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DRD’s North-West operations record one million fatality-free shifts

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Published: Tuesday, 11 February 2003 02:00

Durban Roodepoort Deep, Limited’s North West Operations – comprising Hartebeestfontein and Buffelsfontein gold mines – have notched up one million fatality-free shifts, thus becoming the latest winner of the Mine Health and Safety Council’s Millionaire Shield. 179/03-jmd

Durban Roodepoort Deep, Limited’s North West Operations – comprising Hartebeestfontein and Buffelsfontein gold mines – have notched up one million fatality-free shifts, thus becoming the latest winner of the Mine Health and Safety Council’s Millionaire Shield.

It took the two mines, which together employ almost 13 000 people, 99 days to work the one million shifts without incurring a fatality. The last occasion was on 11 August 2001.

North West Operations General Manager Anton Lubbe attributed the mines’ success to a number of factors:

• thorough investigation of all accidents to determine their basic causes and prevent recurrences;


• discussion of all reportable accidents (those in which injuries are incurred that result in more than 14 days off work) with senior personnel and onward communication to the workforce through “safety flashes”;


• effective communication to all levels of the workforce on all other safety and related matters; and

the successful introduction of the NOSA safety rating system.

DRD Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Wellesley-Wood paid tribute to “an effective alliance between management, organized labour and the Department of Minerals and Energy” in effecting improved safety at the two mines.

Queries:
Ilja Graulich, Durban Roodepoort Deep, Limited
+27 11 381 7826 (office)
+27 83 604 0820 (mobile)

James Duncan, Russell & Associates
+27 11 880 3924 (office)
+27 82 892 8052 (mobile)