HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY PROCESS FOR SMALL AND JUNIOR MINES FROM 1994 TO 2001

Abstract

This research report uses a qualitative approach to study the relatively unresearched field of occupational health and safety policy-making processes for small and junior mines (SJM). The purpose of this research was to study the efficacy of the Mine Health and Safety (MHS) policy process for the small and junior mining (SJM) sector from 1994 to 2001 and add to the research capacity in this field. Research mainly found that inadequate policy communication and lack of participation by the weak SJM policy coalitions had primarily led to policy disintegration. One of the main recommendations of the research report is that an effective national SJM association should be established. Further, fundamental research is urgently recommended to study which philosophy between Risk Management and the Precautionary Principle should underpin the appropriate health and safety policy alternative for SJM.