Abstract:
South African mines have an unacceptable occupational health and safety (OHS) record. Of particular concern
are the categories of workers who are most vulnerable to accidents and disease and who generally have the
least formal education or training, those termed elementary workers (unskilled) and machinery operators and
drivers (semi-skilled). This article questions the role of adult basic education and training (ABET) as a primary
driver of mine OHS, with specific reference to these categories of workers. The article concludes that ABET has
positive and generalised effects in the workplace, that may include OHS awareness, but that the scale of ABET
impact on mine OHS is negligible. Additional and alternative OHS training initiatives are required to provide the
least educated workers with comprehensive preparation and training for the hazards and risks of underground
mining.
