They should serve as a reminder to HR leaders that health and safety are of the utmost importance.
The recent spate of deaths at Sibanye-Stillwater’s operations have called the company’s health and safety processes into question. According to reports, 21 workers have died this year already, with six of those occurring this month alone. The impact of these deaths has been significant for the company, with the share price plummeting and the company facing widespread condemnation from all corners of society. There is now also the matter of a potential class-action law that has been filed by US-based law firms against Sibanye on behalf of shareholders to recover their losses because, as US-based law firm Bernstein Liebhard put in a statement, the company failed to disclose that “its company culture places short-term profits over safety”.
There are many dangerous professions in the world, but one that is most well known for its risks is mining and that is why it is so important to have processes in place that to identify the risks and have remedy controls and precautionary measures in place.
Sibanye’s experience should serve as a reminder to all organisations that health and safety are of the utmost importance, particularly in industries where there are fatal risks.
Almost all businesses need a health and safety manual. This document would be the basis for the course of action that staff and employees need to follow in cases of emergency, or even just during normal daily operations to ensure their welfare and that of their customers. Because, whenever an employee joins an organisation, there is an implied trust in the organisation that it will uphold their faith and always look after their welfare.
