A history of silicosis on the Witwatersrand Gold Mines, 1910-1946

D.Phil. (History)Silicosis as an occupational disease, has plagued the gold mining industry since its inception in 1886. This thesis attempts to describe the impact that silicosis had on the labour force of that industry from 1910 to 1946 and how all three participants, i.e. the state, industry and mine- workers became involved in attempting to combat this vital and dangerous problem, which was draining the health of a large and important sector of white and black workers within the South African community. This study focuses on two main themes, namely the cause and prevention of silicosis, which involves the development and use of advanced technology applied to mining operations and the compensation awarded to silicotic beneficiaries and their dependents. The disease not only became a health problem, but rapidly erupted into a sensitively politicised and emotional issue, which forms an important part of this thesis, involving all three parties. Another complex issue revolves around the question of contributions towards compensation to silicotic miners and who was liable for payment. This central problem only emerged after 1910, but continued throughout the period under discussion until 1946. In the process it became a highly controversial matter on which the state, industry and labour held widely divergent viewpoints. Also analysed are the attitudes and policies of the state and the mines towards white and black silicotics, the social responsibilities extended to each labour group and the effect racial relationships then current in South Africa had on the health problem as a whole