Question NW366 to the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum ResourcesMr
30 August 2024 - NW366
Gcilishe, Ms S to ask the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum ResourcesMr
(a) How is his department addressing the lack of underground change rooms for female miners to ensure their safety and comfort while at work and (b) what steps are being taken to ensure that mining companies provide appropriate personal protective equipment designed for women working in the mining industry?
Reply:
a) The common practice in the mining sector is to build all change houses on surface for both female and male mineworkers. The main purpose of these change houses is to change from civilian clothes to the mine’s personal protective equipment (PPE) at the start of the shift and vice versa at the end of the shift. For health and safety reasons, all mineworkers are prohibited from accessing underground workings without the appropriate PPE. So, if the change houses were located underground, mineworkers were going to be exposed to hazardous conditions underground before changing into their Personal Protective Equipment or Clothing.
b) The Department has compiled a guideline for the compilation of the mandatory code of practice on the selection and provision of PPE for Women in Mining in the South African Mining Industry. In addition, the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate continuously monitors compliance with the provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act including health and safety matters affecting women in mining. Where non-compliance is identified, the necessary statutory instructions are issued to order compliance.