Overview of the MOSH Leading Practice Adoption Process
The MOSH Leading Practice Adoption Process is a structured, industry-endorsed framework designed to support the identification, validation and sustainable implementation of health and safety improvements in the South African mining sector. It promotes a systematic, evidence-based approach that considers both technical effectiveness and socio-organisational dynamics, recognising that behavioural change is essential for lasting impact.
Phase 1: Identification
This phase involves identifying a new, high-impact way of working, selected and ratified by industry stakeholders. The goal is to ensure that the chosen practice has the potential to significantly improve health and safety outcomes and can be realistically adopted across operations.
The identification process includes:
- Sourcing existing high-impact practices from single or multiple mines
- Drawing on expert knowledge from both local and international sources
- Prioritising practices linked to high-risk operational activities, identified through hazard models
During this stage, the MOSH adoption team collaborates closely with industry representatives through structured workshops, meetings and reviews of recent projects and research. A draft list of potential leading practices is compiled and verified through data collection and, where necessary, physical site visits. Typically, two to four candidate practices are selected for further development.
Phase 2: Documentation
In this phase, the selected practice is comprehensively documented to ensure it is technically sound, clearly understood and ready for implementation. This includes:
- Developing a technical description, including reliability, supportability and operator competence requirements
- Assessing the behavioural and cultural dimensions of the source mine
- Documenting risks, controls and outcomes
Creating implementation tools such as:
- Revised procedures and training materials
- Risk assessments and stakeholder maps
- Communication materials and adoption guides
The documentation phase lays the groundwork for consistent and scalable application across mines.
Phase 3: Demonstration
This phase involves piloting the practice at a representative mine site. The purpose is to test, refine and validate the adoption tools and ensure they are fit for wider use. Activities include:
- Applying and verifying the tools
- Engaging regulatory bodies and organised labour
- Planning and executing practice launches
Phase 4: Widespread Adoption
The final phase ensures full-scale, sustainable implementation across all relevant mining operations. It is divided into:
- Preparation: Capacity-building, training and stakeholder alignment
- Execution: Step-by-step rollout, monitoring and verification
This rigorous process supports measurable, lasting improvements in mine safety and aligns with the industry’s goal of Zero Harm.