• One of the functions of the Director General of the Department of Labour is to “record statistics and information regarding the occurrence and causes of accidents and occupational diseases, and the award of benefits” in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, No. 130 of 1993.
• Section 49 of the MHSA provides that one of the functions of the Chief Inspector of Mines is to “collect, process and distribute information relating to health and safety” which includes safety statistics.
• The Chief Inspector of Mines has complied with this function.
• The latest statistics compiled and published by the Department of Labour, relate to the year 1999.

Latest Statistics Of Department Of Labour (Compensation Commissioner) Rate Of Risk Of Fatality In The Workplace/Various Industries (Per Thousand Persons);
Source: Department Of Labour

Accident Frequency Rates: Various Industries (Per Million Hours Of Exposure)

Note:

Correctness of figures from which above rates have been calculated are not necessarily correct. In respect of mining the assumption seems to be that 89,363 persons were employed in that industry in 1999, where the correct figure is 437,028. The correct frequency rate in respect of mining may therefore be materially more favourable.

*Contact crime includes seven categories of serious crime or violent crime against the person of victims.  These categories are murder; all sexual offences (rape and indecent assault); assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm; common assault; and robbery

1. Department of Mineral Resources casualty classification by commodity, 2006 to 2008; and Mining Contribution to the National economy 1996 to 2005, Department of Minerals and Energy, http://www.dme.gov.za/pdfs/minerals/R59.PDF, <accessed on 31 May 2010>
2. South African Medical Research Council, Cause of death profile, 1996, pp 4-5.