“You'll Be Fired if You Refuse” - Human Rights Watch

the wearing of PPE (including those for workers undertaking different jobs, as well as
visitors) are set out in the company’s “Safety Regulations.” To date, the company has not
received any objection from Zambia’s Mines Safety Department with regards to our
system of PPE distribution.
Chambishi Copper Smelter has in place a system of conducting meetings and interviews
with workers. Meetings are routinely held once a month between all mine representatives
and the management; here, workers express their views on relevant company systems and
management practices. The general manager himself currently attends these meetings.
Previously, any issue related to the distribution of PPE has been taken seriously and
would be investigated. For example, Chambishi Copper Smelter would immediately
make adjustments and improvements if there is a problem of an inappropriate PPE
distribution system.
All workers must wear the appropriate PPE when in the mines, and this is subject to
random inspections by safety officers. Those not wearing PPE will be penalized by the
company (this extends to all workers). Chambishi Copper Smelter has explicit processes
for workers to file requests for the replacement of, and for their collection of, PPE that
has been damaged or lost in production areas. These are implemented across all work
units, which also ensures that there is no conflict between these processes and the most
minimum requirements on wearing PPE in the workplace.
Chambishi Copper Smelter regularly sends workers for silicosis check-ups, as required
by MSD.
Chambishi Copper Smelter has hot metal allowances in areas of high temperature.
There is a clinic within the company to care for emergency patients, and there is also
ambulance transfer available for patients in the event of major emergencies.
There are plans to provide first aid training for all mine workers. The professional
trainers from the company’s training center will develop training programs and arrange
for training to take place. Upon completion of training, workers can sit for tests by the
Zambia Mines Rescue Association to obtain a certificate of competency. Every year, the
company also organizes and selects workers to participate in the mines rescue
competition held by the Zambia Mines Rescue Association . The departments also
provide first-aid kids according to requirements.
D. Sino-Metals
On the issue of reporting of accidents: Sino-Metals has neither the practice of deliberately
underreporting accidents to the Mines Safety Department, nor the practice of preventing
Zambian personnel from reporting accidents.
Sino-Metals has a department dedicated to safety management, whereby full-time safety
management officers are employed for safety, environmental protection, fire fighting,
quality control, measurement, and training in the company. Martin, the most seniorranking
Zambian employee in the company, is in charge of safety and environmental
protection, and is also the assistant to the general manager. For all company accidents,
107 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | NOVEMBER 2011