The Zimplats safety is anchored on the three broad pillars of behaviour (people), practices (system) and physical environment (technological) interventions of our safety strategic plan. We continue to pursue our ultimate goal, to produce sustainably in a zero harm environment.
The Group believes that total wellness is essential in order for our people to enjoy a healthy life and to be meaningfully productive at work. The Group therefore seeks to reinforce the Group’s wellness programmes in order to enhance employee total wellbeing and productivity in line with goal number three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
There were 2 cases of NIHL recorded in the year under review. Awareness talks on hearing conservation were offered to all employees and contractors who come for pre-employment, annual, periodic, and pre-placement examinations. Continuous improvement in engineering and other controls is constantly being pursued to mitigate against the risks of NIHL.
Monitoring of employees and contractors exposed to lead continued with a total of 92 employees and contractors
being tested this year. No cases of abnormal lead levels were identified during the year.
Screening of employees for fitness to work continuedthroughout the year. There was also constant engagement with National Social Security Authority (NSSA) MedicalBureau for timeous processing and issuance of certificates of fitness.
Screening of suspected cases and contacts was carried out during the year. Identified cases were reported to the Ministry of Health and Child Care and commenced on treatment per the Ministry’s guidelines. Reports were simultaneously made to the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) for compensation purposes and statistics. Contact tracing includes employees in the same work team as the index case.
Mhondoro-Ngezi District remains in pre malaria elimination phase. Zimplats complements the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s efforts in the eradication of malaria by conducting annual indoor residual spraying of all company houses and villages. Out of the 153 suspected cases, 5 tested positive for malaria and these were all imported cases.
The Zimplats medical services department has engaged the services of Zimbabwe Aids Prevention and Support
Organisation (ZAPSO) to carry out VCT. The number of clients who underwent VCT in FY2017 went up by 55% after engaging the new business partner.
A new Zimplats Wellness Policy was crafted to reflect the Group’s evolved thrust which now focuses on total
wellness as opposed to merely focusing on HIV/Aids. The wellness policy seeks to enhance and protect the health
and wellbeing of all employees, their families and the surrounding communities, addressing occupational, noncommunicable diseases and the work environment. Two hundred wellness champions were re-trained to align them
to the requirements of the new wellness policy.
In line with the national thrust towards housing the Group remains committed to ensuring that all employees live in decent accommodation. Due to funding challenges, the Group’s housing delivery programme was slower than desired. Low cost housing solutions have been pursued and it is anticipated that housing delivery under the home ownership scheme will recommence in the short to medium term.