Mock accident tests response

THABAZIMBI – Kumba Iron Ore mine in Thabazimbi, tested their off-site emergency procedure on Tuesday, 2 October 2007. The main objectives of the exercise were to: assess the effectiveness and relevance of the mine’s emergency response, assess if resources are adequate to deal with emergencies, measure response times for all relevant authorities and stakeholders in emergency situations, improve communications between transport companies, emergency services and other authorities and to assess how best we can integrate resources with external stakeholders. To achieve these objectives, a planned mock-up exercise was conducted where a bakkie supposedly had a head on collision with a Tanker. In this mock accident chemicals were supposedly spilled, 17 people injured and 2 persons trapped in a mine bakkie. To achieve maximum responsiveness, information about this exercise was limited to very few stakeholders. The key stakeholders involved were: Kumba Iron Ore, Thabazimbi Mine, Curamed Hospital, Thabazimbi Hospital, the local Municipality, Thabazimbi Crisis Control and Total. The identified gaps will be evaluated on Tuesday, 16 October 2007.