The mining industry may be dominated in numbers by male miners and few may be aware of the challenges facing female mine workers. A recent report on the death and rape of a female mine workers has however placed the spotlight on the plight of the female mine worker and also recognized the importance of implementing measures to enhance the safety of our women in mining! Are we doing enough for the safety of female miners?
The mining safety website at MiningSafety.co.za received a request for assistance in answering several questions and we were able to collect some responses from other experts in the industry.
We would like to share some of these responses received from Mineworkers Union Solidarity:
Solidarity does not have many female members in the mining industry, therefore we are not directly involved with the problems in this regard and can only state what is picked up during our interaction with other unions, employers and the DMR. Out comments are therefore not firsthand but based on hearsay.
Regarding the key challenges facing women miners in South Africa:
- Many challenges faced by women in the mines are due to ergonomic problems and working conditions. Working conditions for women involve more musculoskeletal risk factors due to the type of area in which work is done, the interaction between the female worker and the work station and the work duration.Machinery, tools, etc. are designed for men and the physical attributes of men. When women work under the same conditions with the same tools, it can cause musculoskeletal disorders as same conditions have a more effect on them than on men, because women generally have less muscular power than men.
- The working conditions, as set out above, combined with the “traditional family responsibilities” of women in households and society, add to increased stress and fatigue and therefore increased risks for women in mining.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as shoes, harnesses and overalls that are used in mines and are issued to women are not always specifically designed for women and are therefore not as safe, comfortable or practical for women.
- Toilet facilities underground are often shared with the men, which causes anxiety to women.
- Gender discrimination and sexual harassment, sometimes on a subtle and sometimes on a more direct level, take place e.g. men make snide or explicit remarks or refuse to accept the authority or capabilities of women.
- This conduct affects women’s psychological health, generating stress related reactions such as emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, anger, low self-esteem, etc., but it also affects their physical health, producing stress related diseases such as sleep disorders, headaches, stomach problems, ulcers, etc.
- Chemical substances are often present in specific areas of the mining sector and men as well as women are exposed to chemical substances in their work. However, sufficient studies have not always been done on the toxic effects it may have on women.The accepted Threshold Limit Value of chemicals are mostly based on the reactions of chemicals on men. Due to the biological differences between men and women, e.g. anatomic differences (women have less body mass), physiological differences (such as fat content) and biochemical differences (such as hormonal processes), these values are not necessarily applicable to and safe for women.
What is being done by the industry to address these challenges?
We do not have detailed information, but we have knowledge of studies being done by or on behalf of the Chamber of Mines to investigate aspects such as ergonomics, PPE for women, changing traditional perceptions regarding women, etc.
Conclusion:
We will strive to gather more information on Safety for the Female Mine Worker and share this information on MiningSafety.co.za. Through education and sharing of knowledge we may be able to create a greater understanding of the challenges faced by both genders which could lead to increased respect and safety at our mines!
