The Head of Safety for Anglo Platinum has reassured mining industry workers that the company is ramping up its efforts to improve safety records at its South African mines.

In an interview with the Times (Johannesburg), Clint Smit explained that with 14 deaths already recorded this year, the world's largest platinum producer is taking a new direction.

"This has largely come about since last year's recruitment of CEO Cynthia Carroll from Anglo American" He said, adding "She's brought a different set of values and put safety at the top of the agenda. Although we always said safety was first, I don't think we ever really put it at the top of our agenda. Today it really is the core value of the organisation.

"We come from a very instructive culture. You know, 'this is how we do it', and people were not allowed to make decisions and think. Now we're saying each employee's got the right to work in a safe environment and if that person does not feel safe we want them to withdraw."

Mr Smit also explained that he feels that the number of fatalities can be greatly reduced as 80 per cent are caused by human error.

He rejected the suggestion, however, that change is being effected as a result of pressure from the government and unions, adding: "No. I think it's because we care, and because of our values.

"We're saying, fundamentally, we don't want to work where all of our people cannot go home safely at the end of the day."



Source:

So many Questions with Clint Smit (21/09/08)
http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Insight/Article.aspx?id=847266