Question NW221 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

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30 August 2019 - NW221

Profile picture: Mileham, Mr K

Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) is the incidence level as a percentage of mineworkers of (i) pneumoconiosis and (ii) silicosis in South African mines, (b) steps is his department taking to reduce the incidence levels of these occupation related diseases and (c) is the trend of the specified diseases in the mining sector over the past 10 years?

Reply:

(a)(i) The incidence level as a percentage of mineworkers with pneumoconiosis is 0.01 % reported from the 2017 annual medical reports and 0,00% in 2018.

(a)(ii) silicosis is 0.13% in 2017 and 0.09% in 2018.

(b)The department has carried focused audits and inspections on airborne pollutants in all the regions. The department has reviewed the Guideline on Airborne Pollutants in 2017/2018 financial year which was popularised industry-wide during 2018/2019 financial year. The department is monitoring airborne pollutants overexposures through occupational hygiene statutory returns on a quarterly basis. During the 2014 OHS Summit the South African Mining Industry, (State, Employers and Organised Labour) committed to reduce the Occupational Exposure Levels (OEL) of airborne pollutants by 2024 to reduce occupational lung diseases. The mining sector is engaged at annual Occupational Health Dialogues and quarterly regional tripartite forums to deliberate on programmes initiatives to reduce the incidence of occupational lung diseases (OLD) at mines.


Find here: (c)Trends of specified occupational diseases in the mining sector over the past 10 years: (i) Coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) cases reported from the annual medical reports

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