Zimbabwe’s mining and construction sectors are critical to the country’s economy, but they are facing serious health and safety challenges that affect worker welfare, productivity, and sustainability. They have to cope up with significant challenges in ensuring the health and safety of their workers, particularly within the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector and the informal construction industry.

Health and Safety Challenges Facing by Mining Sector

• Hazardous working conditions: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is notorious for :
• exposure to dust, chemicals like mercury and cyanide, noise, and vibration
• poor ventilation, over-exertion, confined workplaces
• inadequate equipment
• Use of mercury and other toxic chemicals
• Unsupported shafts prone to collapse
• Overcrowded sites with no emergency access
• Lack of employer investment in training and
• Language barriers and low literacy rates

Impact: Frequent fatal accidents, long-term health effects, and environmental contamination, risks of respiratory illnesses, silicosis, musculoskeletal disorders, and other health issues due to exposure to hazardous substances and strenuous work. Silicosis deaths are a particular concern in the mining community.

Health and Safety Challenges Facing by Construction Sector

• The construction sector faces various hazards including falls, trips, and slips from uneven surfaces and cluttered areas
• Falling objects pose significant risks. Noise exposure from machinery can cause hearing loss
• Workers are exposed to vibrations from tools and dust from materials, hazardous materials like asbestos and lead-based paints, solvents, and adhesives in demolition waste pose risks for lung cancer, musculoskeletal and respiratory illnesses like asthma and silicosis  and neurological damage
• Economic Constraints and Awareness Gaps and
• Weak Regulatory Enforcement: While frameworks exist, including the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] and Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15].  Corruption or bribery in some regulatory agencies. Lack of penalties that deter repeat offenders.

Impact: Many companies bypass safety standards without consequence, exposing workers to preventable risks.

Shared Challenges by Both Sectors

The health and safety challenges in Zimbabwe’s mining and construction sectors, along with contextual examples, underlying causes, and potential mitigation strategies:

1. Weak Regulatory Enforcement and Oversight:

While a legal framework for occupational safety and health exists, including the Zimbabwe National Occupational Safety and Health Policy (ZNOSHP), implementation and enforcement are often inadequate.

Root Causes:

• Underfunded inspectorates (e.g., Department of Occupational Safety and Health).
• Outdated legislation—many laws date back to colonial-era standards.
• Limited staffing: Fewer than needed safety inspectors for the entire country.
• Political influence and corruption can hinder regulatory actions.

Example: In 2022, an inspection report revealed that many small-scale gold mines in Mashonaland operated with no valid environmental or safety licenses, yet remained active.

Mitigation:

• Revise and update the Factories and Works Act and Mines and Minerals Act.
• Increase funding and independence for safety inspectors.
• Encourage whistleblower protections to report unsafe practices.

2. Informality, Labour Exploitation, and Lack of Compensation:

The large informal sectors in both industries present significant challenges for regulating working conditions and ensuring worker protection.

Facts:

• Up to 70% of workers in small-scale mining are informal.
• Most have no access to compensation, insurance, or leave.
• Labour laws often exclude casual workers.

Impact:

• Zero accountability in case of injury.
• Low morale and high risk-taking behavior.

Mitigation:

• Promote the formalization of small enterprises.
• Introduce micro-insurance for informal workers.
• Improve union access and worker representation.

3. Outdated Poorly Maintained Equipment and Technology

Issues:

• Many mining companies use decades-old hoists and generators
• Construction sites often reuse bent scaffolding and rusty equipment
• No structured maintenance schedules

Risk: Mechanical failure is one of the leading causes of crushing and fall injuries.

Mitigation:

• Promote access to leasing schemes or equipment cooperatives.
• Mandatory maintenance logs and periodic equipment inspections.

4. Inadequate Use of Personal Protective Equipment

Both sectors still rely heavily on old, poorly maintained machinery and tools due to Lack of capital investment and difficulties in accessing spare parts.

Observations:

• Some employers provide only hard hats and ignore respirators, gloves, or boots
• PPE is not enforced, even when provided
• Informal sector workers cannot afford basic safety gear

Real-Life Risk: Increased exposure to silica dust in granite quarries near Mutoko has led to cases of silicosis and TB among workers.

Impact: High risk of mechanical failure, electrocution, and physical injuries.

Image Source:  mineralseducationcoalition.org

Mitigation:

• Establish PPE subsidies or public-private procurement schemes.
• Enforce penalties for failure to provide adequate gear.
• Conduct random audits at worksites.

5. Unsafe Practices in Small-Scale and Artisanal Mining

Common Practices: 

• Shafts dug without reinforcements, leading to collapses
• Use of mercury without protective gear
• Mining near water sources, risking flooding and drowning.

Reported Incidents: In 2021, over 20 miners were trapped and died in Mazowe and Bindura due to shaft collapses after heavy rains.

Mitigation:

• Establish “model mining villages” with standardized designs and practices.
• Encourage cooperatives to pool resources for safer infrastructure.
• Provide mobile training and safety clinics.

6. Lack of Awareness and Education

• Insufficient awareness and lack of Structured Safety Training Programs
• risks among both workers and employers contribute to unsafe practices.

Root Causes:

• Safety training is not always mandatory for construction and mining jobs
• Many workers are hired on a casual or daily wage basis
• skipping induction and
• Inadequate collaboration between industry and vocational institutions.

Consequences: 

• Unsafe use of explosives in mines
• Accidents involving scaffolding collapses in urban construction sites.

Mitigation:

• Introduce industry-wide safety certification
• Partner with institutions like Ken Institute or local technical colleges to deliver training.
• Include visual and local-language materials for low-literacy workers.

7. Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Challenges: 

• Most sites lack even a basic first-aid kit, fire extinguishers, or evacuation plans or trained personnel
• Emergency response is slow, especially in rural mining areas
• Fire risks from fuel storage go unaddressed.

Impact: Delayed medical response in remote areas. Even preventable injuries become fatal due to lack of timely intervention.

Real Example: A fire at a Harare construction site in 2023 took over 40 minutes for a response due to confusion and no clear evacuation plan.

Mitigation:

• Train site-based safety captains.
• Mandate and inspect site-specific emergency response plans.
• Partner with local clinics to improve on-site health care support.

8. Environmental Hazards and Health Risks Affecting Workers’ Health

• Common Hazards:
• Dust and silica exposure
• Lead and mercury pollution in artisanal mining
• Noise from compressors and jackhammers
• Contaminated water sources.

Long-Term Impact:

• Chronic respiratory diseases
• Waterborne diseases due to toxic waste seepag
• community health issues, and deteriorating worker productivity.

Mitigation:

• Enforce dust suppression methods (e.g., water sprays).
• Monitor air and water quality regularly.
• Provide routine health screening for exposed workers.

9. Labour Rights and Informal Employment

Informalities:

• Many workers are informal, without contracts or insurance
• Weak unions and lack of representation and
• Long hours with minimal breaks.

Impact: Fatigue-related accidents, low morale, and lack of accountability.

Recommendations

✅ Strengthen enforcement of existing safety laws.
✅ Mandatory safety training programs, including in local languages.
✅ Public-private partnerships for affordable PPE supply chains.
✅ Promote formalization of small-scale mining and construction.
✅ Investment in modern equipment and safety infrastructure.
✅ Community awareness campaigns on health and environmental safety.

Conclusion

Addressing Health and Safety Challenges in Zimbabwe’s Mining and Construction Sectors,

requires a multi-faceted approach involving:

• Formalization and Regulation:Adapting policies and regulations coupled with strong enforcement mechanisms, is crucial.
• Capacity Building and Training: Investing in training programs for workers and managers and proper use of PPE is essential.
• Access to Healthcare and Social Protection:Miners need access to healthcare services, health insurance, and social security coverage.
• Promoting Sustainable Practices:Encouraging and supporting environmentally friendly mining and construction practices is vital.
• Stakeholder Collaboration:A coordinated approach involving government agencies, industry associations, communities, and civil society organizations is necessary to develop and implement effective solutions.
• Investing in Infrastructure and Technology:Allocating resources for improved ventilation, safety equipment, and monitoring tools can enhance working conditions.
• Enhancing Transparency and Accountability:Strengthening monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and holding companies accountable for their health, safety, and environmental performance should be mandatory

To develop positive working relationships with your employees, following the Safety Regulations, you will develop faith in your employees about you and your organization. Consequently, they do a good job for you because they want to.

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