For Anglo American, the safety and health of our people is our overwhelming priority. When the COVID-19 pandemic first started to rear its head, we took immediate measures to mitigate its impact, and we continue to build on them as we learn more about the disease.
We understand that we all have a role to play in keeping South Africa and its economy going as we navigate our way through this overwhelming challenge. We also know that the country’s future success relies on all of us taking collective responsibility for doing what needs to be done; to do everything we can to preserve both lives and livelihoods.
While different and unprecedented, this is not our first pandemic – we’ve been proactively dealing with HIV/AIDS for over three decades. The arrival of COVID-19 has only strengthened our resolve to support our employees’ wellness wherever possible, through safety measures both inside our mines, and beyond the mine gates.
We’ve provided economic relief to many in our host communities, but we’ve also implemented stringent health and hygiene measures across the group. Our ongoing COVID-19 intervention includes workplace controls that are in place across all of our operations, to ensure that all of our people and their families are as safe as we can keep them.
1. Self-monitoring and reporting
Our employees will be taking responsibility for their part in COVID-19 prevention through self-monitoring for symptoms, self-screening, disclosing any contact with infected individuals, self-quarantining when appropriate, ensuring they are inoculated against flu, and making use of the correct medical channels if they suspect they’ve been infected.
2. Education and communication
We’re continuously educating employees on the spread of the virus and its symptoms and controls through signage and training, and we also offer mental health support where required.
3. Screening and testing
Entrances at all our operations and offices now require temperature screening and a COVID-19 questionnaire through our WeCare/Engage App. Employees also have access to COVID-19 testing facilities, PCR testing, COVID-19 rapid tests, telehealth/telemedicine access, and all our sites follow a standard operating procedure for testing if screening raises any red flags.
4. Sanitary cordon
We’ve put access restrictions into place for non-site people and unscheduled employees. All visitors and contractors are to be approved by the GM of each business unit, and we’ve limited movement of employees to and from each site, overtime, and call-outs.
5. Social distancing
Social distancing of one metre or more is mandatory everywhere, including transport, underground cages, site gatherings and meetings, seating arrangements and even emergencies.
6. Hygiene/Cleaning Measures
Hand washing facilities and hand sanitiser are freely available, and we are promoting good personal hygiene practices, as well as regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, equipment, facilities and transportation. Cleaning and disinfecting protocols have been beefed up everywhere, and we provide specialist personal protection equipment (PPE) for health staff and first responders.
7. De-densification of workplaces
Wherever possible, we’ve reduced the number of employees present at work and made alternative working arrangements. We also have a vulnerable persons/high-risk group register and are making use of virtual platforms and tools wherever possible.
8. Respiratory Protection
When social distancing can’t be achieved, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) must be used, so we’re allocating RPE based on risk and have increased our stock levels. We’re also providing the necessary training on using RPE, as well as its correct disposal, to ensure RPE and PPE waste responsibly.
9. Covid-19 contact tracing
We’ve implemented a procedure to identify and trace potential individuals at risk from exposure to suspected/confirmed/probable COVID-19 cases during the infectious period through interventions such as a close contacts register, close contacts in quarantine and self-monitoring.
Our roots in South Africa run deep. We are as much a part of this country and its people, as they are a part of us, and we know that if we work together, we can navigate all of the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brings with it and emerge stronger, and united by a common purpose. #WeAreInThisTogether