Personal Protective Equipment which is available to all female employees who are employed in hazardous areas on surface and underground.
1.Ear Protection
2.Eye/Face Protection
3.Respirators
4.Dust Masks
5.Hard Hats/Sun Hat
6.Gum Boots
7.Safety Shoes
8.Leather Welders Aprons
9.Leather Welder Spats
10.PVC Aprons
11.PVC Jacket
12.Neumo Jacket (Black)
13.Cap Lamp Belts
14.Knee Guards
15.PVC Gloves
16.Leather Gloves
17.Acid Proof Overalls
18.2-Piece Boiler Overalls
19.Non Reflective Overalls
20.Two Piece Overalls
21.PVC Suits
22.Dust Coats
23.Arm Guards
24.Reflective Overalls
25.Hairnets
26.Undergarments (i.e. cotton pants/cotton tights)
- WIM who find problems with their PPE equipment or have any suggested improvements to the COP may report the matter to their Supervisor which may lead to reduce the requirement for PPE, or improvements in the design or application of PPE
- BML Specification guidelines towards the selection and provision of PPE towards the Manufactories for PPE for WIM
- PPE should be adopted to incorporate ergonomic and comfort aspects
- PPE used by WIM shall have the design and pattern (specially protective clothing) and conform with the requirements and specifications of the relevant standards stipulated and approved by the SABS, with regard to the fabric, style, shape, dimensions, stitching and lining for woman’s work wear.
- Area’s to be re-designed to suit WIM include torso length, shoulders, chest/breast, waist and hips.
- PPE Manufacturers for the Company should conduct constant surveys on PPE together with the Safety Department on appropriateness, and to identify challenges experienced by WIM, particular in relation to fit and comfort
- The PPE used by WIM should be based on female anthropometric and of a fabric that complies with the requirements of SANS 1261-2 and also meet with SANS 1822, SANS 142, SANS 1360-2, SANS 1228:2009, SANS 492-1:2002, SANS 492-2:2003
Training
The Training Centre must set measures to ensure that WIM are properly trained in the use of the PPE issued/provided to them which shall include the following:
- Identifying appropriate persons to carry out training for WIM on the use of PPE and that person should have the necessary qualifications and experience and other requirements to be met by such person.
The training conducted shall be done in two phases for all WIM who are required to wear PPE:
a. General Training.
- When and why personal protective equipment is necessary;
- What type of personal protective equipment is necessary?
- How to properly put on, take off, adjust and wear.
- The limitations of the PPE i.e. PPE not to be taken home.
- The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE; and
- Advising WIM on appropriate personal wear with the different types of PPE for WIM
b. Site Specific Training.
The direct Supervisor will conduct and document the training on the following of his/her WIM PPE:
- What type of PPE is necessary for each job;
- How properly to put on, take off, adjust and wear PPE.
- How to obtain PPE; and
- Departmental procedure towards the cleaning, maintenance and replacements of PPE for Woman in Mining (Employees not allowed to take their PPE to their area of residence for washing purposes)
The Training Centre shall ensure that each trainee demonstrates the correct use of PPE and found competent before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE.
The Training Centre shall ensure that retraining is done, where required, when:
- New equipment or processes are introduced that could create new or additional hazards; and
- There have been changes in the workplace or PPE that renders previous training obsolete
- To ensure if any employee who has been trained does not have the understanding or skills required to use the PPE properly, that such employee is retrained and the retraining is documented and recorded.
ABLUTION FACILITIES AND CHANGE ROOMS
Introduction:
The unavailability of physical facilities underground is largely due to the fact that the Mining Industry was dominated by males and therefore the need for these facilities did not exist, but now increasingly more woman are entering into the core functions of BML. Therefore BML has decided that conditions towards the facilities for WIM must cater for the added needs of woman, especially during menstrual cycle trying to avoid woman staying home when thus occur. BML is in the process to ensure that ablution facilities are put in place both underground and on surface.
Underground:
- Ablution facilities must have lockable doors
- Sanitary bins which must be serviced and maintained
- Private cubicles to be allocated to WIM
- Separate toilet facilities which is identified by means of signage
- Where possible have a water tap for hygiene purposes
Surface: (Change Rooms):
The change rooms for Woman in Mining should be as follow:
- Separate from any men’s change room
- Be equipped with enough toilet facilities to the number of people using the same change room
- Have enough shower and washing basins for the amount of people using the change room
- Be equipped with at least 1-2 mirrors
- Have the necessary facilities i.e. bins for menstrual purposes
- Showers should be screened-off by means of either walls or shower curtains
- Private cubicles to each and every female employee making use of such change room.
PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY
Introduction:
- There are several areas that have been identified as higher safety and security risks for female employees. These areas usually include the cages, underground, change rooms, dark places, individual security searches and medical treatment
- Females’ safety in the cages is often compromised due to the number of people in the cage as well as the lighting. The overcrowding and darkness in cages could result in unwanted physical contact and physical injury. Horseplay between males places females in a situation where they are unable to single out the perpetrator
- Female’s safety underground:- The conditions underground are usually of such nature that there is a risk for female employees to be separated from the rest of the work team and this will isolate her to be vulnerable to sexual harassment.
- Security of female employees at change rooms can also compromised if access of unwanted parties to the change rooms is allowed and the gender of the cleaners should be considered
- Individual security searches should be gender specific to ensure that the security and safety of female employees is not compromised. Applying to the mines’ Sexual Harassment’s Policy to security personnel can also be seen as a preventative measure initiated by the employer
- During the treatment of illness, injuries and emergency medical treatment, it is important that it is a priority to save lives and there is no difference between male and female employees. Caution should be taken when removing clothing, in the case of heat stroke, burns, etcetera and touch when applying pressure to bleeding. The correct procedure would be to ask consent from the respondent should she be able to respond. A sexual harassment policy should be in place to educate employees. What also should be addressed in this policy are the consequences of unfair or ungrounded sexual harassment accusations.