The overall aim of this study is to contribute to the solution of a problem currently faced by mining companies of ineffective LFI. It is undisputable fact that improved knowledge in the LFI strategy would lead to reduction in occupational injuries and fatalities among mining workers in Zambia. For this reason, this study is performed with the intention: to identify barriers to LFI from incident in the Zambian mining industry, to identify significant underlying conditions that set up the barriers to the LFI strategy, to formulate proposals for improving the LFI strategy in order to prevent recurrence of incidents and pre-empt new ones.
According to the mining accident statistics from Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development, the mining industry recorded 282 fatalities in the last thirteen (13) years. On average twenty (20) miners are fatally injured while executing their work every year while non-fatal reportable injuries recorded are above one hundred and fifty (150) during the same period. See Appendix 1 and 2 for details. This fatal accident rate is unacceptable and merits some pragmatic efforts to reverse the trend more especially that most of the fatal injuries are caused by the same known hazards.
The consequences of these incidents are very devastating at both family and national level. The social, human and economic cost of these incidents is immense given a high unemployment and poverty levels in the country. The consequence of the fatalities is very devastating to the surviving members of the family as they face dreadful future without their breadwinners. In some cases, so devastating that surviving innocent children fall out of school due to lack of sponsorship.
Table of Contents
- Chapter One: Introduction
- 1.1 Study Background
- 1.2 Problem Definition
- 1.3 Motivation
- 1.4 Research Aim
- 1.5 Research Questions
- 1.6 Structure of the Report
- Chapter Two: Literature Review
- 2.1 Background
- 2.2 Introduction
- 2.2.1 Applicable laws for Mining Companies in Zambia
- 2.2.2 Mine Accident Statistics
- 2.3 Incident/Accident models and investigation
- 2.4 Learning from Incidents
- 2.4.1 Case Study
- Chapter Three: Methodology
- 3.1 Research design
- 3.2 Description of study sites
- 3.3 Questionnaire Development
- 3.4 Pilot study
- 3.5 Sample Size and sampling technique
- 3.6 Survey Questionnaire Response
- Chapter Four: Discussion
- 4.1 Internal Consistency of the Surveys
- 4.2 In which step of the LFI process are major barriers located?
- 4.3 Which Steps Are Formally Organised?
- 4.4 The Variances Between the Properly organised LFI Process and the Performance in Practice
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to identify barriers to learning from incidents (LFI) within the Zambian mining industry and understand their underlying causes. The goal is to propose strategies for improvement to prevent future incidents and fatalities.
- Barriers to effective LFI in the Zambian mining industry.
- Underlying causes of these barriers.
- The effectiveness of current LFI processes across different Zambian mining companies.
- The role of safety management systems in facilitating or hindering LFI.
- Recommendations for improving LFI processes in the Zambian mining industry.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the research by highlighting the high rates of fatalities and injuries in the Zambian mining industry despite existing safety measures. It defines the problem of ineffective learning from incidents (LFI), stating the research aim to identify barriers and underlying causes hindering effective LFI. The chapter introduces the research questions guiding the study and outlines the report's structure. The high economic importance of the mining sector in Zambia is emphasized, along with the devastating social and economic consequences of workplace accidents.
Chapter Two: Literature Review: This chapter reviews existing literature on learning from incidents (LFI), accident causation models (including the domino theory and Swiss cheese model), and relevant legislation in the Zambian mining industry. It presents accident statistics from the Mines Safety Department, revealing a concerning pattern of repeat incidents caused by similar hazards. The chapter also examines incident investigation methods and discusses challenges to effective LFI, such as underreporting and a lack of organizational learning. A case study illustrating the failure to learn from past incidents and the importance of addressing latent rather than just active failures is presented.
Chapter Three: Methodology: This chapter details the research methodology employed, justifying the choice of a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative). It describes the study sites (three large Zambian mining companies), the development of survey questionnaires for safety practitioners and general staff, the pilot study conducted to refine the questionnaires, and the sampling technique used. The chapter explains the data collection methods, including questionnaires, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews, and discusses the response rate achieved.
Keywords
Learning from incidents (LFI), Zambian mining industry, occupational safety, accident investigation, safety management systems, barriers to learning, root causes, qualitative research, quantitative research, mixed methods, safety culture, organizational learning, incident reporting, accident prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Zambian Mining Industry Safety
What is the overall focus of this research?
This research aims to identify barriers to learning from incidents (LFI) within the Zambian mining industry and understand their underlying causes. The ultimate goal is to propose strategies for improvement to prevent future incidents and fatalities, focusing on the effectiveness of current LFI processes and the role of safety management systems.
What are the key themes explored in this study?
Key themes include barriers to effective LFI in the Zambian mining industry; underlying causes of these barriers; the effectiveness of current LFI processes across different Zambian mining companies; the role of safety management systems in facilitating or hindering LFI; and recommendations for improving LFI processes in the Zambian mining industry.
What is covered in each chapter?
Chapter One (Introduction): Sets the context by highlighting high fatality and injury rates in Zambian mining, defines the problem of ineffective LFI, states the research aim, introduces research questions, and outlines the report's structure. It emphasizes the economic importance of the mining sector and the consequences of workplace accidents.
Chapter Two (Literature Review): Reviews existing literature on LFI, accident causation models, and Zambian mining legislation. Presents accident statistics, examines incident investigation methods, and discusses challenges to effective LFI (underreporting, lack of organizational learning). Includes a case study illustrating failures in LFI.
Chapter Three (Methodology): Details the mixed-methods research approach (qualitative and quantitative), describes study sites (three large Zambian mining companies), questionnaire development, pilot study, sampling technique, and data collection methods (questionnaires, focus groups, interviews). Discusses the response rate.
Chapter Four (Discussion): This chapter analyzes the collected data, exploring internal consistency of surveys, identifying major barriers in the LFI process, examining formally organized steps, and comparing the ideal LFI process to practical performance. It likely presents findings related to the research questions and offers recommendations.
What methodology was used in this research?
The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. This involved surveys, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews, conducted at three large Zambian mining companies. A pilot study was conducted to refine the questionnaires before the main data collection phase.
What are the key findings (likely, based on the provided outline)?
The key findings would likely focus on identifying specific barriers to effective LFI within the Zambian mining industry, pinpointing the stages of the LFI process where these barriers are most prevalent, and determining the variances between the ideal LFI process and the reality in practice. The findings would likely inform recommendations for improvement.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Learning from incidents (LFI), Zambian mining industry, occupational safety, accident investigation, safety management systems, barriers to learning, root causes, qualitative research, quantitative research, mixed methods, safety culture, organizational learning, incident reporting, accident prevention.
For whom is this research intended?
This research is intended for academic use, focusing on the analysis of themes related to safety in the Zambian mining industry. The information is suitable for researchers, academics, and professionals interested in occupational safety, accident investigation, and organizational learning within the mining sector.
- Citation du texte
- Jonas Mwango (Auteur), 2019, The Zambian Mining Industry. What are the Barriers to Learn from Incidents?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1143415
