A conceptual model of Adult Education and Occupational Health and Safety training of mineworkers in a Mining Company

Abstract

Education in South Africa is integral to the country's rebuilding, development and transformation process. Adult Education and Training provide access to numerous continued education and development platforms. On the other hand, South African mining is known for its shocking health and safety statistics. Unskilled workers in the industry have the lowest levels of education and are most vulnerable to accidents and fatalities. The general aim of the study is to conduct a theoretical study to determine if better planning and provision of Adult Education and Training and Occupational Health and Safety could reduce mine-related accidents and fatalities. It also aims to define the concept of ownership and responsibility in South Africa in general and in the mining sector specifically, to explore the concept of management and leadership to determine the most appropriate model for the Mining Company and assess the impact of enhanced communication on Occupational Health and Safety performances. The thesis concludes with the development of a conceptual model for Adult Education and Occupational Health and Safety training of mineworkers. A convenience sample of 522 responses was obtained from a survey conducted at a Gold and Platinum Mining Company. A total of 522 participants responded to the initial survey, resulting in a convenience sample used in its entirety for the present study.The first article revealed that the following training interventions, namely enablers and training methodologies, should be considered as future interventions to enhance better planning and provision of Adult Education and Training and Occupational Health and Safety to reduce mine-related accidents and fatalities. The modernisation of training strategies and interventions should place a reintroduced emphasis on enablers to bring about the necessary changes that will assist the Mining Company to stay viable, conform to legislations, develop their workforce, and to create a learning organisation and setting in which workers can grow and reach their full potential. The need to bolster a learning culture and break down learning obstacles is of utmost importance if the Mining company wants to reinvent the organisation and bring it into line with revised training strategies. The quality of training material, training facilities and competent facilitators are key strategic deliverables that will ensure the implementation of the proposed conceptual model.The second article corroborated that the Mining Company can gain from the practical application of certain basic concepts of ownership and responsibility as a contributor to more skilled employees and improved safety achievements by establishing higher, practical and measurable standards for compliance and behaviour. The responsibility for taking ownership of Adult Education and Occupational Health and Safety training practices and behaviours will require well-defined role classification and dissection of responsibilities to ensure that the Company adheres to legislation and that the workforce is accomplished and capable of performing their duties. The third article revealed that a mining company in South Africa must apply the principles of enhanced behavioural-based safety training with the addition of consequential thinking as a new training methodology and consequently to be included in developing new training material. The concepts of better management, direction and leadership of AE&T and Occupational Health and Safety practises and behaviours are according to the study deeply rooted in the revitalised focus on behaviour-based safety training and consequential thinking, with a renewed focus on hazard identification, risk assessment, health and safety practises, policies, mine standards and assessments. One major advantage of behavioural-based safety training is establishing a common language which is a necessary change to improve communication from fault finding to understanding the facts related to the risk. The fourth article confirmed that the effects of improved communication concerning the implementation of revised guidelines, norms, standards and information dissemination are of great importance to allow for more interaction between workers and stakeholders concerning AE&T and H&S training programs. The improved communications model should include the articulations of the method to be used in terms of the engagement process between employees and management on the matter of new learning material and the implementation of new technologies. The conceptions of a new and improved communication model should be clear and accepted by all stakeholders. An ongoing consultation process in terms of implementing new learning material and new technologies is proposed to ensure that employees are put at ease and not intimidated by the changes. The results for articles one to four provided a leading-edge conceptual model for Adult Education and Occupational Health and Safety Training of mineworkers in the Mining Company. The model's outcome can provide input for decision-making regarding the appropriate allocation of resources to implement the proposed model. The result also confirmed that better planning, provision, ownership, management, direction, leadership and communication of Adult Education and Occupational Health and Safety Training of mineworkers contribute to more literate employees and fewer fatalities. In conclusion, the model provided important information about how and through which means the objective can be achieved and act as a guideline for the implementation thereof.