Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)

Over the past 20 years, 1 212 persons were involved in accidents relating to conveyor belt installations. Of these persons, 133 were fatally injured, 1 079 seriously injured and three disabled. Because of these accidents the Chief Inspector of Mines identified conveyor belt installation as an area requiring statutory regulation. A tripartite task group, with members chosen from the regions where conveyor belt installation are used, was established under the auspices of the Mining Regulation Advisory Committee (MRAC) to investigate the most appropriate means of regulating conveyor belt installations. After research was done on these accidents, on relevant South African and International Standards, on SIMRAC projects and having regard to the nature of the risks identified in a hazard identification and risk assessment process, it was decided that regulations and a guideline for a mandatory Code of Practice (COP) would be the most appropriate means of regulating conveyor belt installations.