Integrated open source mine workers compensation system

Abstract

This article describes the Mine Workers Compensation System developed by the CSIR and Molepe Consulting for the South African Department of Health. Mining activities increase the risk of certain occupational lung diseases. South African legislation governs the monitoring, surveillance and evaluation of miners for possible compensation due to occupational lung diseases. This article describes the various problems currently affecting the compensation process for current and former mineworkers suffering from these diseases (the compensation process is driven by independent and loose standing units interacting via article-based folders resulting in poor service delivery). The article describes the iterative and incremental methodology used in developing an integrated solution and contrasts this methodology with the typical waterfall approach (which very seldom works) widely used in other large software development projects. The integrated solution developed by the CSIR based on open-source software and concepts is presented. This solution is based on an innovative state based task engine and role-based access control. Finally the article presents the experiences gained, the challenges experienced and lessons learned through using open-source software in solving this challenging problem.