Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2018.12.002

Contributors to Fatigue of Mine Workers in the South African Gold and Platinum Sector  

Pelders, Jodi (Natural Resources and the Environment, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR))
Nelson, Gill (School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand)
Publication Information
Safety and Health at Work / v.10, no.2, 2019 , pp. 188-195 More about this Journal
Abstract
Background: Mine workers in South Africa face challenges relating to poor health and safety, including fatigue risks, and poor socioeconomic and living conditions. Fatigue results in impaired mental and physical performance. The aim of this study was to assess contributors to fatigue of mine workers in South Africa. Methods: Data collection took place at four gold mines and one platinum mine in South Africa. A total of 21 focus groups were held with individuals in management, union representatives, and mine workers, and 564 questionnaires were completed by mine workers to gather information about fatigue and potential contributors to fatigue at these mines. Results: Qualitatively (through focus groups), fatigue was attributed to extended working hours, harsh working conditions, high workloads, production pressure, and resource constraints, along with aspects relating to demographic and socioeconomic factors, living conditions, lifestyle, health, and wellness. Greater fatigue was significantly associated with younger age, indebtedness, a lack of exercise, poor nutrition, less sleep, increased alcohol use, poor self-reported health, more sick leave, higher stress, and lower job satisfaction. Conclusion: The aim of the study was achieved; numerous work-, sociodemographic-, lifestyle-, and wellness-related factors were linked to fatigue in the participating mine workers. Contributors to fatigue should be addressed to improve health, safety, and sustainability in the industry.
Keywords
Environment and public health; Fatigue; Mining; Occupational stress; Risk evaluation and mitigation;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Jing-Gang Z, Lei W. Research on the factors of fatigue of coal mine workers and its control measures. Res J Appl Sci Eng Technol 2013;6:1508-12.   DOI
2 Akerstedt T. Psychosocial stress and impaired sleep. Scand J Work Environ Health 2006;32:493-501.   DOI
3 Dahlgren A, Kecklund G, Akerstedt T. Different levels of work-related stress and the effects on sleep, fatigue and cortisol. Scand J Work Environ Health 2005;31:277-85.   DOI
4 Republic of South Africa. Mineral and petroleum resources development Amendment Act. Act No. 49 of 2008. Department of Minerals and Energy.
5 Republic of South Africa. Codes of good practice for the South African minerals industry. Government Gazette, 29 April 2009, No. 32167. Department of Minerals and Energy.
6 Republic of South Africa. Revised social and labour plan guidelines. Department of Mineral Resources; October 2010.
7 Shaw A. Guideline on fatigue management. Shaw Idea Pty Ltd; July 2003.
8 Republic of South Africa. Guideline for the compilation of a mandatory Code of Practice for risk-based fatigue management at mines. Government Gazette, 19 December 2014, No. 38339. Department of Mineral Resources.
9 Schutte PC. Fatigue risk management: charting a path to a safer workplace. The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy; 2009. p. 245-50. Hard Rock Safety Conference.
10 Office of Rail Regulation. Managing rail staff fatigue; January 2012.
11 Shen J, Barbera J, Shapiro CM. Distinguishing sleepiness and fatigue: focus on definition and measurement. Sleep Med Rev 2006;10:63-76.   DOI
12 Halvani G, Zare M, Hobobati H. The fatigue in workers of Iran Central Iron Ore Company in Yazd. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2009;22:19-26.
13 Hodgskiss J. Cumulative effects of living conditions and working conditions on the health, well-being, and work ability of nurses in grahamstown east and west. Master of Science in Human Kinetics and Ergonomics. Grahamstown: Rhodes University; 2009. 188 p.
14 Akerstedt T, Axelsson J, Lekander M, Orsini N, Kecklund G. Do sleep, stress, and illness explain daily variations in fatigue? A prospective study. J Psychosom Res 2014;76:280-5.   DOI
15 Galobardes B, Shaw M, Lawlor DA, Lynch JW, Smith GD. Indicators of socioeconomic position (part 1). J Epidemiol Community Health 2006;60:7-12.   DOI
16 Di Milia L, Smolensky MH, Costa G, Howarth HD, Ohayon MM, Philip P. Demographic factors, fatigue, and driving accidents: an examination of the published literature. Accid Anal Prev 2011;43:516-32.   DOI
17 Horrey WJ, Noy YI, Folkard S, Popkin SM, Howarth HD, Courtney TK. Research needs and opportunities for reducing the safety consequences of fatigue. Accid Anal Prev 2011;43:591-4.   DOI
18 NSW. Fatigue management plan: a practical guide to developing and implementing a fatigue management plan for the NSW mining and extractives industry; 2006. Available from: http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/resources/file/eb87fc08b727473/vwa_fatigue_handbook.
19 Schutte PC, Maldonado CC. Factors affecting driver alertness during the operations of haul trucks in the South African mining industry. CSIR Mining Technology; 2003. SIM 02 05 02.
20 Abu-Mourad T, Koutis A, Alegakis A, Markaki A, Jildeh C, Lionis C, Philalithis A. Self-reported health complaints in a primary care population living under stressful conditions in the Gaza strip, Palestine. Med Confl Suriv 2010;26:68-79.   DOI
21 American Psychological Association. Stress in the workplace: survey summary. Washington: Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program, Harris Interactive; 2011.
22 Samn SW, Perelli LP. Estimating aircrew fatigue: a technique with application to airlift operations. School of Aerospace Medicine Brooks Afb tx; 1982. No. SAM-TR-82-21.
23 Elo A-L, Leppanen A, Jakhola A. Validity of a single-item measure of stress symptoms. Scand J Work Environ Health 2003;29:444-51.   DOI
24 Littman AJ, White E, Satia JA, Bown DJ, Kristal AR. Reliability and validity of 2 single-item measures of psychological stress. Epidemiol 2006;17:398-403.   DOI
25 Nagy MS. Using a single-item approach to measure facet job satisfaction. J Occup Organ Psychol 2002;75:77-86.   DOI
26 Akerstedt T, Gillberg M. Subjective and objective sleepiness in active individuals. Int J Neurosci 1990;52:29-37.   DOI
27 Collinson MA. Striving against adversity: the dynamics of migration, health and poverty in rural South Africa. Glob Health Action 2010;3:5080.   DOI
28 Lee KI, Koval JJ. Determination of the best significance level in forward stepwise logistic regression. Commun Stat Simul Comput 1997;26:559-75.   DOI
29 Winwood PC, Winefield AH, Lushington K. Work-related fatigue and recovery: the contribution of age, domestic responsibilities and shiftwork. J Adv Nurs 2006;56:438-49.   DOI
30 Williams DR, Mohammed SA, Leavell J, Collins C. Race, socioeconomic status, and health: complexities, ongoing challenges, and research opportunities. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2010;1186:69-101.   DOI
31 Pelders J, Nelson G. Living conditions of mine workers from eight mines in South Africa. Dev South Afr 2018:1-18.
32 Lu Y. Test of the 'healthy migrant hypothesis': a longitudinal analysis of health selectivity of internal migration in Indonesia. Soc Sci Med 2008:1331-9.
33 Cronje F, Chenga S. Sustainable social development in the South African mining sector. Dev South Afr 2009;26:413-27.   DOI
34 Fauconnier CJ. Current challenges and opportunities in the South African mining industry. Cape Town: Coaltrans South Africa Conference; 2004.
35 Republic of South Africa. Housing and living conditions standard for the minerals industry. Government Gazette, 29 April 2009, No. 32166. Department of Minerals and Energy.
36 Republic of South Africa. Broad-based socio-economic empowerment charter for the South African mining industry. Act No. 53 of 2003. Department of Minerals and Energy.
37 Republic of South Africa. Mineral and petroleum resources development act. Act No. 28 of 2002. Department of Minerals and Energy.
38 Singh N. Weathering the "perfect storm" facing the mining sector. J South Afr Inst Min Metall 2017;117:223-9.   DOI
39 Hodgskiss JL, Edwards AL. Job strain in the South African mining industry. Occup Health S Afr 2013;19:4-8.
40 Chamber of Mines of South Africa. Mine SA. Facts and figures pocketbook; 2018; 2017. Available from: http://www.mineralscouncil.org.za/industrynews/publications/facts-and-figures/send/17-facts-and-figures/532-factsand-figures-2018.
41 Chamber of Mines of South Africa. Modernisation: towards the mine of tomorrow. Fact sheet 2017; 2017. Available from: http://www.chamberofmines.org.za/work/modernisation.
42 Deloitte. The future of mining in South Africa: innovation imperative; 2014. Available from: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/za/Documents/energy-resources/ZA_Mine_of_the_Future_06022015.pdf.
43 Dawson D, Fletcher A. A quantitative model of work-related fatigue: background and definition. Ergonomics 2001;44:144-63.   DOI
44 Ferguson SA, Baker AA, Lamond N, Kennaway DJ, Dawson D. Sleep in a live-in mining operation: the influence of start times and restricted non-work activities. Appl Ergon 2010;4:71-5.