Case study

Harmony Gold Mining Company, South Africa

Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd. (Harmony) stands as South Africa’s largest gold producer. Established in 1950, the company operates gold mining ventures in South Africa, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Beyond its commitment to sustainable environmental practices in mining, Harmony prioritizes the health and well-being of its workforce.

Like other industries such as construction, mining workers are frequently exposed to airborne dust particles. Despite protective measures, inhalation of these particles can occur, leading some workers to develop pneumoconiosis, also known as “dust lung disease.” This occupational lung condition is classified as a notifiable disease under health regulations.

Worker protection through ILO screening standards

To mitigate occupational health risks, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has established universal screening standards for specific occupational groups. Harmony adheres to these standards by providing its employees with regular medical examinations and chest x-rays to facilitate early detection of lung diseases. Given Harmony’s extensive operations across 10 mining sites, the company sought an effective system to deliver consistent and comprehensive medical care for its workers via IMAGE´s long term partner AXIM.

The need for an optimized monitoring workflow

With thousands of workers requiring regular screening, the process must be efficient and seamless. Medical check-ups are scheduled at regular intervals, with a mandatory requirement to document every examination.

Challenges in diagnosis and documentation

Diagnosis

Traditionally, diagnosing interstitial lung disease involved comparing workers' chest x-rays to reference images on film, which could be cumbersome and less precise.

Documentation

Historically, documentation relied on paper forms – a time-intensive and error-prone process. Even with digital advancements, the complexity of ILO-compliant reports makes them difficult to manage using standard Radiology Information Systems (RIS) or Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS).

IMAGE's solution for Harmony

To address these challenges, IMAGE Information Systems, a software manufacturer based in Rostock, developed an innovative solution leveraging its highly customizable iQ-SYSTEM PACS. This system integrates image processing, storage, archiving, and distribution functionalities with built-in tools for digital comparison of chest x-rays against ILO reference images. A web-based editor enables ILO-compliant report documentation, streamlining the process of recording findings digitally. Additionally, the system automates the transfer of results to electronic medical record systems. By implementing this solution, Harmony has achieved a fast and efficient screening process, allowing occupational disease specialists to complete ILO forms accurately and in compliance with standards – whether on-site or remotely.

Impact and benefits

IMAGE’s and AXIM´s contribution to Harmony’s workflow have facilitated the early detection of occupational diseases, playing a crucial role in preventing long-term health damage to workers. The system not only ensures better care for employees but also demonstrates Harmony’s commitment to advancing workplace health and safety.

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