Tegnologie en gesondheid: myntering op die Witwatersrandse goudmyne, 1886-1920

Abstract

Miners' phthisis was the most prevalent and most dreaded industrial disease on the gold mines of the Witwatersrand during the period from 1886 until 1920. There is a clear connection between the rising incidence in miners' phthisis and the use of modem technology such as mechanical rock drills. The drills caused a large amount of dust and thus made underground mining operations more dangerous. New technology was, however, also used to prevent dust and consequently contain the incidence of miners' phthisis. Up to 1920 these efforts were only partially successful because neither the state nor the mining industry had a clear health and technology policy.