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Mineworkers' wellbeing imperative to development plan
Within the South African context, mining remains a major contributor to the gross domestic product (GDP) and, as a major source of employment, the mining industry has the potential to leverage investments in the health of its workforce to realise improved productivity.
Image source: Getty/Gallo
With large numbers of employees within the mining industry becoming ill or incapacitated each year due to lifestyle conditions and or occupational injuries, access to intuitive healthcare cover can go a long way towards improving productivity in the workforce and managing associated risks both in the workplace and offsite. Offsite risks are too frequently brought back to the workplace in some form of impairment reducing the ability to work.
Experience in the mining industry indicates that the greatest burdens to the health of workers are often preventable or manageable, however the underlying causes need to be effectively addressed in order to make a meaningful and sustained difference to overall worker productivity.
While most mines have their own healthcare programmes in place, high rates of illness and chronic disease among mineworkers have created the need for additional support and wellness services to keep the workforce healthy and productive.
Holistic approach
“What is required is a holistic approach; a comprehensive disease management programme that can assist valued staff members with chronic conditions to remain compliant with their prescribed medication and are empowered with the information they need to keep themselves healthy. In addition, mental health and wellbeing is increasingly being recognised as a significant factor in job performance,” Snyman explains.
“Such an approach, encompassing occupational health, preventative and curative care, as well as productivity and wellbeing including absenteeism management, not only mitigates risk for employers, it can also prevent more costly problems developing in future”.
“There are considerable advantages to having a single point of contact to integrate and support health and wellbeing initiatives among employees of all levels on an ongoing basis.”
With reduced levels of absenteeism and healthy workers tending to be more engaged at work, productivity improves. In addition, health and wellness related causes of staff attrition are reduced, thereby saving on costs associated with recruitment and training of new employees.
