Accidents, Injuries, and Safety among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe

Josephine Singo, John Bosco Isunju, Dingani Moyo, Stephan Bose-O’Reilly, Nadine Steckling-Muschack and Antony Mamuse
Additional contact information
Josephine Singo: Centre for International Health, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Leopoldstrasse 5, D-80802 Munich, Germany
John Bosco Isunju: Disease Control and Environmental Health Department, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda
Dingani Moyo: School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
Stephan Bose-O’Reilly: Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, D-80336 Munich, Germany
Nadine Steckling-Muschack: Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, D-80336 Munich, Germany
Antony Mamuse: Department of Geosciences, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, 263 Senga Road, Gweru P.O. Box 9055, Zimbabwe

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) employs 14–19 million people globally. There is limited research on accidents, injuries, and safety in Zimbabwe’s ASGM. This study investigates the prevalence of accidents and injuries, as well as the associated risks and existing safety practices. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among artisanal and small-scale gold miners. Data from 401 participants were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The prevalence of accidents and injuries was 35.0% and 25.7%. Accidents associated with experiencing injuries included mine collapses and underground trappings. The major injury risk factors were digging, blasting, being male, being 18–35 years old, crushing, and the underground transportation of workers and materials. Injuries were reported highest among the miners working 16 to 24 h per day. Participants had heard about personal protective equipment (PPE). There was training and routine inspections mainly on PPE use. Mine owners and supervisors were reported as responsible for OSH, which was mainly PPE use. Practices including the use of wire winch ropes and escape routes were rare. There was ignorance on underground mine shaft support. The mining regulations that had the potential to introduce comprehensive safety controls were not adaptable. We recommend applicable health and safety regulations for Zimbabwe’s ASGM.

Keywords: accidents; injuries; risk factors; control measures; safety; artisanal and small-scale gold miners; Zimbabwe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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