<\/p>\n
\u201cAll classes of reportable injuries increased year-on-year, except near-misses and serious injuries. The frequency of near-miss incidents declined from 325 in 2022 to 254 in 2023, translating into a downturn of 21.8 percent,\u201d Dr. Koney revealed.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the \u2018Annual Inter-Mines First-Aid and Safety Competition\u2019 hosted by Asante Gold Chirano Limited, Dr. Koney observed that fatalities spiked by 600 percent.<\/p>\n
However, the Chamber of Mines boss also noted that the frequency of serious injuries \u2013 which involve injuries that lead to loss of a shift for more than 14 days \u2013 declined by 34.6 percent to 17 in 2023 from 26 in 2022.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, to address these growing safety concerns the Ghana Chamber of Mines has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving safety preparedness.<\/p>\n
One key measure is the Safety Webinar Series, which has attracted widespread participation from members and contractors across the industry. The chamber is also partnering with St. John\u2019s Ambulance Brigade, leveraging its expertise to boost emergency response capabilities.<\/p>\n
The mining sector remains a crucial contributor to the country\u2019s economy, therefore it is important to ensure a safe and healthy working environment and safe communities.<\/p>\n
For his part, General Manager-Asante Gold Chirano Ltd., Ing Alfred Asante Yamoah, noted that: \u201cIncluding community teams reinforces the mining industry\u2019s commitment to improving a lot of host communities and equipping everyone with first-aid knowledge because emergencies can happen anywhere\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Chamber of Mines admonishes that safety is not only a regulatory requirement but also a moral responsibility. Thus, the chamber also calls on all members to encourage contractor participation in the Safety Webinar initiative to ensure they stay up-to-date with the latest safety practices and protocols.<\/p>\n
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