Citation

Eisner HS, Leger JP. J. Occup. Accid. 1988; 10(2): 141-160.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The "International Safety Rating" (ISR) system used by the Chamber of Mines of South Africa is reviewed critically. The system aims to (i) identify and set standards for the management work required to control injuries, and (ii) measure the performance of this work and award stars (1 to 5) based on 'audits'.Although labelled as "international" the ISR is not used widely in European and US mines. Despite glowing testimonials there is no substantially significant evidence that it has reduced injury and fatality rates by improving safety. The ISR covers some areas of mine safety to a high standard but coverage is not consistent. Certain areas are dealt with only in generalities and others neglected. The practicality of objectively and thoroughly auditing a mine is questioned given the system's long checklists, the great detail required by some questions and the limited number of auditing staff. While ostensibly high standards are set for scoring, more than eighty per cent of gold and coal mines have been awarded four or five stars. Recent disasters have highlighted inadequacies of the system. More generally, there is no correlation between star rating and either fatality or reportable injury rates. A danger of the scheme is the degree of complacency it appears to have engendered. Attempts to reduce South Africa's high underground fatality rates must first come to grips with this.