Modern Quarrying July-August 2016

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July - August 2016 MODERN QUARRYING 25
SPOTLIGHT ON
BRICKMAKING
REGULAR UPDATE
ASPASA
mining industry but are thankful that
Aspasa was not a contributor to these
figures. It is, however, worrying to see an
increase of 15% on recorded LTI or dis-
abling injuries for 2015, and in most cases
this was a contributing factor to our stats
as well. This is definitely a focus area for
the future.
“The first quarter of 2016 has not
been a good start for mining in general.
We have already seen 17 fatalities for the
first quarter with over 500 disabling or
LTIs recorded for this period; we need a lot
of attention in these areas,” he reiterates.
“As you know, the main focus of our
audit is operational control – the condi-
tion of the mine, the plant, workshops,
etc. This isn’t an easy audit because we
also look at industry requirements, your
own policies, your procedures and obvi-
ously legal compliance. I wish we could
honour everybody, but there is only a
handful that stood out and we need to
give credit for their hard work and com-
mitment,”Van Deventer says.
About Face 2016 mid-year report
Giving an overview of this year’s audit to
date, Aspasa’s About Face auditor Alan
Cluett says 50 audits have been con-
ducted to the end of June with some 60
scheduled between now and November.
“Seven operations have, for various rea-
sons, withdrawn and requested post-
ponement to a later date during the year.
To date, audit results confirm continued
environmental performance improve-
ment across the auditees – this despite
more difficult economic trading condi-
tions experienced in most markets.”
The About Face audit protocol has
been significantly upgraded from the
2012, 2014 and 2016 versions, with
increased emphasis placed on the setting
of objectives and targets; environmental
legal requirement compliance; physical
conditions on and around the operation;
and management and employee training
and awareness.
“Collectively, the 2016 audit focus
forms part of the Aspasa About Face
strategy of increasing the awareness and
capacity of operational management
and employees to meet the challenges
of an ever-changing environmental
requirement that has potential penalties
for non-compliance,” Cluett says. These
range from licence withdrawal or suspen-
sion; exposure to prosecution for owners,
directors, management and employees
for defined infringements; to poor public
perception and/or publicity.
Discussing the audit process, he says
all 2016 audits commence with a two-
and-a-half to three-hour training session;
a one-and-a-half to two-hour operational
physical inspection, followed by the man-
agement systemaudit. Training focuses on:
• environmental legislation set in the
context of Mine Health & Safety leg-
islation, covering the extent, various
applicable laws and offences and
penalties.
• the structure of the Environmental
Management System (ISO 14001 EMS-
based Aspasa About Face) in assisting