By MARTIN MUSUNKA –

THE Kansanshi Mine site in Solwezi has recorded nine million fatality-free shifts, assistant general manager Meiring Burger has announced.
Mr Burger has further explained that it is the first time that Kansanshi Mine site has reached the nine million fatality-free shifts milestone and immediately sent a reminder to all workers and contractors that safety is the responsibility of everyone at the mine.
In his memorandum to all workers at Kansanshi Mine and First Quantum Minerals and Operations (FQMO) and contractors, Mr Burger said reaching nine million fatality-free shifts is a notable achievement for a site as large, diverse and complex as Kansanshi.
He said the accomplishment is a tangible result of the commitment shown to maintaining safe working practices in work places.
Mr Burger said the target at Kansanshi Mine remained zero fatality although it was a difficult challenge in view of the inherent risks in the work environment and the tasks performed.
“I wish to remind all employees and contractors that safety is not just for managers, safety officers or supervisors. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us. Safety should become part of what we do every day and should be practiced at all times,” Mr Burger’s memorandum dated April 20, 2015 reads in part.
In congratulating the workers, Mr Burger appealed to them to work towards maintaining a safe site by actively thinking about the risks on the job and work environment by taking personal responsibility for their safety.
Safety manager Braston Sichinsambwe said safety was the mining company’s number one priority in line with their safety motto of ‘No job is so important that it cannot be done safely’ and outlined various measures meant to achieve high standards of safety or maintain a safe workplace.
The safety measures such as alcohol and drug tests, safety communications and safety training programmes have contributed to an improved safety culture among employees which he said has led to the improved safety performance for the past two years since the last fatality in January 2013.
Mr Sichinsambwe said a better and improved safety culture of employees and contractors at Kansanshi Mine can also be attributed to the fact that the mine management and partners take safety as a collective responsibility.- Story courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.