Tired of socio-economic stress: socio-demographic contributors to fatigue of mine workers In South Africa
Date
2020
Authors
Pelders, Jodi Lyndall
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Abstract
Mine workers face hazards both within and outside of the workplace. Challenges with socioeconomic and living conditions prevail in the South African mining industry, and are linked to
worker health and wellbeing. Meanwhile, fatigue is an occupational health and safety risk,
which can result from hard physical or mental work, health and psychosocial factors, or
inadequate sleep. However, there is a lack of research that has assessed the association
between demographic and socio-economic characteristics and fatigue. The aim of this
research was therefore to fill this gap, and assess socio-demographic contributors to fatigue
of mine workers in South Africa. Findings of the research can be used to identify
interventions to improve health, safety and productivity in the industry.
The research was cross-sectional and employed mixed methods. Data collection took place
at 12 mines and one smelter from 2014 to 2017. Qualitative data were gathered through
interviews and focus group discussions, with a total of 395 participants, including those in
management, labour representatives, and workers. Quantitative data were gathered from
questionnaires completed by 1 515 workers. The qualitative data were analysed using
thematic analysis. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential
statistics, including Chi-square tests and binomial logistic regression. Methodological
triangulation was used to combine and verify the results from the different sources.
The results of the study are contained in four papers published in scientific journals, in
fulfilment of the study objectives. The first paper details the living conditions of workers from
eight mines in South Africa. The second paper examines associations between sociodemographic factors and health and safety of mine workers. The third paper assesses
contributors to fatigue of workers at a platinum smelter. The final paper looks at associations
between socio-demographic characteristics and fatigue in the South African gold and
platinum sectors. Fatigue was found to be associated with various demographic
characteristics, socio-economic and living conditions, and lifestyle, health, safety and
wellness factors. In particular, higher levels of fatigue were associated with younger age,
higher levels of education, increased commuting times, indebtedness, a lack of exercise,
poor nutrition, increased alcohol use, and inadequate sleep. Fatigue was also positively
associated with higher levels of stress, poorer health, increased use of sick leave, reduced job satisfaction, and poor quality of life. Multi-stakeholder partnerships, improved employee
wellness programmes, enhanced workplace culture, monitoring and evaluation, and further
research, are recommended
Description
Original published work submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy (Public Health), 2020