Statistics presented by the Department of Labour at the end of 2011 indicated that hazardous chemical substances (HCS) are the most common cause of occupational diseases and chemical related incidents in the chemical and metallurgical industries.

Hazardous chemical substances and diseases

Environmental, occupational health, hygiene and safety  involve dealing with environmental, health and safety hazards and risk within the micro (work environment) and macro environments (communities and external environments) by applying risk management concepts. These are regulated in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, the Environmental Conservation Act, the Hazardous Substances Act, the Health Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and incorporated regulations and standards such as SANS. Non-compliance to these statutory requirements can lead to environmental pollution, accidents, incidents, disabling injuries and the prevalence of occupational diseases, which can cost the country billions in compensation claims a year. Non-compliance with legislation may result in prohibition notices (stop work), contravention notices, penalties and fines.

Health and safety in the workplace

Increased global awareness of hygiene in the workplace prompted the formation of the human impact environmental testing specialist company, Specialised Environmental Services. The company is one of 29 fully accredited Approved Inspectorate Authority (AIA) companies in southern Africa, focusing on people and the impact of the environment on their health and safety by ensuring a comprehensive solution for ensuring employees and clients are exposed to a healthy and safe environment, compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act No 85 of 1993, says managing director, Dr Dave Bernhardi.

Bernhardi says today occupational health and safety is not only on noise and lights, but the environment itself. “This is evidenced by the return of tuberculosis and the advent of swine and avian flu, as well as diseases such as legionella, which many have heard about but don’t understand the implications of. Testing for hazardous biological agents through swab, air, water sampling and hard surface testing is becoming important,” he says. The company also provides an integrated health risk assessment service for health risks associated with the exposure to hazardous chemical substances. This assessment forms an integral part of any employer’s Human Resource Protection Strategy and drives operational readiness to ensure the health, safety and well-being of employees.

UNDERSTANDING THE REGULATIONS

The Occupational Health and safety Act Section 8

Establishing, as far as is reasonably practicable, what hazards and risks to the health or safety of persons are attached to any work which is performed, any article or substance which is produced, processed, used, handled, stored or transported, and any plant or machinery which is used in his business, and he shall further establish what precautionary measures should be taken with respect to such work, article, substance, plant or machinery in order to protect the health and safety of persons, and he shall provide the necessary means to apply such precautionary measures.

HCS Regulation 5

Assessment of potential exposure:

(1)  An employer or self-employed person shall after consultation with the relevant health and safety representative or relevant health and safety committee, cause an immediate assessment to be made and thereafter at intervals not exceeding two years, to determine if any employee may be exposed by any route of intake.

(2)  An employer shall inform the relevant health and safety representative or relevant health and safety committee in writing of the arrangements made for the assessment contemplated in sub Regulation (1), give them reasonable time to comment and ensure that the results of the assessment are made available to the relevant representative or committee who may comment thereon.

(3)  When making the assessment, the employer or self-employed person shall keep a record of the assessment and take into account such matters as: (a)    the HCS to which an employee may be exposed (b)   what effects the HCS may have on an employee (c)    where the HCS may be present and in what physical form it is likely to be (d)   the route of intake by which and the extent to which an employee can be exposed; and (e)   the nature of the work, process and any reasonable deterioration in, or failure of, any control measures.

Asbestos Regulation 7

(1)  An employer or self-employed person shall cause: (a)    their undertaking to be assessed within six months after the commencement of these regulations, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding two years, to determine if any person may be exposed to asbestos (b)   the assessment results contemplated in paragraph (a) to be recorded as required by Regulation 16.

Lead Regulation 6

(1)  An employer or self-employed person shall cause: (a)    their undertaking to be assessed within six months after the commencement of these regulations and thereafter at intervals not exceeding two years, to determine if any person may be exposed to lead (b)   their undertaking to be assessed within six months after the commencement of these regulations and thereafter at intervals not exceeding two years, to determine if any person may be exposed to lead.

The risk assessment process

In many companies, the responsibilities for Environmental Hygiene and Occupational Health and Safety are segmented, resulting in a lack of communication and therefore poor hygiene and safety standards. Specialised Environmental Services enters into strategic partnerships with its clients to implement project management and support at their sites. Full risk assessments are conducted by occupational hygienists and environmental practitioners, and services include: hard surface swabs, air quality monitoring (ventilation and gas), water sampling, sound testing, light testing, solutions consulting, staff training and education, and the management of the testing and solution process. State-of-the- art equipment is used to conduct assessments and all procedures undertaken are done as per standard legislation.

The first logical step is hazard identification whereby hazards and risks are identified and anticipated. Secondly, the risks need to be evaluated by scientifically quantifying the occupational and environmental hazards and risks; and thirdly, to decide on the tolerability of the risks by applying a risk rating, decide on the effectiveness of current control measures in place, and decide on the appropriate controls for the risk.

On implementation of the mentioned controls, their efficacy must be monitored regularly by conducting control measure efficacy assessments and routine occupational hygiene monitoring as prescribed by methods, standards and legislation.

Findings are documented and a report with recommendations and corrective actions is presented by the action committee. These can highlight the need for increased health and safety in the work environment, to comply with hygiene standards or to measure up to ISO requirements. Training and education ensures knowledge transfer and buy-in from all employees, from shop-floor level to senior management.

The ongoing working relationship offers a cost effective alternative to annual hygiene surveys and ensures that regular re-evaluation and monitoring of the corrective procedures take place. “Companies will be put under increasing pressure to present accredited test results when confronted by charges from consumers, who have becoming increasingly aware of their rights since the introduction of the Consumer Protection Act,” Bernhardi explains. “The Department of Labour is also aggressively pushing to ensure hygiene standards are adhered to. Although certain commercial and industrial sectors will be under the spotlight, any company employing staff and providing services to clients or consumers is liable to maintain health and safety standards.”