HEALTH AND SAFETY

The health and safety of Northam employees is of paramount importance and takes precedence over all production objectives. We are guided by extensive legislation and regulations, notably the Mine Health and Safety Act No 29 of 1996. (For details, please go to our Material issue 5.)

Key features of our health and safety structure and systems:

• The health, safety and environmental (HSE) board sub- committee is responsible for overseeing compliance with health and safety laws and regulations that may have an impact on the company.
• Operational health and safety is the responsibility of the general manager at each operation.
• Day-to-day safety management is delegated to the operational managers, who are supported by the mine health and safety departments.
• Operational and joint management and employee health and safety committees meet, at a minimum, on a monthly basis.
• The operations maintain policies and procedures, detailed records and reports on safety matters, accidents and their severity, transgressions and remediation work. This information is analysed and used to improve safety performance.
• Reports on health and safety are submitted to the HSE committee, which is tasked with health and safety matters for further interrogation and oversight.
• All employees and contractors receive safety induction training on an annual basis, and intermittently during the year, for example, when they return from leave.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is supplied to employees and a comprehensive code of practice guides the allocation of PPE for occupational-specific requirements.

Participatory approach

Northam encourages the participation of employees and management in all health and safety matters. Employees may participate in the union’s health and safety committees through their elected officials.

At Zondereinde, the joint management and employee-represented health and safety committee meets on a monthly basis or more frequently if required. The committee is responsible for the identification of critical issues that may have an effect on the health and safety of employees and the environment as well as for inspections, audits and accident investigations, identifying areas for training and development, and providing personal protective equipment. The committee’s main focus is on empowering employees to take responsibility for their own health and safety, and the health and safety of others, by identifying and reporting potentially hazardous situations.

Both Zondereinde and Booysendal have operational HSE committees which hold monthly meetings and are chaired by each operation’s general manager and attended by two fulltime health and safety representatives who have been elected by employees. Safety representatives attend mine production meetings where safety concerns are discussed and receive training in safety. In total, 72 safety representatives were trained at the new on-mine training centre at Booysendal during the year. Zondereinde’s HSE committee aligns its activities with the joint health and safety committee.

Booysendal also has a concentrator plant HSE committee, which meets monthly, and a special health and safety committee, which meets every quarter to discuss unresolved issues raised at business unit level. At this quarterly committee meeting, incidents and accidents are discussed and reviewed and common risks are identified and deliberated as a preventative measure.

Safety performance in F2015

All safety-related incidents are considered very seriously at Northam, and continuous efforts are made to reinforce operational standards and responsibility.

Analysis of safety incidents indicates that injuries are generally associated with the following activities and/or materials:

• Material handling
• Trucks and tramming
• Falls of ground
• Winches and rigging
• Slips and falls
• Moving machinery
• Hydropower
• Ventilation
• Explosives

Traditionally, handling of materials and falls of ground have been the main contributors to injuries at Zondereinde – with employees involved in construction, development and stoping activities most at risk. Focused training and disciplinary measures manage the prevalence of behaviour-based safety transgressions. Disciplinary measures include counselling; verbal and written warnings; suspension without pay; and dismissal. The Du Pont safety management programme, instituted in 2012, is to be discontinued and will be replaced by the Chamber of Mines’ recommended safety system in F2016.

No fatalities were reported during the year under review (F2014: 0).

Northam defines a lost time injury (LTI) as an injury which results in one to 13 days of lost time while a reportable injury (RI) is an injury which results in lost time of 14 days or more. The LTI and RI incidence rates are based on 200 000 man-hours worked.

Zondereinde

In F2015, Zondereinde achieved three million fatality free shifts. 96 LTIs were reported, of which 69 were reportable. The primary causes of LTIs in F2015 were related to the manual handling of material and minerals and to falls of ground.

Whilst the total number of injuries recorded declined year on year resulting in an improved lost time injury incidence rate (LTIIR), the severity of injuries sustained resulted in an increase in the reportable injury incidence rate (RIIR). Overall the operation’s LTIIR was   1.31 per 200,000 hours worked (2014: 1.70) and the RIIR was 0.94 (2014: 0.86).

Nobody was injured when shaft steelwork was accidentally damaged during a rope-change exercise at Zondereinde’s No.1 shaft on July 28 last year. The accident did, however, put the shaft out of commission for six weeks.

The DMR imposed six Section 54 safety-related work stoppages at Zondereinde during the year under review. The stoppages were all section or incident specific, relating to a range of safety issues.

To date, Zondereinde has applied the following Mining Industry Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) preventative measures:

• Hearing-protection devices
• Netting with bolting
• Entry examinations and making safe
• Proximity detection system

FATALITIES – ZONDEREINDE

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
0	0	1	2	5

LOST TIME INJURY INCIDENCE RATE PER 200 000 HOURS WORKED - ZONDEREINDE

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
1.31	1.70	1.50	1.91	1.34

REPORTABLE INJURY INCIDENCE RATE PER 200 000 HOURS WORKED - ZONDEREINDE

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
0.94	0.86	0.83	0.88	0.74

FATAL INJURY INCIDENCE RATE PER 200 000 HOURS WORKED - ZONDEREINDE

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
0.00	0.00	0.01	0.02	0.06

Booysendal

At the end of F2015, Booysendal achieved 1,917,768 million fatality-free shifts, No fatalities have been recorded since inception of the mine in 2010. Booysendal’s LTIIR was   0.54 (F2014 0.27) and the RIIR was 0.41 (F2014 0.21).

There were two safety-related work stoppages at the operation during F2015. On February 10, 2015 a Section 54 stoppage was imposed on the mine. The mine’s Merensky boxcut development project was affected for six days, but this did not affect production. Another Section 54 stoppage was imposed on June 12, 2015, following a serious fall of ground related accident. The North mine was stopped and production lost for two days.

In F2015 Booysendal recorded 12 LTIs of which nine were reportable. The primary causes of LTIs for F2015 were falls of ground, trucks and tramming and materials handling. Compliance with standards and procedures remains a challenge. In order to mitigate this, we employ a high visibility of safety staff who work irregular shifts. We also conduct extensive coaching as part of our Hlokomela Tau! – Watch out for the Lion (danger)! – campaign.

The Think fall of ground initiative continued to be one of the key focus areas during 2015 and has resulted in significant improvements in examination techniques. The initiative involves officials going underground every Monday and Friday morning to ensure that employees are entering their worksites safely. Any deviations are rectified immediately and superior performance rewarded.

Other safety related features of F2015 included bringing about an increased compliance by contractors and sub-contractors with Northam’s safety standards and incorporating the trigger action response plan into the early morning examination process.

LOST TIME INJURY INCIDENCE RATE PER 200 000 HOURS WORKED - BOOYSENDAL

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
0.54	0.27	0.53	0.19	0.65

REPORTABLE INJURY INCIDENCE RATE PER 200 000 HOURS WORKED – BOOYSENDAL

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
0.41	0.21	0.33	0.05	0.22

Health performance in F2015

Northam is subject to stringent health and safety laws and regulations. The company seeks to comply fully with applicable health and safety legislation, and to ensure that all employees adhere to group safety standards. (For more details, please go to our Material issue 5.)

The primary occupational health risks identified at Northam in F2015 were tuberculosis (TB), noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and occupational lung disease, and these constituted our key focus areas. We aggressively target HIV/Aids and TB with emphasis on prevention, through education initiatives and community involvement, as well as a monitored employee wellness programme, which includes the provision of antiretroviral treatment (ART). We also concentrate efforts on drug and alcohol abuse, and their effects on employee performance.

Healthcare services

We provide our employees and contractors with an integrated and holistic healthcare service, for primary and occupational health, through the Platinum Health medical aid scheme (the Suremed^® scheme terminated on 31 December 2014, with the Platinum Health scheme becoming active on 1 January 2015).

Healthcare services are offered to all employees and contractors who belong to the scheme and to their families. A network of doctors, specialists and dentists is contracted to the scheme. As well as localised health care, scheme members also have access to the Netcare^® and Life^® networks countrywide.

Programmes designed specifically for occupational health include:

• Wellness
• Medical surveillance
• Occupational and chronic disease management
• Rehabilitation and back-to-work programmes
• Emergency care

At Zondereinde, healthcare services are provided on site and at a network of medical facilities where employees reside. Five hospitals are available to employees in the area. The service also provides on-site paramedics with emergency response vehicles, social workers and physiotherapists. In addition, Platinum Health administers a comprehensive TB and HIV/Aids management programme at the operation.

Booysendal’s medical facilities are located at the Mashishing medical station, some 90 kilometres from the mine. The scheme’s healthcare services include:

• An on-site emergency facility with four full-time 24/7 paramedics available for the treatment of accidents, injuries and minor health issues
• Two on-site ambulances on permanent standby with a backup facility at Dwarsrivier and Thorncliffe, approximately 15 and 12.5 kilometres respectively from Booysendal mine
• Access to helicopter services
• Medical centres in Mashishing, Middelburg and Nelspruit

Through the Platinum Health scheme, families in Mashishing, Middelburg, Nelspruit, Burgersfort and Steelpoort areas have access to these facilities.

HIV/AIDS

Northam has a comprehensive HIV/AIDS policy in place which covers employee care, education programmes, information confidentiality and promotes non-discrimination. All Northam employees have access to professional counselling and support including voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The Northam HIV/ AIDS programme focuses on the following:

• Encouraging employees who are HIV-negative not to participate in high-risk behaviour through, the mass distribution of condoms, the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a peer education programme
• Early detection and identification of HIV to limit high-risk behaviour among those infected and to start them on a treatment regime that can prolong healthy living (the VCT programme underpins this objective and provides the necessary counselling)
• Encouraging infected employees to participate in the wellness programme, which includes the provision of ART. Comprehensive counselling is provided to ensure that employees understand and accept the long term implications of participating in the ART programme.

Zondereinde

Zondereinde’s HIV/ AIDS programme comprises:

• Health education
• Campaigning
• Clinical management (VCT, pre- and post-test counselling, adherence testing and counselling, prevention of mother-tochild transmission, and HIV treatment)
• Laboratory investigations

In F2015, 1 250 employees were registered on the VCT programme (F2014: 1 049). Of these, 249 tested positive. A total of 144 employees currently participate in the HIV/AIDS wellness programme.

Zondereinde’s peer educator programme includes 20 employees who form part of the support structure that provides counselling and training for employees infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

VCT ENCOUNTERS – ZONDEREINDE

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
1 250	1 049	1 088	1 659	271

Booysendal

Booysendal implemented a wellness and disease management policy and programme in March 2015. The programme is an effective method to promote health and wellness amongst our employees as well as our mining and processing contractors.

Our programme promotes a healthy lifestyle and addresses chronic or life-threatening diseases such as HIV/AIDS and TB. In addition, injuries which have may result in a medical disability or occupational incapacity such as sexually transmitted infections, cancer, heart diseases, chronic obstructive airways diseases, diabetes, asthma and hepatitis.

Our wellness programme consists of a variety of activities such as health education, medical screening, health coaching, weight management programmes, wellness newsletters and fitness educational information.

Booysendal’s HIV/Aids peer education group is managed by contractor, Minopex. The contractor aims to educate employees about chronic illness, the spread of contagious diseases and prevention measures. Minopex encourages employees to undergo VCT and ensures that effective intervention, assistance and referral systems are in place. They manage the proper distribution and supply of preventative promotion material.

VCT is done under the auspices of the wellness programme. Information about the numbers of employees registered on the VCT programme and taking ART medication is kept confidential. Employees requiring treatment are referred to the relevant medical practitioner.

TUBERCULOSIS

TB is a serious opportunistic infection and is the leading cause of death for people living with HIV. Northam runs a highly effective, directly observed treatment regime, which is aligned with the TB guidelines of the World Health Organisation.

Zondereinde

In F2015, 111 new cases of TB (F2014: 97) were identified at Zondereinde. A total of 79 employees were discharged from the programme. A total of 60 employees remained on TB treatment at the end of F2015 (F2014: 68)

NEW CASES OF TB – ZONDEREINDE

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
111	97	70	85	93

Booysendal

In F2015, four (F2014: six) new cases of TB were identified at Booysendal – all of whom are receiving treatment.

NEW CASES OF TB – BOOYSENDAL

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
4	6	2	3	–

NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS

Excessive noise exposure is one of the most pervasive health hazards in mining. Prolonged exposure to hazardous noise causes loss of hearing acuity, which occurs gradually and is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Northam ensures that it is legally compliant by guaranteeing that the noise associated with underground equipment is contained to below 110dBA. All Northam employees are issued with personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure that any exposure to noise levels above 85dBA over an extended period of time is limited.

Training in the use of PPE and prevention of NIHL is ongoing and forms part of the mines’ hearing conservation programme overseen by a hearing conservation committee.

Zondereinde

In F2015, 27 incidences of NIHL were detected and referred for compensation (F2014: 20), of which 9 were compensable (F2014: 2).

NEW CASES OF NIHL – ZONDEREINDE

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
27	20	43	44	18

Booysendal

Booysendal has a hearing awareness campaign in place, as well as a hearing conservation committee, which holds quarterly meetings. In F2015, 18 incidences of NIHL were detected (F2014: 41) of which one received compensation (F2014: 1).

NEW CASES OF NIHL – BOOYSENDAL

F2015	F2014	F2013	F2012	F2011
18	41	28	19	17

OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASE

The use of hydropowered mining equipment at Zondereinde helps to reduce employee exposure to both noise and dust. Bushveld Complex rock does not contain quartz, thereby eliminating the threat of silicosis and occupational lung disease. Neither Zondereinde nor Booysendal reported any such cases.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING

Drugs and alcohol are not tolerated in the workplace. Tests are conducted on a daily basis, and particularly after any safety incident. Employees who test positive are subject to disciplinary procedures with assistance and rehabilitation offered to overcome dependency.