IMnI's 3rd Health & Safety Workshop

Executive Summary of Best Practices Shared

As part of the IMnI’s ongoing campaign to raise the bar on health and safety in our industry, the IMnI organized its 3rd Health & Safety Workshop in Johannesburg focusing mainly on Health issues. Jointly hosted by Ore & Metal Company and Samancor Mn, the workshop was the most well attended to date, with 37 delegates representing 19 different companies and 4 different continents. 

The three- day workshop included a seminar, a mine visit and a visit to a smelter.

The seminar on day 1 focused on the following issues:

1. Occupational Disease: Defining & diagnosing occupational disease accurately mainly manganism.
2. Occupational Exposure: Identifying areas and tasks with high work place exposure and strategies for minimizing such exposure.
3. Aspects of Occupational safety: How best to work together as a responsible and sustainable industry to understand and educate workers and communities on any potential risk.

Meanwhile, day two and three (visit to a mine and a manganese smelter respectively) highlighted policies for ensuring worker safety, controlling dust emissions and reducing exposure.

Major conclusions:

• There are distinct pathological differences between manganism (a form of secondary Parkinsonism) and Parkinson’s disease.
• Manganese accumulation in the brain (specifically in the globus pallidus) confirms exposure but not manganism.
• A priority for industry, scientists and medical professionals would be to derive a consensus statement defining manganism based on sound scientific knowledge and clinical symptoms.
• It is necessary to identify high exposure areas in the workplace, exposure groups and exposure profiles before developing a strategic process for exposure reduction.
• An exposure assessment is important for the development of an exposure monitoring plan and for the choice of personal protective equipment employed.
• Health surveillance is a necessary tool for use before, during and after employment.
• Effective communication and training of workers with annual reminder workshops can reduce the rate of injuries and lost time.
• Strictly controlled conditions and constant monitoring of activities are essential for a safe mining process.
• Industry should work together towards acquiring and publishing information on the essentiality and beneficial effects of manganese and its compounds to provide a balanced story to workers and the public.