Objective:
To prevent TB in the mining sector by reducing occupational risk for all mineworkers across the 10 countries participating in the TIMS programme.

Activities implemented by Health Focus supported the ten SADC countries in exploring and documenting their legislative and regulatory frameworks for occupational health and safety as well as TB and silicosis control with a focus on working conditions in the mining sector. In order to achieve the objective of reducing occupational health risks in mining, the countries must address regulatory gaps and adopt appropriate occupational health and safety systems and structures that effectively minimize risk factors.

Within this context, a model and generic toolkit was developed that allows the adoption of leading practice in silica dust control through a stepwise participatory process ensuring top leadership buy-in and action by multidisciplinary teams (engineers, occupational health and safety practitioners). This existing model and generic toolkit allows for adaptation to different environments and country contexts and combines technical and behavioural measures to reduce the incidence of silica dust exposure. Health Focus technically prepared and assisted roll-out of the toolkit out in the South African region.

Content:
The Global Fund has allocated funding for a three-year programme on TB in Mining in the SADC countries to Wits Health Consortium (WHC), which will ensure interventions to reduce TB in the mining sector across and within the 10 countries.