Tucta, Osha urge mining firms to embrace technology in workplaces
Tucta president Tumaini Nyamhokya (left) receives a gift from Geita Gold Mining Ltd senior officer for social and economic development, Ruth Mharagi, during a visit to the company’s booth at the Occupational Safety and Health Authority Osha) exhibition in Arusha. PHOTOS | COURTESY
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- GGML also uses clear signage and road markings to remind everyone of the speed limits and provides driver training to equip its operators with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate safely, according to him.
Arusha. The Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (Tucta) and the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (Osha) have encouraged mining companies to adopt technology to help them easily comply with occupational health and safety regulations.
The heads of the two institutions who visited the Osha exhibitions that coincide with World Health and Safety at Work Day said technology has the opportunity to facilitate compliance.
Citing an example of Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML), which displayed some of its mining technologies at the exhibitions, they said other companies should emulate GGML to protect their employees from accidents.
Chairman of the Osha Advisory Board, Dr Adelhelm Meru, said the displayed technologies showed how the companies could improve occupational health and safety in the mining sector.
Tucta president, Mr Tumaini Nyamhokya, said technology makes work safer and more comfortable for workers and their families.
“I hope senior leaders will visit the GGML pavilion to see these technologies, which are specially designed to support health and safety in the workplace,” he said. The complex operations at GGML involve heavy machinery, trucks and other vehicles. One of the technologies on display was the ProLaser Speed Gun.
It helps to effectively control vehicle speeds and minimise accidents, according to the company’s safety coordinator, Mr El-cid Walter Marealle, who demonstrated the technology to visitors.
“By monitoring vehicle speed, GGML can help drivers adhere to speed limits. This, in turn, contributes to safer operations.
The data collected by the ProLaser Speed Gun also allows GGML to identify areas where speeding is a problem and develop targeted interventions to address the issue,” he said.
The speed monitor is only one component of the company’s health and safety measures for the movement of heavy machinery and vehicles.
GGML also uses clear signage and road markings to remind everyone of the speed limits and provides driver training to equip its operators with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate safely, according to him.
