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Occupational risks and safety protocols in mining activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic

02 de Julho de 2020

Mineiros com roupas de proteção na mina

In mining the productive structure of the activities presupposes a continuous process with little flexibility for unplanned stoppages, at the risk of degradation of equipment, physical facilities, high resumption costs, collapse of slopes, ceilings and walls of underground mines and risks of environmental damage.

Taking into account the structure of the mining activity and the potential lack of fundamental inputs, both for the response to COVID-19 and for the recovery of the economy after the end of the pandemic, governments have recognised the essentiality of the activity.

Brazil is no different. Mining has beenincluded as an essential activity, especially considering its fundamental role in Brazil's response to the health emergency and in supplying essential inputs for the re-establishment of industrial activities.

Despite being considered an essential service, the activity had to readjust in order to minimise the risks of COVID-19 contagion. Companies in the sector have therefore opted to reduce their tasks to the bare essential, reducing their teams in production units and establishing safe practices for their employees.

Mineiros em um túnel

Even in the absence of official safety plans and protocols established by the bodies that manage mining activities in Brazil, the organisation and exchange of experiences between players in the sector is fundamental for generating efficient practices that guarantee safety for workers and the community in general.

With this in mind, we've prepared content that brings together the various practices and protocols adopted by mining companies, with the aim ofsharing positive actions that can help companies face the major difficulties observed in the current scenario.

Health and safety in the field:

The sector, which already operated with various safety and hygiene protocols, had to adopt stricter measures due to the pandemic, with significant changes in the routines of the production units:

  • Reduction of the workforce, including administrative sectors, adopting the home office;
  • Information and guidance on prevention and procedures;
  • Distribution of prevention kits;
  • Use of masks, changing them every two hours or so;
  • Reorganisation of canteens, with tables and chairs set back from safety distances;
  • An increase in the supply of hand sanitiser on company premises, including at entrances and in restaurants. Also an increase in the number of soap dispensers for hand washing;
  • More frequent sanitisation of communal areas, means of transport, etc;
  • Limiting the number of passengers travelling internally between the entrance and the actual workplace;
  • Measuring workers' body temperature inside the facilities;
  • Carrying out rapid tests and medical follow-up;
  • RT-PCR testing for professionals visiting the facilities and quarantine until the test results are released;
  • Allowing people over 60 and/or with a history of illness to work from home;

Home office and the role of leadership in the pandemic

Mining companies have already established teleworking or home office for those working in the administrative and operations support sectors. In this scenario, it is also important for managers to adopt practices for monitoring and organising work with employees:

  • Adapting to different forms of communication, via messaging apps, meetings and video calls;
  • Creating channels for employees to express their concerns and provide feedback;
  • Keeping close to employees, cherishing culture and well-being;
  • Check-ins and virtual chats to encourage collaboration;
  • Order (drivers): establishing priorities, planning and schedules.

Caring for people and communities

In addition to adapting production, it is important for companies to adopt practices and commitments to the communities where they operate, taking on an important role in supporting the municipalities in which they operate.

Organisations must seek to maintain their activities safely and through a comprehensive health and prevention plan, protecting employees, boosting the economy and supporting communities through initiatives such as:

  • Donations and creating opportunities for income generation;
  • Educational campaigns, financial and personnel support, personal protective equipment for health teams, respirators, COVID-19 test kits, thermometers;

In the current scenario, there is no simplistic solution to the problems and impacts generated by COVID-19. For the mining sector to continue operating as an essential activity, companies must adopt strict health and safety protocols, following the best control practices to protect their employees and providing important support to communities in practice.

 

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