Safety, health and employee well-being

Management approach

Ensuring the safety, health and well-being of employees is a strategic imperative for DRDGOLD, and a key performance area for all levels of management and supervisors. This is a responsibility that the company shares with employees, and the company is actively committed to working closely with employees, unions and the regulators in achieving its safety and health targets. The board has tasked the Transco with oversight of safety and health strategy and performance.

DRDGOLD’s Health and Safety Policy commits the company to conduct its activities in such a way that ensures that the health and safety of employees are continually given ‘foremost consideration’. It states clearly that under no circumstances will any current or future activities be allowed to compromise the health and safety of employees and/or their families. Occupational health and safety is the responsibility of line management, and is a key indicator of business performance. DRDGOLD is committed to instilling in every single employee a culture that upholds the effective management of occupational health and safety as a prime objective of the company. To this end, awareness campaigns and training programmes are integral to the safety and health function across the company.

DRDGOLD has systems, structures and resources in place to ensure compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act. The company is a signatory to the 10-year health and safety targets set at the 2003 summit of the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC). MHSC is a tripartite body comprising members drawn from government, employers in the mining industry and employees. Under the chairmanship of the Chief Inspector of Mines, the council advises the Minister of Mineral Resources on health and safety at operational level as well as on research programmes. It also reviews regulations.

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