EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MINING LEGISLATION IN ENHANCING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The mining sector is a critical component of Pakistan’s economy and serves as an important source of employment in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). However, the industry continues to face serious occupational health and safety (OHS) challenges due to inadequate enforcement of mining regulations, outdated mining practices, limited technological adoption, and insufficient regulatory oversight. This study evaluates the effectiveness of mining legislation and its implementation in improving occupational safety and health within the mining sector of KP, Pakistan. A mixed-method research approach was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Information was gathered through structured questionnaires, online surveys, field observations, and interviews involving 340 mine workers and 22 mine inspectors from 30 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that the mining workforce is predominantly young, with a large proportion of workers possessing limited formal education and belonging to low-income socioeconomic groups. Nearly half of the workers were found to be illiterate, while most were employed in frontline mining activities. These conditions reduce workers’ ability to understand safety instructions, regulations, and hazard warnings, thereby increasing their exposure to occupational risks. Furthermore, production-based payment systems encourage workers to prioritize output over safety, often leading to unsafe practices and non-compliance with established regulations. The study found that existing mining legislation, including the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mines Safety, Inspection and Regulation Act, has contributed positively to improving workplace safety and provided a useful framework for regulating mining activities. However, significant deficiencies remain in the practical implementation of these laws. A shortage of inspectors, limited field inspections, inadequate documentation of violations, insufficient training opportunities, and weak enforcement mechanisms continue to hinder effective compliance. Field observations further revealed poor use of personal protective equipment (PPE), reliance on manual mining methods, and inadequate adherence to safety standards despite the existence of regulatory requirements. The quality of legal proceedings and compensation is generally viewed as satisfactory, but the success rate of prosecutions remained relatively low, reducing the deterrent effect of regulatory actions. In addition, a substantial proportion of safety violations were not formally documented, limiting the ability of regulatory authorities to monitor trends and implement corrective measures effectively. Overall, the study concludes that while the legislative framework governing occupational health and safety in KP’s mining sector is generally adequate, its effectiveness is constrained by weaknesses in implementation and enforcement. To improve mine safety performance, the study recommends increasing the number of mine inspectors, strengthening inspection and monitoring systems, enhancing training programs for both workers and inspectors, improving accident reporting and violation-recording mechanisms, adopting modern safety technologies, and enforcing stricter legal action against non-compliant operators. Effective implementation of these measures would contribute to safer working conditions, lower accident rates, improved worker welfare, and the sustainable development of Pakistan’s mining industry.