Visible felt leadership programme promotes mine safety

Examples of Canyon Coal’s Monthly Health, Safety and Environmental topics

Menar’s Group Chief of Safety Johan Immelman points out that the mine’s Visible Felt Leadership (VFL) programme and regular Health and Safety campaigns have been instrumental in ensuring the mines have an excellent safety record as part of its aim to achieve the goal of zero harm. “Encouraging the team to identify hazards and come up with ways to address these potential hazards is very empowering. This encourages employees to take charge of their well-being and identify what is important to them,” states Johan

Mine managers have requested the VFLs and then assigned managers from different departments to go to other departments, to identify hazards. He explains that another fresh pair of eyes is always helpful in identifying issues, as at times people can become complacent. “Constructive criticism is important to build better structures. It's not the compliments, but the critiques that lead to overall improvements. This encourages people to want to do better. The management teams at Canyon Coal's operations have been doing VFL consistently which has helped identify and eliminate many risks,” Johan notes.

“We noticed that the Safety Health and Environment (SHE) have in fact been reinvigorated by the VFLs. They are actively seeking ways to improve health and safety standards. Leading from the front is important to ensuring safe work practices are carried out. Everything we do is centred around ensuring we achieve the goal of zero harm and that all mine employees return home safe and healthy every day,” he concludes.