Wesizwe Platinum’s Health and Safety Policy supports the principle of zero harm to all stakeholders, including employees and host communities.
Safety
As the Group enters the mine construction phase it becomes even more important to ensure that safety systems are aligned with internationally recognised safety standards and that the principles of safe behavior are fully embedded in the workplace.
Wesizwe Platinum executive and the Board’s technical committee review performance and receive monthly reports on safety performance in an effort to identify, manage and mitigate risks in safety.
The Company worked over a million hours from 2004 to end 2010, including all contractors, with only one lost time injury (LTI) during drilling operations in 2007. This is an excellent safety record of which Wesizwe Platinum is very proud.
This unwavering focus on safety has continued with the start of early stage mine development in 2010. At the end of June 2011 the Company achieved 281 construction shifts (days) on the mine site without any injuries.
The target for the mine development project is zero harm.
Year on year safety statistics for Wesizwe Platinum employees and contractors
| |
2004 – 2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
H1 2011 |
Hours worked
(progressive) |
313 854 |
935 436 |
976 459 |
1 022 841 |
1 096 049 |
| LTI |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
LTIFR
(progressive) |
3.19 |
1.07 |
1.02 |
0.98 |
0.91 |
Employees from Wesizwe’s Frischgewaagd-Ledig mine development project celebrated a significant safety milestone when they achieved 300 construction shifts (days) without a lost time injury in July 2011
Health
Employee health is of paramount importance to Wesizwe Platinum. As its workforce grows, the Company aims to mitigate potential occupational health hazards through the implementation of an effective health management system based on research-based evidence and international best practices.
Medical examinations are conducted for all new recruits, permanent or contractor, and regular health assessments are conducted to check on key occupational health indicators. Exit medicals are also conducted.
The Company ensures that all employees have access to occupational and primary healthcare services. Permanent employees have medical insurance cover, partially subsidised by the Company, and local public hospitals provide offsite support.
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