Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)NoticesGuidance Note on Medico-Legal Investigations of Mine DeathsPart A : The Guidance Note7. Background Information |
The mining industry experiences various challenges with regards to the handling of investigations of deaths.
These are (amongst others):
| (a) | Uncertainties regarding the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, mentioned in item 9 below, in an event of death. |
| (b) | A significant proportion of deaths in the mining industry is complex and requires specialists' skills when performing medico-legal post mortem examinations. |
| (c) | Sudden deaths have been reported, where there is no associated accident or occurrence. |
| (d) | The manner in which the post-mortem process is handled by: |
| • | the employers; and |
| • | the State's Forensic Pathology Service (FPS). |
| (e) | Timeous processing and submission of a post mortem examination report to facilitate the conclusion of the MHSI investigations in terms of section 11(5) and 60(1) of the MHSA. |
It is important that all stakeholders co-operate in the collection of any relevant information or evidence to ensure that all aspects relevant to a death within the mining industry are considered during an investigation.