Aspasa 18001 - new auditing system in Southern Africa
Following a review of aspects of the quarrying industry and the association’s members, the Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) has decided to focus on improving health and safety as well as improving environmental compliance by members.The association has implemented a new auditing system, the Aspasa 18001 Initiating Health, Safety Education (ISHE) audit to replace its previous Health and Safety South Africa programme.
"We believe the fatalities and injuries on quarries in Southern Africa are preventable. To assist in achieving this goal this advanced audit has been developed, as Aspasa believes that successful health and safety management goes beyond the requirements of legislation, and instead comes from (sic) adopting a proactive approach to safety at quarries," Aspasa director Nico Pienaar tells Mining Weekly.
The audit, which has specifically been developed for the quarrying industry, includes all the requirements of the Mine Health Safety Act, the Occupational Health & Safety Act and ISO standards.
As of 2008, results will be calculated in percentages and valued according to a number of merit shields ranging from one to five, with one shield representing a percentage of 50 per cent to 59 per cent and five shields representing 90 per cent and above.
Five shields will mean that an operation is approaching the top award, Showplace, which will be awarded to an all-round achieving operation. The system will also cater for a supervision programme to ensure that the standards are maintained.
