Mining solutions manufacturer 3M’s Live Life Breathe campaign intensified last month, when the company presented its tuberculosis (TB) eradication message to the Women in Mining South Africa (WIMSA) organisation – an organisation which 3M believes represents “South Africa’s industrial heart”.

WIMSA visited the 3M premises on April 19 for a site tour aimed at creating awareness of 3M’s product and innovation offering, specifically its respiratory protection offering, which can be used to assist in the prevention of TB in the mining, construction and industrial segments.

3M Personal Safety Division application development engineer Indrani Naidoo noted that statistics from a 2016 Department of Mineral Resources report titled ‘Mine Health and Safety inspectorate’ showed a rate of 900 TB cases for every 100 000 people.

She stated that, as more and more women were entering the mining industry, the need for appropriate (in terms of respirator type) and fitting (in terms facial and/or bone structures) protection continued to be one of the challenges they faced in the industry.

“Mineworkers are at a higher risk of contracting TB, owing to prolonged exposure to silica dust, poor living conditions and high HIV prevalence in mining communities. These working conditions are especially conducive to the spread of an airborne disease like TB, so it’s very important that women in mining – as well as their male colleagues – understand how to protect themselves,” Naidoo explained.

“It is critical that workers and officials . . . understand the importance of achieving a proper seal around the face. If the seal is not achieved or the incorrect size or model of respirator is chosen, the wearer can still become infected,” she stressed, adding that 3M’s research ensured that its products were designed “with the full range of human physiognomy in mind”.

Naidoo noted that disposable respirators were a means of protecting oneself, because they offered a physical barrier to TB-causing bacteria. However, she emphasised that respirators had to be properly fitted to each individual if they were to work efficiently.

“Mining and construction are two of the industries most affected by TB. It’s vital that all miners and construction workers understand the importance of wearing proper respirators, and ensuring they fit properly,” Naidoo stated.

Meanwhile, geologist Dr Tania Marshall addressed WIMSA members on professionalism, competence and professional reporting practices. She highlighted the importance of enhancing personal credibility by keeping abreast of developments in a particular profession, participating in continuing professional development programmes, and defining – and remaining true to – a set of values and ethical principles.

Marshall touched on the dangers of complacency, the importance of industry bodies and disciplinary processes (for both public citizens and industry professionals), and explained the various South African Mineral Reporting Codes – what they entail and why and how they are used.

She concluded that an affiliation with an industry or professional body did not automatically denote competence, but stressed that such an affiliation ensured that members met the minimum technical requirements of their profession, while imposing a set of values, thereby enhancing their credibility.