Health & Safety

Kenmare is committed to conduct its business without risk to the health and safety of its employees, contractors and the general public.  Kenmare applies a strategy of zero tolerance with the objective of zero fatalities or major injuries.

Zero tolerance means that:

• no one observes an unsafe situation without taking appropriate action;
• no one observes someone behaving in an unsafe manner without requiring the individual to stop;
• no one allows a colleague to work in unsafe conditions; and
• health and safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Senior managers are responsible for ensuring that appropriate organisational arrangements and resources are made available for the fulfilment of this policy and for monitoring its implementation and effectiveness.

Health and Safety Objectives

Kenmare will:

• meet and where possible exceed all applicable legal requirements and standards for health, safety and welfare of employees;
• demonstrate visible commitment by all line managers showing positive leadership in all matters relating to health and safety;
• seek to eliminate at risk behaviour;
• achieve and maintain healthy and safe work conditions;
• provide adequate welfare facilities for our employees;
• carry out appropriate health screening of employees;
• provide effective instruction, training and supervision for all employees;
• identify hazards, assess risks and eliminate these where practicable;
• involve employees at all levels by establishing local health and safety committees;
• provide and maintain safe plant and equipment;
• regularly review and, as necessary, revise Group policy and guidance notes; and
• ensure that all contractors and consultants adhere to site procedures.

Safety Performance

The focus for the year has been on the improvement of safety management systems that will help site management guide the operation toward sustainable safety performance. The dual emphasis on behaviour-based initiatives and management systems is seen to be instrumental for improving Kenmare’s health and safety performance.

Therefore, behavioural emphasis will be consolidated around hazard and near-miss reporting and job safety observation systems. In addition, the risk assessment process will continue the reduction process targeting high and extreme risks. 

Occupational Health Programme

Occupational hygiene surveys to assess the potential for employee exposure in the workplace are conducted by an occupational health consultant. In addition to personal exposure assessments, noise surveys of plant and equipment and surveys to assess noise levels in the environment surrounding the plant are completed. 

Surveys were conducted in accordance with standard methodology and results are assessed against internationally recognised occupational health standards. The survey results are used to assess the effectiveness of existing control measures and, if necessary, determine the need to implement additional protective measures or engineering design changes. The compliance with legislation governing exposure limits and worker safety is also assessed. 

Medical Centre 

The Occupational Health Centre operates on site on a 24 hour basis. The professional staff assess and treat any injury that occurs on site and are equipped to respond to any medical emergency situation that may arise. Annual medical examinations are carried out on all Kenmare employees. These are conducted by the Occupational Practitioner situated on site. No cases of occupational diseases were identified since operation of the Mine commenced in 2007. In addition to occupational health management, the clinic also assesses and treats malaria cases amongst employees and contractors on site. 

Malaria Prevention and Management Programme 

Malaria remains one of the most serious tropical diseases in the world. The Mine is located in an endemic malaria area. A number of initiatives were continued during 2009 to minimise the impact of malaria on site. These included distribution of mosquito bed nets to all employees and if applicable their families, pesticide spraying of the camp, provision of pesticide spray on site, and malaria awareness campaigns. 

HIV /AIDS Awareness Programmes 

Internal HIV/AIDS awareness initiatives have been conducted through a range of communication media including toolbox talks, newsletter articles, posters etc. Shorts printed with the HIV/AIDS awareness slogans were distributed to all employees along with booklets and leaflets providing general awareness information on prevention and positive living. Condom dispensers are placed throughout the site with condoms freely available. 

Supply Chain 

Kenmare is committed to optimising the involvement of Mozambican companies in the Mine’s supply chain. We are working closely with the Centre for the Promotion of Investment in Mozambique to identify additional potential Mozambican suppliers of goods and services to the Mine. 

Kenmare’s Moma Titanium Minerals Mine is a major investment in the north of Mozambique. We believe this will serve as a catalyst for further investment and Kenmare actively supports the Government of Mozambique in its attempts to promote investment in the country. 

Donations 

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