CHAMWE KAIRA
Members of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia achieved a zero-fatality rate for a third consecutive year in 2023. Notably, the single fatalities recorded in 2021 and 2022 were associated with non-chamber member quarrying operations that mine dimension stone.
The efforts were mobilised by the chambers health and safety committee in collaboration with the chief inspector of mines to enhance safety protocols at quarrying operations.
The chamber said in its 2023 annual report that these concerted actions have not only improved the safety standards within those operations, but have also had a positive ripple effect across the entire industry, contributing to zero fatalities in 2023.
The number of Lost Day Injuries (LDI) fell by 17% while the number of Disabling Injuries fell by 29% in 2023, compared to 2022. The Lost Day Injury Frequency Rate (LDIFR) and the Disabling Injury Frequency Rate (DIFR) also registered the same trend, showing that chamber members reduced the number of incidents relative to the total number of shifts worked.
The review said the improved safety performance from chamber members is due to the renewed efforts of the health and safety committee. Following traveling disruptions caused by Covid-19 from 2020 -2022, the committee fully resumed their quarterly peer review visits in 2023. The peer reviews held at different mining operations have added tremendous value in improving practices and safety procedures at other operations.
“The committee has also enhanced its peer review learning by sharing the outcomes and learnings of incidents with the committee immediately after they happen. This helps members to make timely changes at their operations or address safety shortfalls to prevent similar incidents from occurring,” the chamber said.
The review also noted the progress made towards reviewing the mine health and safety regulations, which was 94% complete in 2023. Upon finalisation of this process, the intention is to implement new regulations to replace the outdated health and safety ordinance of 1968.
The chamber noted that since 2017, there has been a consistent decrease in national road fatalities.
This trend has persisted despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which significantly contributed to reduced traffic volumes on these routes during this time, the review noted.
“Given the substantial number of mining employees who commute on national roads daily, the ongoing decline in road fatalities indicates an increasingly safer environment for their travel. Mining companies have played an active role in enhancing road safety by supporting various campaigns and contributing towards infrastructure upgrades to the relevant road authorities.”
