The Mine Health and Safety Council has tasked the CSIR to investigate the ratio of South African National Accreditation System-accredited laboratories in relation to the number of mines serviced. The South African mining industry has experienced challenges with the turnaround times on tests undertaken in compliance with occupational hygiene legislation.

The Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act 29 of 1996), as amended, requires the employer to take measurements on occupational hygiene exposure and submit reports on the outcome to the department.

The research methodology includes gathering information through literature reviews, industry wide surveys and engagements with industry subject matter experts.

The findings will provide a better understanding of the best practice methodologies that the mining’s occupational hygiene laboratories can implement to improve occupational health in the South African mining industry.