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Unnatural Deaths in South African Platinum Miners, 1992–2008

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  • Megan S C Lim
  • Jill Murray
  • Robert J Dowdeswell
  • Judith R Glynn
  • Pam Sonnenberg

Abstract

Background: The mortality rate from unnatural deaths for South Africa is nearly double the world average. Reliable data are limited by inaccurate and incomplete ascertainment of specific causes of unnatural death. This study describes trends in causes of unnatural death between 1992 and 2008 in a cohort of South African miners. Methodology/Principal Findings: The study used routinely-collected retrospective data with cause of death determined from multiple sources including the mine's human resources database, medical records, death registration, and autopsy. Cause-specific mortality rates and Poisson regression coefficients were calculated by calendar year and age group. The cohort included 40,043 men. One quarter of all 2937 deaths were from unnatural causes (n = 805). Causes of unnatural deaths were road traffic accidents 38% (109/100,000 py), homicides 30% (88/100,000 py), occupational injuries 17% (50/100,000 py), suicides 8% (24/100,000 py), and other accidents 6% (19/100,000 py). Rates of unnatural deaths declined by 2% (95%CI -4%,-1%) per year over the study period, driven by declining rates of road traffic and other accidents. The rate of occupational injury mortality did not change significantly over time (-2% per year, 95%CI -5%,+2%). Unnatural deaths were less frequent in this cohort of workers than in the South African population (IRR 0.89, 95%CI 0.82–0.95), particularly homicides (IRR 0.48, 95%CI 0.42–0.55). Conclusions/Significance: Unnatural deaths were a common cause of preventable and premature death in this cohort of miners. While unnatural death rates declined between 1992 and 2008, occupational fatalities remained at a high level. Evidence-based prevention strategies to address these avoidable deaths are urgently needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Megan S C Lim & Jill Murray & Robert J Dowdeswell & Judith R Glynn & Pam Sonnenberg, 2011. "Unnatural Deaths in South African Platinum Miners, 1992–2008," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(9), pages 1-6, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0022807
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022807
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gilbert, Leah, 1996. "Urban violence and health--South Africa 1995," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 43(5), pages 873-886, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Livhuwani Muthelo & Tebogo Maria Mothiba & Nancy Rambelani Malema & Masenyani Oupa Mbombi & Peter Modupi Mphekgwana, 2022. "Exploring Occupational Health and Safety Standards Compliance in the South African Mining Industry, Limpopo Province, Using Principal Component Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Kerry S. Wilson & Tahira Kootbodien & Nisha Naicker, 2020. "Excess Mortality Due to External Causes in Women in the South African Mining Industry: 2013–2015," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-12, March.

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