Africana Periodical Literature 
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| Title: | 'Talking rocks': pit sense amongst South African miners |
| Authors: | Leger, Jean Mothibeli, Monyaola |
| Year: | 1988 |
| Periodical: | Labour, Capital and Society |
| Volume: | 21 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Pages: | 222-237 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | South Africa |
| Subject: | mine accidents |
| Abstract: | The major cause of occupational deaths in South African mines remains accidents involving falls of rock. There is evidence that many rockfall accidents are preceded by warning signals. The authors investigate the knowledge of South African miners about precursors to rockfalls, the industrial conflict that 'pit sense' generates, and the potential for greater worker participation in safety issues that may result if pit sense was recognized as valid knowledge. One hundred and seventy-eight miners were interviewed about pit sense as part of a general review of safety in South African mines. The sample was drawn from four gold mines, a chrome mine, a colliery and a diamond mine. The interviewees' descriptions of precursors to rockfalls were found to have much in common with those of British colliers. Recognition of black miners' tacit skills, however, is at odds with the perception of them as unskilled workers, together with racist stereotypes, authoritarian management styles, and the division of management along racial lines. Cognizance of pit sense implies greater worker control over how production takes place. At the same time, its recognition is necessary if management is to reduce conflict in the workplace and gain the cooperation of labour. Notes, ref., sum. in French. |