should ensure that spills of hazardous contaminants are cleaned up as quickly as practicable. Such spillage must not be cleaned up by hosing, sweeping or otherwise releasing such contaminants to any watercourse, waterway, groundwater, wetland or lake.

Stability of mining infrastructure Construction of new roads and tracks When constructing new roads and tracks, the company should ensure that the area and duration of disturbance to land, vegetation and watercourses is minimized.

When planning and constructing new roads and tracks the following measures or similar measures can be used to minimize the area and duration of disturbance of land, vegetation and watercourses:          

wherever possible use or upgrade existing roads and tracks; construct roads and tracks along natural grades; minimize the width of roads and tracks; avoid constructing roads or tracks that run straight down the bank to the crossing; do not disadvantage other users of existing public roads & tracks; construct a bed level causeway, a culvert or a bridge where natural bed conditions within a watercourse will not carry the intended traffic load or where crossing of the bed will generate a significant increase in turbidity; position crossings to prevent flow being directed towards the banks and provide erosion resistance to the bed and banks downstream of a crossing for a distance equal to the width of the normal flow channel; do not create any downstream or upstream drops at the lip of culverts or causeways; regularly clean out culverts, bridges and causeways to prevent flow being impeded or redirected; and construct in-stream crossings outside of main fish migration periods.

Access to and from underground workings Where a mine or tunnel or a new section of a mine is being developed, single access is sufficient, but a second means of egress, independent and separate from the primary access shall be provided and put in place as soon as practicable.

An appropriate ladder of footway shall be provided in every shaft being sunk for person ascending or descending, unless other means of travel is provided.

Washing plants and ponds In washing plants moving machine parts on trommels, screw classifiers, pumps etc. need guarding. Walkways may require skid resistant surfaces and warnings of possible slippery surfaces. Where deep ponds create a potential drowning hazard they should be fenced off and warning signs posted. Barriers such as windrows are required where vehicle traffic moves adjacent to deep ponds. Regular inspections may be necessary to assess stability in areas where erosion could undercut and weaken embankments.

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Electricity Electrical work can only be done by qualified electricians but operators should make regular visual checks to ensure that equipment is in a safe condition and that cables remain properly supported and well protected. Overhead and underground cables should be marked on a plan and precautions taken to avoid contact with machines e.g. visible markings. Electrical safe distances between any live overhead electric line and any part of a mobile plant (or load carried) should be at least 4 meters, unless the operator has received written consent from the line owner. If mobile plant is to be used in the proximity of overhead electric lines a warning notice should be conspicuously posted in the cab in view of the operator.

Fires are often caused by faulty electrical equipment and suitable fire extinguishing capability should be readily available. Electrical installation rooms shall be kept dry and clear of combustible materials and shall not be used for general storage. Isolating transformers or earth leakage protection should be used for work with electrical hand tools.

Elevated fixed platforms, walkways and access stairways should be provided with protection rails and toe-boards. Inspections should take place with sufficient frequency to ensure that the floors, railings are sound and safe from moving machinery. Climbing up or walking on places and equipment that were not designed for the purpose should be prohibited. Portable ladders should be of industrial type.

Elevating work platforms such as cherry-pickers and scissor-hoists may be used by operators who have been trained in set-up and operation procedures. Scaffolding shall be properly constructed using material that has the strength to cater for all loading that it may be subjected to.

Suitable barriers or exclusion zones should be in place to prevent falls into crushers and other dangerous machinery. Note that the use of a harness and fall arrest device is a specialized area and should only be undertaken by people who have been suitably trained.

Emergency procedures shall be in place to enable a rescue within a few minutes of any fall occurring.

Waste management The company should not directly or indirectly release waste from the project area to any watercourse, waterway, groundwater, wetland or lake.

When managing waste materials the following strategy should be adopted:  waste minimization;  waste recycling and reuse;  waste treatment and disposal.

The company shall not directly or indirectly release wastewater to any watercourse, waterway, groundwater, wetland or lake.

To prevent the direct or indirect release of waste water to any watercourse, waterway or groundwater, wetland or lake the following measures should be used:  where practical recycle all waste water;  wastewater recycling and reuse; 80

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wastewater treatment and disposal.

With regard to the onsite management of water refer to RS 463:2009 the Permissible limits for industrial wastewater.

Sludge management Sludge that is a by-product of the treatment of mine effluent should be managed so that it will remain in a physically and chemically stable state. In this regard, a mine owner/operator should:  characterize treatment sludge to determine whether there are potential leaching concerns;  avoid disposal of treatment sludge with potentially acid generating wastes;  dispose of sludge in a physically secure facility under conditions that will maintain the chemical stability of the sludge;  treat and monitor wastewater from the sludge management facility as necessary to ensure regulatory requirements are met.

In cases a mine is predicted to produce large volumes of sludge over an extended period of time, the mine owner/operator should consider using a treatment process that produces a lower volume sludge.

Service, maintenance and storage areas The company should not directly or indirectly release fuels, oils, lubricants or other contaminants to any watercourse, waterway, groundwater, wetland or lake.

To prevent the direct or indirect release of fuels, lubricants or other contaminants to any watercourse, waterway, groundwater, wetland or lake the following measures or similar measures can be used:  maintain all refueling equipment in good working order;  use groundsheets or drip trays to capture spillage during maintenance of machinery and vehicles;  locate all fuel storages within an impermeable bund;  ensure all liquid containment, including fuel tank bunds and process water ponds, have a volume at least equal to the design volume plus an additional 10% of that volume;  where practical, undertake all refueling and routine maintenance of vehicles within designated service areas.

Drilling, excavating and sampling The company should ensure all marker pegs are marked with contrasting colour so as to be clearly visible; all marker pegs are removed from the tenement at the completion of exploration activities; all permanent markers (example, concrete plugs or steel plates) are installed at ground level and made safe.

When drilling, excavating or sampling, the company should ensure that the area and duration of disturbance to land and vegetation is minimized.

When drilling, excavating or sampling the following measures or similar measures can be used to minimize the area and duration of disturbance to land and vegetation:  consider seasonal influences, such as rainfall before excavating or establishing a drill site;

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construct drill pads no larger than necessary to safely accommodate the drilling rigs and ancillary equipment; use excavators or backhoes wherever possible in preference to bulldozers; and use drilling fluids and other process fluids which are non-toxic; Install and maintain adequate warning signs, fences and rock bunds to exclude people, livestock and native animals from excavations and shafts; provide safe access to water for livestock and native animals by: − providing hard surfaces around water storage areas; and − fencing off any soft areas around the edge of water storage areas.

The company should not drill, excavate or clear vegetation:  in standing waters, wetlands or lakes; or  on the sloped banks or within 3m of the top of the bank or 5m of the toe of the bank; or  within, or on the levee banks of the normal flow channel.

Climate change Strategies for reducing greenhouse gases releases to the atmosphere should be considered and implemented throughout all phases of the mine life cycle. Carbon reduction opportunities should include the use of heavy equipment and vehicles that are fuel efficient and/or use alternative fuel.

In planning all aspects of mine operations, particularly water management and mine waste management, the potential impacts of climate change should be considered.

Regional long-term predictions of climate change should be consulted, and predicted changes with respect to temperature, precipitation and extreme weather events should be taken into account.

Any aspects of site infrastructure that could be affected by climate change should be planned, constructed and operated in a manner that will reduce or eliminate the potential impacts associated with climate change.

Emergencies A system that deals with emergencies shall be in place and have been communicated to everyone on the site.

Employees should be given opportunity to participate in the development of this system.

This system should clearly state the methods and process to be used in the tasks of the emergency. It should cover but not be limited to the following:  emergencies that may be encountered at the site;  general emergency procedures including evacuation to assembly areas;  provision for the transport of sick or injured persons;  isolation and control of access to the incident area;  appointment of duties to be carried out by designated individuals;  the supply and maintenance and training in the use of emergency equipment;  provision and supply of water storage and reticulation for firefighting;  reporting and replacement of damaged equipment;  liaison and working with Emergency Services, including guidance to the site, as  appropriate;  methods of communication between all parties involved in an emergency;

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the emergency response system for permanent sites should be tested and reviewed in a live simulation at least once per year.

Explosives Procedures should be developed, implemented and monitored to ensure that only an approved handler may store, transport, initiate, and dispose of explosives.

Procedures should include the following:  selection of explosives;  storage of explosives;  transport of explosives;  preparation and charging of explosives;  initiation of explosives;  treatment of misfires;  disposal of unwanted or deteriorated explosives.

NOTE Mines using ammonium-based explosives should adopt best management practices for blasting and for the handling of these explosives to avoid spillage and minimize ammonium residue remaining after blasting, thereby lowering the potential for ammonium contamination.

Equipment and Machinery Stationary plant General All exposed and dangerous parts of machinery or plant should be kept securely fenced or guarded so as to prevent any person from coming into contact with them.

Emergency stop facilities, which enable power to be promptly cut off in the event of imminent danger, should be provided within reach on all plant or equipment that may pose a danger.

A warning system prior to start-up should be used in all instances.

All pipes used to carry compressed air, water, gas or other hazardous substances should be clearly identified and should be checked at regular intervals along the pipe system.

A system of managing defects that may affect the safety of electrical, hydraulic or mechanical equipment should be in place and cover:  the prevention of use of that plant or equipment;  the means by which that defect is repaired;  the recording of the defect and repair.

Each site should have a preventative testing and inspection system for the safety related aspects of equipment and machinery. Records of all such activities should be kept.

Isolation and Lockout Procedures shall be developed, implemented and monitored to ensure that potentially damaging energy is isolated from persons who have to work on electrical, hydraulic or mechanical plant or equipment.

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These procedures should include the requirement that isolations are carried out prior to any work commencing and that those isolations attain a state of zero energy.

Any stored energy is made safe and confirmed as such.

Conveyor belt The area in which the conveyor is used should be of sufficient width to allow inspection and maintenance. Access ways beneath conveyors should have adequate overhead protection.

Conveyors should be kept free of flammable material, rubbish and spillage.

The belt and its load should also remain clear of any other structures such as cable trays and power lines.

Regular inspections should be carried out to ensure undue heating of either the belt or spillage does not occur and potentially present a fire risk and that other points referred to in this section are adhered to.

Conveyors, where accessible, should have an emergency stop device along their entire length.

Where appropriate rollback/anti-runaway devices should be fitted.

Crushing & Screening unit The area in which the crusher or screen is located should be sufficient to allow inspection and maintenance.

Crusher and screening platforms should be kept free of spillage and other debris.

Daily documented inspections should be carried out to ensure crushers and screens are safe to operate.

Crushers and screens should be isolated and locked out prior to undertaking maintenance.

Appropriate precautions must be taken to eliminate or minimize exposure to noise and dust.

Where exposed suitable protection should be supplied.

Detailed information may be obtained from the guideline for identifying hazards associated with crushing and screening plants in mines and quarries.

Mobile Plant General Only competent persons authorized by the manager may operate mobile plant.

All vehicles shall be fitted with seatbelts of the appropriate standard for the driver and any passengers. Seatbelts shall be worn at all times when a vehicle is in operation.

Passengers shall only be carried where a seat fitted with seatbelt is provided.

Mobile plant that operates in an environment in which people are working should be fitted with the following items:  adequate lights;  a suitable fail-to-safe braking system;  an effective method for ensuring the vehicle is visible under all circumstances. This may include flashing lights, pole flags, running lights;  suitable firefighting equipment;  a reverse warning system;  Comprehensive vision forward and back; 84

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a suitable washing and wiping system for operator visibility.

Testing of Mobile Plant Pre-operational checks should be carried out and recorded by operators every shift.

Provisions should be made for the systematic testing and inspection of all mobile plant by a competent person. All inspections and tests should conform to a schedule of examinations and tests and be documented and records held.

Inspection and testing should include:  the thorough examination and testing of all mobile plant at an interval appropriate to the type of transport and according to the manufacturers‘ guidelines;  steering and lighting systems;  the inspection of all moving parts of mobile plant that are practically accessible to establish that they are moving freely and without obstruction;  the thorough examination of all parts of the mechanical braking system of the mobile plant, including: − braking surfaces (pads, blocks and similar parts) to ensure they are not excessively worn; − brake actuators to ensure that they are operating satisfactorily; − the testing of all braking systems of mobile plant shall follow manufacturer‘s instructions/specifications.

Haulage railways A set of plans showing all parts of the railway system of the mine or quarry operation should be prepared and held at the site office.

Rules and procedures determining shunting and loading operations shall be documented and communicated to all affected personnel. These should include responsibilities and authorities.

Traffic control and roadway conditions In relation to all mobile plant, rules should be documented and communicated to all parties involved. These should include but not necessarily be limited to the following:  the conditions under which mobile plant is used;  measures taken to keep roadways clear of debris or other materials that may negatively impact on mobile plant.

Ensuring the safe operation of the mobile plant by providing for the following:  the maximum loads (by reference to weight, dimensions, number or other criteria) that may be carried in or towed by mobile plant;  the areas in which speed restrictions apply and the nature of the restrictions;  the conditions under which a person may work on or adjacent to a roadway to be used for mobile plant;  parking procedures for transport or haulage;  inter-vehicle communication;  overhead obstacles;  traffic flow requirements.

All roadways on which mobile plant operates shall be maintained to standards consistent with the safe operation of that mobile plant. In particular: 85

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the roadway should be clearly defined at all times signs indicating speed limits should be placed in strategic positions the roadway should be wide enough to accommodate all traffic potentially using.

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Appendix 2: Checklist Compliance Indicators NAME OF THE COMPANY/IZINA RY‟IKIGO………………………………………………

UBURENGANZIRA BWO KUBAZWA/ CONSENT Maze gusobanukirwa ko amakuru abazwa muri iyi nyandiko agamije gusa ubushakashatsi bwo gusoza ikiciro cya gatatu cya kaminuza/After understanding that the information requested for is for research purposes only; Maze gusobanukirwa kandi ko amakuru ntanga azagirwa ibanga kandi agakoreshwa muri ubu bushakashatsi gusa/ After understanding that the information will be kept confidential and used for the purposes of this research only; Nemeye gufasha ubu bushakashatsi nsubiza ibibazo bikubiye muri iyi nyandiko/ agree to support this research and answer questions below: SUBIZA IBIBAZO BIKURIKIRA USHYIRA IKIMENYETSO CYA AHO BIKWIYE/ ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY PUTTING WHERE REQUIRED 1. Ikigo gifite Politike yo guteza imbere ubuzima n‟umutekano ku kazi mu kigo?/Does the Enterprise have occupational safety and health policy?

1. YEGO/YES 2. OYA/NO 2. Imashini zikoreshwa mu bucukuzi ziri ku ruhe rwego?/ At which level do you rank machinery and equipment used in mining?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 3. Ubumenyi bw‟ikigo mu bucukuzi buri ku ruhe rwego?/At which level do you rank company‟s technical know-how (mining skills)?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 4. Ibyatera abakozi ibyago bigenzurwa ku ruhe rwego?/ At which level do you rank the identification of (previously existing, new and potential) hazards in the place of work?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 5. Ingamba zo gukumira ibyatera abakozi ibyago ziri ku ruhe rwego?/ At which level do you rank the prevention of identified hazards?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 87

3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 6. Uruhare abakozi bagira mu kubungabunga ubuzima n‟umutekano ku kazi byabo biri ku ruhe rwego?/At which level do you rank workers‟ participation in the development and implementation of occupational safety and health measures?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 7. Amahugurwa abakozi bahabwa ku bijyanye n‟akazi bagomba gukora ndetse n‟ubuzima n‟umutekano ku kazi ari ku ruhe rwego?/ At which level do you rank workers‟ training on how to perform their duties as well as Occupational Safety and Health?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 8. Ikoreshwa ry‟intambi ku buryo ridatera abakozi ibyago rikorwa ku ruhe rwego?/At which level do you rank the safe use of exploxives?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 9. Ingamba zo guhangana n‟ibyago biza bidateguje abakozi bashobora guhura nabyo mu kazi ziri ku ruhe rwego?/ At which level do you rank procedures of dealing with emergencies that may arise while employees are at work?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 10. Uburyo bwo kubara no kumenya abakozi bari mu ndani buri ku ruhe rwego?/At which level do you rank the systems for accounting for persons working underground?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 11. Guteganyiriza abakozi ku bijyanye n‟ubuzima n‟umutekano ku kazi mu kigo cy‟Igihugu cy‟ubwiteganyirize bw‟abakozi bikorwa ku ruhe rwego?/At which level workers are insured in RSSB for occupational risks?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 12. Kwandika impanuka, indwara n‟impfu bikomoka ku kazi ndetse no kuzimenyekanisha mu nzego zibifitiye ubushobozi bikorwa ku ruhe rwego?/At which level do you rank Occupational accidents recording and reporting at competent Authority?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 88

13. Kugenzura ishyirwamubikorwa ry‟ibikorwa byo kubungabunga ubuzima n‟umutekano ku kazi by‟abakozi bikorwa ku ruhe rwego?/ At which level do you rank organization‟s monitoring and evaluation of occupational safety and health control measures?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 14. Hari umukozi ushinzwe ubuzima n‟umutekano ku kazi mu kigo?Does the enterprise have an employee in charge of occupational safety and health?

1. YEGO/YES 2. OYA/NO 15. Ibyerekeye abafitanye amasezerano n‟ikigo/About contractors (a) Mu masezerano abafitanye amasezerano n‘ikigo bafitanye na nyirikigo, haba harimo ibyo kwita ku buzima n‘umutekano ku kazi by‘abakozi? Does the contract between the main contractor and sub-contractor provide for occupational safety and health?

1. YEGO/YES 2. OYA/NO (b) Ikigo gikurikirana imikorere y‘abo gifitanye nabo amasezerano ku ruhe rwego?/At which level do you rank the control of contractors practices by the main contractor?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 16. Abakozi bapimishwa kwa muganga ku byerekeye indwara zikomoka ku kazi?/Does the enterprise conduct workers‟ health surveillance?

1. YEGO/YES 2. OYA/NO 17. Ubwiherero, amazi yo kunywa meza n‟ahantu ho gufatira amafunguro biri ku ruhe rwego?/At which level do you rank sanitary facilities, drinking water and areas for meals for workers?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 18. Ibikoresho byo kurinda abakozi impanuka/ Personal Protective Equipment a) Abakozi bose bafite ibikoresho bibarinda impanuka? Are all workers provided with Personal Protective Equipment?

1. YEGO/YES 2. OYA/OYA b) Umukoresha asimbuza ibikoresho birinda abakozi impanuka iyo bishaje ku ruhe rwego? At which level do you rank substation and maintenance of PPEs? 1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%)

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19. Ubutabazi bw‟ibanze/First Aid a) Hari agasanduku k‘ubutabazi bw‘ibanze n‘ibikoresho bihagije? Is there First Aid box with enough equipment?

1. YEGO/YES 2. OYA/NO b) Hari umukozi wahuguriwe gutanga ubutabazi bw‘ibanze?/ Is there a worker trained to provide First Aid? 1. YEGO/YES 2. OYA/NO 20. Hari ibyapa bigaragaza ahatera abakozi ibyago n‟ibikoresho bagomba kwambara? Are there safety signages at workplace?

1. YEGO/YES 2. OYA/NO 21. Kurinda abakozi kugwirwa n‟ubutaka, ivumbi, ubushyuhe n‟umwijima bikorwa ku ruhe rwego?At which level do you rank the measures to protect workers from fall of mines structures, dust hazard, heat stress and darkness?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%) 22. Muri rusange, aho akazi gakorerwa haba hujuje ibijyanye n‟ubuzima n‟umutekano ku kazi ku ruhe rwego?At which level do you rank the general performance of occupational safety and health in your enterprise?

1. RUSHIMISHIJE/HIGH (70%-100%) 2. RURINGANIYE/MEDIUM (50%-69%) 3. RURI HASI/LOW (0%-49%)

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