After the recent completion of the training centre at its head office in Johannesburg, Redpath Mining South Africa general manager: SHEQT, Johan Jansen van Vuuren, reveals that the company plans to undertake theoretical and practical training by the end of 2013. “As an MQA-certified facility, the centre provides mandatory in-house induction and safe working procedures training to all employees. There are also MQA accredited skills programmes for selected occupations, such as blasting assistant training, Competent A training involving workplace safe declaration, and Competent B training involving semi-skilled underground workers,” he says.
According to Jansen van Vuuren, the facility enables trainees to practice the skills that they have learnt in a safe, yet practical and realistic environment. This is important in ensuring that they are aware of, and fully prepared for, any potential workplace hazards that they may encounter onsite.
Redpath SA’s commitment to safety in the workplace is evident in the fact that it has recorded 230 lost-time free days, and 470 fatality-free days as of 12 September, 2013. Although these statistics are impressive, Jansen van Vuuren notes the company constantly strives to improve the overall safety of its employees through new initiatives, such as the Visible Safety Leadership (VSL) programme.
The VSL programme encourages senior management and project workers alike to engage with one another on every specific and individual safety concern. This ensures that there is a constant safety focus at all levels of employment and in every division. Another drive is the implementation of the Redpath Fatality Prevention Programme, a multifaceted initiative that has been developed to enhance existing safety systems within the company. “Safety is a core value of our business and the Fatality Prevention Programme contributes towards a sustainable future for the current and future employees of our business,” adds Jansen van Vuuren.
The main objective of the programme is to engage all employees in the process of fatality prevention and to ensure universal compliance with Redpath’s ‘Ten Cardinal Rules’ and ‘Fatal Risk Elimination Protocols’. “Every single Redpath SA employee plays a fundamental role in the prevention of accidents and fatalities. By continuing to place a stronger emphasis on inclusive safety initiatives, I believe that Redpath SA is well on its way to achieving a sustainable safety culture,” concludes Jansen van Vuuren.
For more information contact Johan Jansen van Vuuren, Redpath Mining South Africa, +27 (0)11 570 4300, [email protected], www.redpathmining.co.za
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