CONTENTSIn this issue, we wish HASLAC a very happy 20th birthday. Started 2 decades ago by Louis...

GAS SAFETY

Gas safety and compliance summit . . . . . . . . . . . .36

LPG - challenges and solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Installation of evaporative cooling system . . . . . . .37

Cover Story: DuPont™ Nomex® marks first50 years of enabling endless possibilities . . . . . . . . .4

Risk Sheet - Asbestos - a natural fibre . . . . . . . . . . .5

Important announcement on hearing protectionChange to hearing protection equipmentcertification markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Four steps to combat hearing loss: the silentepidemic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Brand of the century - uvex stands up tocomparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Water has its limitations - The alternativesolution to emergency decontamination . . . . . . . .42

New styles for the Rebel range of work boots -A trusted brand for more than a decade . . . . . . . .48

SAPEMA supports hearing-impaired children . . .19

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CONTENTS

March/April 2017 - Volume 77 Number 2

FEATURE ARTICLESRecognising intoxicated employees at the workplace and understanding its negative effects .12

Spending 3 years on assignment at DuPontSwitzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Alcohol and access control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Strengthening fire safety in Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Flirting with danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Lockout and tagout made simple . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Providing 2 decades of service to the industry . . . .32

A leader in OHS consulting and training . . . . . . .39

Ensure your church has a safety and securityemergency response plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Speedy resolutions to emergency situations . . . . . .43

IOSMMessage from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Draft ergonomics regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Workshop discusses the Occupational Certificate:Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner . . . .25

Pesticides in agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

ACHASMTuberculosis and the construction sector . . . . . . . .34

News from SAIOH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

Participating associations / organisations / institutes with National Safety and the Safety First Association

March/April 2017 National Safety www.safety1st.co.za 1

OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

Cover Picture: See page 4

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April is an important month for the occupational healthand safety practitioner, because on the 28th, ILO marksthe World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The aimbeing to promote the prevention of occupational accidentsand diseases globally. This campaign is aimed at raising theawareness of work related injuries, diseases and fatalities byfocusing international attention on these challenges, andon the emerging trends in the field of occupational safetyand health. In many parts of the world, nationalauthorities, trade unions, employers’ organisations andsafety and health practitioners organise activities tocelebrate the date. We in South Africa should follow thistrend.The end user of PPE in South Africa has become used toand educated about the SABS markings on certainproducts, such as hearing aid devices, but now, withchanges in the use of testing laboratories, the end user willhave to learn the meaning of new markings. An importantannouncement explains this on page 6. Our article “Hearing Loss - the silent epidemic”emphasises that because hearing loss happens slowly overtime, by the time this disability starts impacting on life, itis too late to reverse the symptoms. However, with theright protection, hearing loss caused by environmentalnoises can be avoided. Dr Bill Pomfret discusses security in churches - althoughhe does focus on places of worship, these problems can alsooccur at the workplace. Safety officers must ensure that

Editor’s Comment

2 www.safety1st.co.za National Safety March/April 2017

their organisations have a firearms policy, with teams trainedto handle such situations should they arise, as well as staffwho have the correct first aid training to be able to treatinjured personnel after an incident.In this issue you can also enjoy reading about Ajen Maharaj’s3 year assignment in Switzerland. And, Rob van Hemert’sexperience at Shell Refinery in Durban when a bitumencolumn blew its top is another enjoyable read.Alcohol consumption and drug abuse remain a societalproblem resulting in some workers being intoxicated whileat work. According to the regulations, neither alcohol nordrugs are allowed at the workplace. Although mostemployers are aware of the inherent dangers and may thinkthey have the situation under control, accidents are oftencaused by intoxicated workers. In reality, only with the righttesting equipment at the workplace can companies makesure that their workers are free of drugs and alcohol whenthey enter the workplace.

Claire Deacon explains in her article that pulmonarytuberculosis (PTB) is a communicable disease, and must betreated to stop the infection from spreading. In this issue, we wish HASLAC a very happy 20th birthday.Started 2 decades ago by Louis Taljaard, we have seen thiscompany grow from strength to strength, and we lookforward to celebrating its 20 years in service with its newand modern image.

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Copyright: 2017 Material appearing in this issue may not be reproduced without the permission ofthe editor or publishers in any form whatsoever. The Safety First Association is a non-profitmaking, privately supported, public service organisation which aims to prevent accidents bypromoting an awareness of accident situations as they exist in day-to-day living amongst membersof the community. The Publishers and Editors are not liable for any damages or loss incurred as aresult of any statement contained in this magazine. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracyin this publication, neither the Publishers nor Editors accept any responsibility for errors oromissions in the content and reserve the right to edit all contributions. The views expressed in thispublication are not necessarily those of the Publishers or Editors.

Editor: Debbie MyerProduction Editor: Lindsay MyerChairman: George BrowseVice Chairman: Leighton BennettMarketing & Subscriptions: Maureen SchwegmannAdmin Manager: Bruce SchwegmannCommittee members: Leighton Bennett

Stewart ShapiroWensley MisroleGeorge BrowseDebbie Myer

Subscriptions / Administration / Marketing / Promotions3 Kwartel Street Vorna Valley, PO Box 321 Halfway House 1685Tel: + 27 11 701-5054 Fax: 086 684 2664E-mmail: [email protected]

Advertising & Editorial Delinds Publications cc12 Delta Road, Blairgowrie, Randburg, PO Box 72366 Parkview 2122Tel: + 27 11 886-5985 Fax: +27 11 886-1332 Cell: + 27 83-266-6662 E-mmail: [email protected]

National Safety is published by the Safety First Association and isthe official journal of• The Institute of Safety Management (IOSM)• Southern African Protective Equipment Marketing Association

(SAPEMA)• Association of Construction Health and Safety Management

(ACHASM)

National Safety is supported by:• Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH)• South African Qualification and Certification Committee for

Gas (SAQCC GAS)

National Safety incorporates:• Occupational Safety and Health• Personal Protective Equipment• Corporate Risk Management• Occupational Hygiene• Gas Safety


•

DuPont Protection Solutions hasannounced that it is kicking off the50th anniversary of DuPont™Nomex®, an inherently heat- andflame-resistant fiber used to helpprovide protection to millions of peopleand critical processes worldwide.

NOMEX® NEVER QUIT™

A new brand platform, Nomex®Never Quit™, was developed tocoincide with the 50th anniversary.

Never Quit™ exemplifies the spirit ofthe heroes and innovators around the

world who rely on the unparalleledprotection of Nomex®, whileunderscoring the DuPont commitmentto continuous innovation.

NOMEX® BRAND

Nomex® brand fiber is used across adiverse range of applications, due to itsunique combination of flameprotection, durability and mobility.

Nomex® is used also in apparel wornby military pilots and combat vehiclecrew; auto racing drivers, pit crewmembers and track officials; and

DuPont™ Nomex® marks first 50 years of enabling endless possibilities

industrial workers atrisk from flash fire andelectric arc hazards.

In paper andpressboard

form, Nomex®addresses thediversedemands of

the electricalindustry.

Its inherent flameresistance combined

with high levels ofelectrical, chemical andmechanical integrity

make Nomex® ideallysuited for a broad range of electricalinsulation applications.

Manufacturers of transformers,generators, motors and other electricalequipment rely on the uniquecombination of Nomex® properties tohelp optimise performance, increasereliability and extend the service life oftheir own products.

Honeycomb composites made ofNomex® can be found in a wide rangeof aerospace applications - from aircraftcabin floors, overhead bins andbulkheads to landing gear doors,engine nacelles, helicopter rotor bladesand much more.

The inherent flame resistance,lightweight strength and durability ofhoneycomb composites made ofNomex® help address the stringentsafety standards and fuel efficiencyrequirements of commercial aircraft.

For further information, please contact:Dharmesh Lakmidas: 072 098 0791Tel:+27(11) 218 8686Email: [email protected]

COVER STORY


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Asbestos is a material with numerousqualities which was used on a massivescale before being shown to be highlytoxic. Although asbestos is now bannedin South Africa and other countries, itcan still be found in many buildingsand machines. The legacy of asbestos ishidden in various shapes and forms andwill remain with us for many years tocome, threatening lives at home and atwork.

Helping to keep workers in suchenvironments safe, protective coverallsmade of DuPont™ Tyvek® canprovide durable, comfortable androbust protection against asbestosfibres. Protecting workers from risksrelated to exposure to asbestos at work.

UNDERSTANDING THE DANGERS OFASBESTOS

Asbestos is the common name forseveral naturally occurring fibroussilicate minerals. Asbestos fibres arevery heat resistant and strong and wereused for many years in thermalinsulating materials such as laggingsand coatings, floor tiles, roofing,asbestos cement products, electricalinsulating materials as well as vehicleclutch and brake linings.

DUPONT™ TYVEK® - DURABLE ANDROBUST PROTECTION AGAINST FINEPARTICLES AND FIBRES

Protective coveralls made of DuPont™Tyvek® such as Tyvek® Classic Plusand Tyvek® Classic Xpert provide anexcellent barrier against airborneparticles (Type 5).

When comparing their barrierperformance with other Type 5 suitsmade of MPF (Microporous Film) and

SMS (Spunbond / Meltblown /Spunbond), the models made ofTyvek® show a significantly lowerAverage Total Inward Leakage(TILavg) according to EN ISO 13982-2* with an average value of lessthan 1%. The Type 5 product standardallows for an inward leakage of up to15% in 8 out of 10 suits tested.

CHOOSING APPROPRIATEPROTECTIVE CLOTHING

• High particle barrier (material,seams)

• Smooth surface to prevent particlesfrom adhering to the garment

• Tight fit at arm and leg openings(elasticated cuffs and ankles)

• Compatible with additional PPE(masks, goggles, gloves)

• Comfortable to wear, high freedomof movement

Need help finding and selectingchemical protective clothing?Contact: Loren Pearson: 082 377 6765 Tel: 01 218 8600 Email: [email protected]

Asbestos fibre

Risk Sheet

Asbestos - a natural fibre

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Advertorial


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SABS SOC the SANS/SABS Certification Authority notified South African manufacturers of hearing protectors which are Mark holders during 2015/2016that they were not able to renew SABS/SANSCertification marks of approval for hearing protectorsand would be withdrawn from the current holderseffective on date of expiry.

However, this does not mean that South African manufactured hearing protection is no longer tested orno longer safe to use.

On the contrary, South African manufactured hearingprotection will continue to enjoy safe and high standards,with manufacturers now getting their products tested atinternational ILAC accredited laboratories to ENstandards of approval.

EN Standards for hearing protection

EN 352-1 : 2002 Ear muffs

EN 352-2 : 2002 Ear plugs

EN 352-3 : 2002 Ear muffs attached to a safety helmet

EN 352-4 : 2002 Ear muffs attached to a safety helmet(Amended 2006)

EN 352-5 : 2002 Active noise reduction ear muffs

EN 352-6 : 2002 Ear muffs with electrical audio input

EN 352-7 : 2002 Level dependent ear plugs

EN 352-8 : 2002 Entertainment audio ear muffs

IMPORTANT Announcement on Hearing ProtectionChange to hearing protection equipment certification markings



•

An estimated 275 million people acrossthe globe can’t hear clearly all thesounds they love. These people sufferfrom hearing loss, which the WorldHealth Organization lists as thenumber one sensory disability in theworld.

Some people never had their hearing, asthey were born deaf, but with themajority, something happened alongthe way that took it from them.Infectious diseases like meningitis,measles, mumps and chronic earinfections, as well as head and earinjuries, and aging can all contribute tohearing loss.

But perhaps the most common cause isexcessive noise exposure. Noise can robpeople of their hearing. Whether it’s aone-time exposure to an intense,“impulse” sound, like gunfire, or byrepeated exposure to loud sounds overtime, like machinery at work.

The effects of hearing loss extend wellbeyond having to turn up thetelevision.

It strains a person’s ability tounderstand conversations, which cancause problems and misunderstandingsat work and at home.

Hearing loss also leads to isolation fromfamily, friends and the environment.

“The good news is that noise-inducedhearing loss is preventable,” says DrLaurie Wells, audiologist in 3M’shearing protection business. “So manypeople could be spared from it, if they

just followed these few easy steps.”

STEP 1:

Wear hearing protection

The most important step to preventinghearing loss is to wear hearingprotection.

“There are many great hearingprotection options, but sometimes it’s achallenge to know which to choose andhow and when to wear it correctly,”says Wells.

“Hearing protection is now availablethat is comfortable, fits well, andincludes options to enhancecommunication - like microphones andtwo-way radio connections for peoplewho need them.”

STEP 2:

Be mindful around the clock

Sounds louder than 85 decibels (dBA)are more common than people mightthink.

Prolonged exposure to these high-levelsounds can permanently damage yourhearing, and cause ringing in the ears,along with other symptoms. Mostpeople don’t carry decibel meters, so it’sgood to know where those sound levelscan occur. See table 1.

Hearing these sounds occasionally, for alimited time, isn’t a major threat tohearing. But repeated exposure to loudsounds can cause hearing damage overtime. Many people – like mine

workers, police officers, constructionworkers, farmers and others, work innoise that is 85 dBA or higher everyday on the job.

As a result, noise-induced hearing lossis one of the most commonoccupational diseases and the secondmost self-reported occupational illness,according to National Institute forOccupational Safety and Health.

STEP 3:

Reduce the volume or increase thedistance

Work-related noise might beunavoidable, but many times, you canbe in control of the noise around you.Whenever possible, select quietervacuums, chain saws, leaf blowers,power tools, etc.

Also, be aware that the volume controlson portable entertainment devices canexceed 110 dB – levels that may behazardous if you listen for many hours aday. Lower the volume and limit howlong you listen to them.

If you aren’t able to turn down loudsounds you encounter, take a few stepsback from the source of the loud sound.Even a few metres of distance betweenyou and a loud sound can lower thedecibel levels that hit you.

Noise-induced hearing loss happensslowly over time, so the rightprotection today can make a bigdifference tomorrow.

Make a commitment to wear hearingprotection so you can continue to enjoyall the sounds you love.

Four steps to combat hearing loss :the silent epidemic

Reprinted with thanks from Protection Update - an e-newsletter with the aim of informing users, specifiersand purchasers of personal protective equipment, andthose who regulate it.

Visit the ISEA website at www.safetyequipment.org

Table 1. Occurrence of sound levels

Attending a football game (100 to 120 dBA)Using a leaf blower or (95-120 dBA)chainsawRiding a motorcycle (80-110 dBA)Using a lawn mower (82-103 dBA)Attending a rock concert (90-120 dBA)Listening to a personal (75-114 dBA)music playerShooting firearms (140 to 165 dBA)Watching a movie at the (72-104 dBA)theatre



uvex pheos

uvex pheos alpine

uvex i-3

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UVEX Safety South Africa (Pty) Ltduvex safety (Durban) Phone: +27 (31) 569 6780 E-Mail: [email protected]

uvex safety (Pretoria) Phone: +27 (12) 345 6656 E-Mail: [email protected]

Brand of the century

MEMBER OF


uvex stands up to comparison

In order to gain a neutral assessment ofits performance, uvex does not shyaway from direct comparisons andregularly participates in competitionsand benchmark projects.

In the past few years, the company hasbeen presented with a whole host ofprizes and awards.

These testify to uvex’s innovativestrength in technology and design.

Deutsche Standards (GermanStandards) selected uvex as a “Brandof the Century”, with its ski goggles(2009) and safety eyewear (2016)representing an entire product category.

uvex has emerged as one of the mostinnovative small and medium-sized

companies in Germany and has beenawarded the TOP 100 quality seal on anumber of occasions.

This included winning in the followingcategories: “Innovation marketing”(2009) and “Innovative processes andorganisation” (2011) as well as beingthe overall “Innovator of the year”

(2013).

Prestigious awards including the“iF product design award”, the

“Red Dot Design Award” and the“German Design Award”confirm that our products meet

the highest demands for shape anddesign as well as proving thatfunctional products can also look good.

AWARDS2012 - 2016

Employer

uvex u-cap sport

uvex u-sonic

uvex pheos cx2

uvex pheos

uvex astrospec2.0


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According to the OHS Act, alcoholconsumption is not allowed duringworking hours at the workplace.However this is not always easy toenforce, nor is it easy to determine whohas come to work intoxicated. In thisinterview we explore how to identifyinebriated workers and how to combatthe problem.

NS: Do you think that companiesunderstand the real dangers thatintoxicated workers can cause?

RE: A lot of literature has been writtenon this subject, and a lot of publicitygiven to it, and therefore manyorganisations are aware of the dangers.However, they may think that theyhave put adequate controls in place todiscourage it and therefore have controlof the situation, whereas in fact theydon't. Many companies discard minor

accidents as part of thejob, but what theydon't realise is thatoften theseaccidents may becaused byintoxicatedemployees. Andaccording to theOHS Act, thecompany takes fullliability for anyaccident on the job.

The only way to fight itsuccessfully is by implementing a policyof no consumption of alcohol and drugsat all times at the workplace, andmaking sure that employees have noalcohol or drugs in their system whileat work. This can only be accomplishedthrough daily drug and alcohol testing.

NS: Is there any time when alcoholcan be consumed at the workplace,such as office functions?

RE: The problem of alcohol beingconsumed at the Friday afternoon

braai, Christmas party or otherfunction needs to be

considered. In terms of theOHS act, no alcohol maybe consumed in theworkplace and no personshould be in possessionof alcohol.

Although it is no longerthe responsibility of the

company if an employeedrives home inebriated and

causes an accident, the injuries,or loss of lives should weigh heavily

on the responsibility of managementwhich were indirectly caused by theoffice function.

NS: According to the Road Traffic Act,people can drive with a very low levelof alcohol, so in reality they can leavean office function having consumedalcohol, as long as they are below thelimit. Why is this different to what isallowed in the workplace?

RE: Whilst the Road Traffic Act allowsdriving with a very low limit of alcoholin the blood, this should not apply inthe workplace. If the employee is evenslightly under the limit of 0,050%BAC, and causes an accident at work,this could be a problem for thecompany. Besides the legalimplications, there could be anenormous financial loss if operationshave to be shut down whileinvestigations are under way.

NS: How can intoxicated employees beidentified?

RE: This is an issue that must beexamined, as it is a very important partof keeping a workplace free of alcoholand drugs. Employees who come towork drunk are easily identifiable, andaccording to legislation can bedismissed. But, then there are thefunctioning alcoholics who are moredifficult to identify because they havedeveloped a tolerance to alcohol. Theymay already have had a drink in the

Recognising intoxicated employees at the workplaceand understanding its negative effects

National Safety spoke to Rhys Evans Director of ALCO-Safe. Rhys is an expert inthe problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse at the workplace. He haswritten many articles on the subject and given several presentations.


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morning before coming to work, andhave learned how to mask the smell bysplashing on after-shave and eatingmints.

The problem is that although theyappear to be normal, the alcohol intheir bodies diminishes their instincts,putting themselves and fellowemployees at risk which couldnegatively affect the company.

NS: Is there any way you can identifythese functioning alcoholics?

RE: Employers must learn how toidentify certain behaviour patterns.This could be recognised throughchanges in behaviour such as a decreasein work performance; absenteeism;constant headaches; emotional moodswings or even aggression.

There are also visible signs such assmell, red eyes, shaky movements andan inability to concentrate.

NS: What is the best way employerscan combat the potential disasters ofdrug and alcohol abuse?

RE: Implementing an educationprogramme is the first step. But, inreality the only way to make sure thatyour workforce is 100% alcohol free isthrough testing. An alcohol-freeworkplace will be more productive andrun more efficiently and, we cannotoverlook the positive contributions thatwill be made to society.

Testing is especially important for bigcompanies, where it is difficult to knowyour employees and observe theirbehaviour. In smaller companies,

knowing your employees' workpatterns, getting to know their physicalcharacteristics, and looking out forchange is easier.

ALCO-Safe have installed testingequipment at many companies whohave been convinced that regulartesting is not necessary. But, within thefirst few days of starting theprogramme, they have realised that thisis not a futile exercise by the amount ofemployees who tested positive. And, bynot allowing people who have testedpositive onto the workplace, there isalways an immediate decrease inaccidents.

I recently helped a companyimplement an alcohol testing policy.The company director wasoverwhelmed at the decrease inaccidents. He told us that minoraccidents were often regarded asinsignificant, and therefore not takenseriously, but once the alcohol testingregime was implemented, even theminor accidents stopped.

For those few employees who arealcoholics they may need to be sent torehabilitation - medical aids generallydo pay for this. It is unfair to fire peoplebecause they have been found drinking,rather educate them and give them theopportunity to understand the negativeeffects of alcohol abuse. Fear of losing ajob, can have an enormous effect onpeople by motivating them to stop

social drinking during the week.

NS: How will this contribute positivelyto social problems?

RE: People work for financial reasons,they need to support themselves andtheir families, if they know that theywill be tested every day, and that theyare at risk of losing their jobs, theyoften stop drinking during the week.This has been seen over and over again.Not only will this have a positive effectat the workplace, but it may also helpimprove their home lives. If they arehappier at home, they will come towork happier and their workplaceperformance will improve. Dismissingthese people will lead to higherunemployment rates, without money,and without any means to supporttheir families. Employers should rathersee this as an opportunity to helpemployees.

NS: Is testing equipment expensive?

RE: The expense of the testingequipment will soon be forgotten, asperformance, and productivityimproves. The positive effects of thiswill be felt immediately, with a decreasein accidents. The abuse of alcohol anddrugs is a growing social phenomenon,and it has been proven over and overagain that this growing scourge can bestopped at the workplace where a stricttesting policy has been implemented.

Without a doubt, the benefit will soonoutweigh the cost and theinconvenience.

Contact Rhys Evans: Tel: + 27 (0) 12-343 8114 Email: [email protected]: www.alcoholtesting.co.za


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Ajen Maharaj recently returned from a3-year assignment with DuPont inSwitzerland, where he was EuropeanBusiness Leader for the Kevlar® LifeProtection business.

National Safety caught up with him atthe DuPont offices in Melrose Archrecently.

NS: On a personal level, how does itfeel to be back in SA and what didyou learn from the experience?

AM: It feels good to be back in SouthAfrica, with my kids happy to be closeto their grandparents.

We do miss some of the unique thingsin Geneva, such as the mountains,winter sports and the organised way oflife.

Key learnings on a personal level relateto the importance of being open-minded, and having the support of thefamily when you decide to go abroad.

This experience has broadened ourminds, and certainly made my childrenstronger.

NS: What are the obstacles you had toovercome?

AM: The big challenge was thelanguage, cultural differences, andadapting the wardrobe for the weather.

Fortunately, DuPont provided hugesupport, which certainly helped.

On the business front, you are anunknown quantity in the Europeanmarket, until you get into gear. Henceyou almost feel, that you have to proveyourself again!

NS: On a business level, what lessonscan you bring back to SA?

AM: In Europe, the scale of business isso much higher, and of course thiscomes with added pressure.

People are very intense and work longhours, and this fits in very well withour SA work style.

Key learnings for me related toadapting to a new culture,understanding how to get the best outof people, and listening.

I must say, being new in the Europeanenvironment, I had no choice but tolisten to people’s perspective!

NS: What changes have you observedin the PPE industry in South Africa?

AM: The structure of the industry haschanged, with many regional playerscoming to the fore.

We are also seeing PPE supplierslooking for their own source of

differentiation and uniqueness -everyone seeks to offer somethingdifferent.

We are pleased to note greateremphasis on training and learning,such that a more informedconversation can take place with theSHE officer.

As was recently conveyed to us by aleading mining company, “We needsuppliers to understand our issues, andspeak the same technical language asus”.

NS: What are the key challenges yousee in the safety industry today?

AM: Although there are very goodproducts and solutions in the market,we are concerned about the number ofinferior products which are being soldin critical applications. SAPEMA hasto continue to monitor this.

I am also concerned about the level ofmisinformation which exists in thesafety industry today. Claims made bysome PPE suppliers, are out of syncwith material performance. We mustpromote peer reviews to discouragesuch behaviour.

NS: How do you see the future of thesafety industry in SA?

AM: The industry is growing and newplayers from across the spectrum areentering the market.

International companies are continuingto invest and this bodes well for thefuture.

Our industry bodies are strong, wellsupported and committed to enhancethe occupation health, and safetystandards in South Africa.

Protecting our workers, ensuring thatthey return home safely to theirfamilies, remains a top priority for theindustry.

Spending 3 years on assignment at DuPont Switzerland


Ajen giving a presentation at the Kevlar® 50th anniversary in Abu Dhabi

•

The trend in industry is currently towards a zero tolerance ofalcohol and other drugs of abuse. Alcolizer has always beenat the forefront in technology and the advancement of saferwork practices.

Working closely with Runrite Electronics the masterdistributor for Africa, Alcolizer has developed the Centurion.With over 20 years experience with the Wall MountAlcolizer, the need to combine accuracy and fast responsetime was integral to the design.

With thousands of self test units installed across SouthernAfrica and Australia the move into a fully integrated systemwas a natural evolution in the product offering.

The Alcolizer Centurion is a fixed mount breathalyserdesigned specifically around access control. There are severalunique features in the design that set the Centurion apart.

• Fast passive - with ‘anti-blowback’ patented samplemodule.

• Access Control integration - multiple platforms, 3 x relayoutputs, RS232 bi-directional communication andEthernet.

• Ethernet connectivity with upload facility to theAlcoCloud management tools.

• Full internal data-logging and simple download via USBflashdisk

ANTI-BLOWBACK TECHNOLOGY

One of the biggest challenges facing large companiesundertaking passive alcohol testing is the question ofhygiene.

Most modern passive alcohol screeners have a ‘blowback’effect where the subject blows directly onto the device andand a residual amount of air is forced back onto the face andmouth of the test subject.

Using a patented diffusion system Alcolizer has preventedany blowback from occurring. This means that staff can restassured that the unit will remain fit for purpose and safe foruse at all times.

Due to the nature of the service and calibration of the devicethe entire sampling system is regularly replaced (every 6months) to further ensure hygiene is maintained.

This also means that security personnel do not have toconstantly worry about cleaning the device and potentiallycontaminating the sampling port with alcohol containingcleaning solvents. The Centurion has been medically assessedby independent medical professionals.

ACCESS CONTROL INTEGRATION

Already trials have been conducted on some of the mostprominent access control platforms.

The ease of integration has been noted by several installersand programmers. 100% back-up from Runrite Electronicsand Alcolizer Technology gives both end-user customers andintegrator peace of mind that the alcohol tester is fullycovered.

ZERO TOLERANCE

Here is an example of how the Centurion fits into the modelfor an effective Alcohol Control Policy using the full power ofAlcolizer Technology.

Contact: [email protected] Tel: +27 (0) 87 806 5570 Website: www.runrite.co.za

Alcohol and access control

MEMBER OF

ADVERTORIAL


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Contact SAPEMA: Secretary: Helena van Greunen , Email: [email protected] Tel: 063 442 9935 / 071 602 1456 Website: www.sapema.org

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SAPEMA

SAPEMA supports hearing-impaired school childrenEduplex is a unique school that is internationally recognised,in which pupils with hearing loss learn and acquire normalspoken language alongside their friends with normalhearing. Through this interaction, deaf children seethemselves as part of normal society.

The facilities at the school are custom designed for thespecific needs of deaf children.

There are currently 778 learners of which 75 are deaf. Morethan half of the deaf learners are from economically poorhomes and dependent on bursaries. When Nelson Mandelaopened the Eduplex Pre-School, in March 2002, he said,“What you are doing here is changing tragedy intotriumph”. This is indeed the heart of the Eduplex vision.

Clyde Beattie, Chairman of Sapema, was recently invited tovisit the school where he was given the opportunity to seehow the school operates. He was so impressed with the wayin which deaf children are integrated into main streamschooling, that he realised this was a good cause for Sapemato support.

He knew that getting member support would not bedifficult, due to many of the Sapema members sellinghearing protection.

“Being able to function as a deaf or hearing impaired personin industry has huge challenges and, I found it refreshing andheart warming that Eduplex was doing this for schoolchildren from a young age.

“By integrating hearing impaired children with normalhearing children, they soon become fully integrated andlearn to function in society in a valued and meaningful way”,said Beattie.

Hearing protection is a major challenge in the workplacebecause many people are not always aware of the risks theyface with over-exposure to high noise levels. Morefrightening is the fact that many of the workplaceenvironments have not identified areas of high noise levels,and thus place their workforce at risk of noise inducedhearing loss.

“With the incredible story behind Eduplex, their ongoingefforts to grow the school and offer children who have ahearing impairment an opportunity to be educated in a“normal” hearing school environment, makes furthersupport from Sapema a real possibility” concluded Beattie.

The emphasis on spoken language ensures that all childrenreach a level of linguistic maturity that lays a firm foundationfor literacy, numeracy and academic success, facilitating deafchildren to be able to enter courses of higher education,opening more opportunities for job mobility.

The audiological support at the Eduplex is provided byaudiologists from the Ear Institute nearby. They followevidence-based practice in the evaluation of the child’shearing, the fitting of amplification devices and theverification of the fittings.

The establishment of EDUPLEX has been made possible bygenerous donations.

Morning assembly - children sing as Principal Jannie de Goede plays the guitar

School children accepting the cheque from SAPEMA Exco members

School children rejoicing after learning about the donation

André Eloff hands the cheque to Principal Jannie de Goede, as SAPEMA ChairmanClyde Beattie looks on

Clyde Beattie giving apresentation as Exco memberslisten.

(L to R) Johan Olivier, DeleaneLuzzatto, Helena van Greunen,Neels Coetzee


•

As the Federal Government of Nigeria looks to rebrand thefire service for efficiency, experts have advised that it shouldstrengthen its awareness campaign on fire safety mechanismsto prevent and reduce the incidents of fire outbreak in thecountry.

They emphasised that the incidents of fire emergencies in thecountry can be partly attributed to poor awareness levels onfire safety measures.

“The national attention given the service after it has beenneglected for more than a decade is encouraging,” said theNational Coordinator of Safety Advocacy and EmpowermentFoundation, Nigeria, SAEF, Kadiri Shamusideen.

“But, he pleaded that the N4.6 billion intervention funddedicated to improve the sector be utilised for visible results”pleaded Shamusideen.

The Minister of Interior, retired Lt-General AbdulrahmanDanbazau recently said that the funds would be used topurchase fire-fighting equipment, improve on existingfacilities, training, recruitment and welfare of the personnel.

The programme director of NFPAWA, Mrs Anthonia Beri,added that government should also facilitate the formationof voluntary fire fighters to complement the activities ofcareer fire fighters who were still not delivering to requiredexpectations.

“It will be more rewarding to set up a fire-fighter’s club, likeit is in advanced countries, which should be a citizenvolunteer organisation like the Red Cross, where able bodiedmen and women are encouraged to be members and aretrained from time to time on the basics of fire safety andfirefighting. This would go a long way towards enhancingthe job of firefighting” said Beri.

“The existence of a voluntary rescue organisation would alsoassist in increasing fire safety awareness,” commentedShamusideen.

Shamsudeen emphasised that the forthcoming conferenceand training that was to be presented by NFPAWA on FireEnterprise Risk Management was relevant in this wise.

Being held in May it will highlight the standards andrequirement for attending to emergency situations, theimportance of having a robust fire safety management inworkplaces for business continuity as well as bringing intofocus how organisation cans proactively prevent fireoccurrences

NFPAWA (National Fire Prevention Awareness andAdvocacy) is a life and risk risk management organisationset up in 2016 to bridge the gaps in hazards and fire riskresponse, mitigation and management and safety standardswithin Nigeria and the African continent.

Strengthening fire safety in Nigeria

FIRE SAFETY


A good day to all members of IOSM!

I trust this first message from my desk for 2017 finds you allin good health physically, mentally and in your work!

CHANGES TO STRATEGY

The National Council, during our planning for 2017 decidedto make a few changes to our strategy. We decided to startplaying more of a mentor and educator role, thus focusingon growing the expertise and professionalism of all involvedin Occupational Health and Safety.

This strategy is now captured in our Vision:

The Professional Body for the Growth of OccupationalSafety

and in our Mission:

To provide an opportunity for the support anddevelopment of all those involved in Occupational

Safety

I would like to reiterate a number of issues that we have sentinformation on already:

• During last year a decision was taken to adapt ourassessment process so that a person applying to become aRegistered Occupational Safety Professional will no longerbe required to write the examinations, but will only beinvited to the professional interview, if he or she meets thecriteria.

• You have also been informed of our new fee structurewhere we adapted our fees to the different levels and arealso offering a discount incentive to people paying theirannual fees within a month of issuing the receipt. Pleaserefer to your invoice and statement for the details.

• Professionally registered individuals will in future also beallowed to display the IOSM logo, if of course they meetall the registration criteria which includes CPD, updatedpersonal data for SAQA purposes and being in goodstanding. Logos will be issued individually to membersthat comply.

• We have improved the value for our corporate members aswell, and we have started a process to implement it. Thiswill include amongst others, the opportunity forpreferential advertising fees on our website.

•

Joep Joubert

Message fromthe President

• The option to advertise on our website will also beavailable to non-members.

• You have been sent numerous letters about the ContinuedProfessional Development (CPD) requirements and wehave no choice but to start de-registering people who arestill ignoring the requirements.

DOL REVISIONS TO REGULATIONS

The Department of Labour have warned of a number ofrevisions to Regulations that will be published for commentsoon.

The Ergonomics Regulations were published already andreally require careful scrutiny.

Others like the Asbestos Regulations and the MajorHazard Installation Regulations are expected to followsoon. We will keep you informed as the process unfolds.

Members may also be aware of the fact that the Departmentof Labour, at their KZN Conference on 8 and 9 Marchdiscussed the Guidelines to the Construction Regulationswhich is now also very close to release. We shall inform youas soon as it is official.

A delegation of the IOSM was honoured to have anappointment with the Director General of the Dept. ofLabour, Mr Thobile Lamati, during December. Besides thevery cordial discussions, we also handed the DG his verylong overdue Honorary Membership Certificate. See thephoto showing the handing over of the certificate by JoepJoubert and Leighton Bennett to Mr Lamati.

A-OSH EXPO

The annual A-OHSExpo is almost on us again and theInstitute of Safety Management will again have an exhibitionstand, so please come and visit us. We will be involved in theseminar theatre, don’t miss your chance to listen to some ofthe most well-known names in the OHS industry to talkabout topics of special interest, all for free!! Speakers willinclude amongst others, the Chief Inspector of the Dept. ofLabour Mr Tibor Szana, Dr Johan Schoeman, Dr DenisCronson, Dale Kennedy and yours truly. Watch the IOSMspace for more detail closer to the Expo!

See you all at A-OHSExpo 2017!!

E-mail: [email protected] / Tel +27 12 661 5166 / Website: www.iosm.co.za


•

At recent workshops held bythe Department of Labour invarious provinces, we werereminded that the DraftErgonomics Regulations havebeen issued for comment, andthat comments close on 27April 2017. Attendees at theworkshop were requested tochannel their commentsthrough their professionalorganisations using this form,which is also included with thedraft regulations themselves.This will ensure that thecomments are prescreened andcollated before submission tothe Department, thusspeeding up the review andrevision process.

ISOM members can submittheir comments through thePRO, Richard Whittaker, viaemail at [email protected] to allow time for thecollation.

The draft regulations can beviewed athttp://www.labourguide.co.za/workshop/1267-ohsgg40578r64of20171/file

Draft ErgonomicsRegulations

And the presentation here:http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/downloads/documents/useful-documents/occupational-health-and-safety/Ergonomics%20workshop%20%20presentation%20FEB%202016.pdf

DoL Ergonomicspresentation

Draft ergonomics regulations



•


The HWSETA hosted a workshop on 8 and 9 March at theAviator Hotel in Kempton Park, to discuss the newOccupational Certificate: Occupational Health and SafetyPractitioner, in order to get HWSETA service providers tounderstand the content of the qualification, as well as toidentify potential shortcomings in the qualification thatmight need addressing in some way.

Approximately 60 HWSETA service providers from acrossthe country attended.

As can be imagined the session was characterised by somerobust debate.

SHORTCOMINGS OF THE QUALIFICATION

A number of issues were identified by delegates which theyperceived as shortcomings of the qualification.

In summary the shortcomings hinged around the fact thatthe qualification does not contain specific elements of theright size, which could be used to provide training on certainlegal compliance issues like, first aid training, fire training,health and safety representative training, risk assessmenttraining, etc.

CLARIFICATION THAT WAS PROVIDED

The following clarification was provided:

1. Until such time as the unit standard qualification teachout period is reached, there will be a dual system based onunit standard qualifications on the one hand, and theQCTO qualification on the other hand.

For OHS, the quality control of unit standard trainingwill remain with the HWSETA, whereas the qualitycontrol for the QCTO qualification will rest with theappointed assessment quality partner (AQP), which isDQS.

2. The ETQA function of the SETAs has been extended tillMarch 2020.

3. The Occupational Certificate: Occupational Health andSafety Practitioner, will be registered as soon as possible,with minor changes from the version circulated forcomment in September.

4. The Occupational Certificate: Occupational Health andSafety Practitioner, is designed for the training of Healthand Safety Practitioners, not general health and safetytraining of the workforce.

5. The Health and Safety practitioner cannot be theEmergency controller as well as the fire fighter and thefirst aider, hence the qualification did not focus onproviding him/her with firefighting and first aid skills.

6. The curriculum for fire training must be sourced from theFire Prevention Assistant as part of the OccupationalCertificate: Fire fighter.

7. The curriculum for the first aid training will in time, besourced from a new Occupational Certificate for FirstAid/Basic first responders currently being developed. Thename is not yet confirmed.

8. For other perceived OHS legal compliance training, i.e.aspects like HIRA, incident investigation, etc., thecurriculum can be drawn from the OccupationalCertificate: Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner.

9. More specialised aspects e.g.transportation of hazardousgoods training will have to be sourced from newlydeveloped qualifications in the field where it belongs, inthis case transport.

Although a number of other aspects were discussed, in theopinion of the writer, the issues highlighted above, are themost critical.

All QCTO Qualifications for public comment, qualificationsrecommended for registration and registered qualificationscan be found on the QCTO website, athttp://www.qcto.org.za, under Development ofOccupational Qualifications.

Should there be any further questions in this regard, pleasefeel free to contact Joep Joubert directly [email protected].

Workshop discusses the Occupational Certificate:Occupational Health and Safety PractitionerFeedback on the Workshop Hosted by HWSETA to discuss the OccupationalCertificate: Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner

ARE YOU MEETING ALL OCCUPATIONALAND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES?

Occutech is an inspection authority for the work and business environment surrounds approved by the Department of Labour

• Indoor air quality assessment• Risk assessors• Occupational hygiene• Environmental consultants

“PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!”

http://www.occutech.co.zaEmail: [email protected]

Tel: (031) 206-1244 Fax: (031) 205-2561

Occutech is able to recognise,

evaluate and recommend

cost-effective controls of

occupational and

environmental hazards


•


ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDES

In health, agriculture, and government,the word “organophosphates” refers toa group of insecticides. It is commonknowledge that insecticides orpesticides are used in agriculture.

But, how safe are organophosphatepesticides to humans? And, isorganophosphate poisoning possible?The answer to this is that yes,organophosphate pesticides can beabsorbed by inhalation, ingestion, anddermal absorption.

ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING

Organophosphates have a neurotoxiceffect on the brain by affectingneurotransmitters such as acetylcholinewhich is important in braindevelopment.

HEALTH EFFECTSChronic exposure

Repeated or prolonged exposure toorganophosphates may result in thesame effects as acute exposure.

Effects reported in workers repeatedlyexposed include impaired memory andconcentration, disorientation, severedepressions, irritability, confusion,

headaches, speech difficulties, delayedreaction times, nightmares,sleepwalking, drowsiness, or insomnia.An influenza-like condition withheadache, nausea, weakness, loss ofappetite, and malaise has also beenreported.

Low level exposure

Even low levels of exposure can affectthe brain and may be hazardous tofetuses and young children, wherebrain development depends on a strictsequence of biological events.

Organophosphates can be absorbedthrough the lungs or skin or by eatingwhen they are found on food.

According to a 2008 report from theU.S. Department of Agriculture,detectable traces of organophosphatewere found in a representative sampleof produce tested by the agency, 28%of frozen blueberries, 20% of celery,27% of green beans, 17% of peaches,8% of broccoli, and 25% ofstrawberries.

REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS

Certain reproductive effects in fertility,growth, and development for malesand females have been linkedspecifically to organophosphatepesticide exposure.

Most of the research on reproductive

effects has been conducted on farmersworking with pesticides and insecticidesin rural areas.

Poor semen and sperm quality havebeen seen on males exposed toorganophosphate pesticides, includingreduced seminal volume, as well as adecrease in sperm count per ejaculate.

In females, menstrual cycledisturbances, longer pregnancies,spontaneous abortions, still-births, andsome developmental problems inoffspring have been linked toorganophosphate pesticide exposure.

Prenatal exposure has been linked toimpaired fetal growth anddevelopment.

The effects of organophosphateexposure on infants and children are atthis time currently being researched tocome to a conclusive finding.

SAFETY OF FARMWORKERS To ensure the safety of farmworkers,the following must be considered:• If possible avoid the use of

organophosphate pesticides.• Ensure that the workers receive

proper hazardous chemicalsubstances training.

• Ensure that the correct personalprotective equipment is issued toevery worker and that it is properlyused.

• Do not allow pregnant woman towork with organophosphatepesticides.

Pesticides in agriculture

S.P. van Rensburg. (ROSPrac)


•

Rob van Hemert is well known to readers ofNational Safety for his wide ranging articlescovering safety and risk. During his career,he had many very personal close encounters

with life threatening situations.

by Rob van Hemert

Flirting with danger

I was fortunate in 1965 having securedthe position of bitumen unit operator atthe Shell oil refinery in Durban. Thatwas a nice job. It was a manageableprocess and basically you ran this wholeunit, control room panel and all. Ireally enjoyed my days there. Therewas also opportunity to practiceoptimisation, as there were manyvariables in making what is known asblown bitumen, and you had free reignto change things and check the resultsan hour later.

Blown bitumen is basically a very hardbitumen that is made from softbitumen subjected to an oxidationprocess, with some materials added.

The bitumen blowing column was avery delicate piece of processequipment, because you fed very hotbitumen into it, and added air makingthe stuff burn, as it were. If you addedtoo much, though, the pressure roseand the entire top would open up. Thiswas a hatch that was held in place witha metal pin that broke under a certainpressure. The vapours coming off thiscolumn were the bitch of this unit. Ascrubber had been added to remove theliquid fraction from these vapours andthis scrubber would plug and alsocreate an increased pressure withsimilar results.

This one particular morning shift it wasraining like mad, so I had on a plasticheavy duty rain suit. I was busy tryingto get the scrubber clear, that mypredecessor had somewhat neglected.Suddenly, “POOOFFF” and the skyturned black, with bitumen rainingdown all around and over me. Where itfell on the ground it transformed therain water into steam and this was afascinating thing to watch. I simplyretracted myself like a tortoise into mysuit and under my hardhat. Luckily itwas raining otherwise I would have

been badly burnt by this 300oC stuff.My angel!!

Dr Gerry Rose was the refinerymanager at the time. The bitumen unithappens to be the closest process to hisoffice and he overlooked it (more orless). He was a pedantic type, alwayswearing white gloves, and he was nowrunning out of the office buildingtowards me pulling on white gloves. Iremember being greatly amused bythis. There I stood, frozen like Lot,watching the steam bubbles rising fromthe concrete where the bitumen hit it.Streaks of bitumen were running downmy hat and solidifying like icicleshanging from a power line - longicicles.

“What happened?” Dr Rosedemanded.

“The blowing column blew its top!” Itold him.

“Oh, OK” and he ran off out of therain. No, “Are you OK?” or anything.Wasn’t concerned about the welfare ofhis employees, only his plant. He didn’trate high in my opinion after that (orbefore, come to think of it).


•

Every organisation’s most importantasset is its employees. These are notonly the most costly component of theorganisation, but also the mostimportant. Laws stipulate that everyemployee must be protected duringmaintenance and shut-down ofmachinery. Lockout and Tagoutapplications are paramount duringmaintenance and shut-downprocedures, however, this can be adaunting task to an organisation, as theincorrect choice of lockout and tagoutpadlocks and accessories willcompromise the safety of workersduring maintenance.

OSHA LOCKOUT, TAGOUT GUIDELINES

The Occupational Health and SafetyAct (OSHA) has guidelines andstandards which must be strictlyadhered to. Failure to adhere to themcould lead to financial or punitivesanctions by the relevant authorities.

Necessary equipment required can beclassified as:

1) Safety padlocks

2) Safety lockout accessories

3) Safety identification tags and signs.

It is important to note that not allsafety lockout and tagout equipmentwas created equal, and as witheverything in the market place, thereare good quality and lesser qualityproducts available.

Master Lock is the world leader insafety padlocks as well as safetyaccessories used in all lockout and

tagout applications.

The use of Zenex thermoplastic insafety padlocks ensures the durability ofthe padlock, and also ensures that anon-hazardous lock is used inpotentially explosive or corrosiveenvironments.

DIFFERENT LOCKS AVAILABLE

Lock bodies are available in variouscolours and sizes and shackles are alsoavailable in different lengths, diametersand materials. This ensures that a safesolution is available for everyapplication.

More than 1 million key differs canbe guaranteed on customisedsystems, thereby eliminating thehazardous consequences of keyduplications.

All Master Lock safetyaccessories are designedwith two major criteriain mind,firstly, allaccessories must besimple and easy to useand secondly, allaccessories must comply with theOSHA standards. OSHA requires that all lockout andtagout padlocks and accessories must be:• manufactured from durable

materials which can withstand theenvironment in which they are beingused,

• substantial enough to withstandremoval without use of excessiveforce,

Lockout and tagout made simple• able to clearly identify the employee

who installed the device,• standardised in the facility by shape,

colour and/or size,• unique from other locking devices,• used exclusively for lockout and

tagout purposes.

MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS

Every piece of machinery must have itsown procedure to ensure adequatelockout of its energy sources.

This could be as simple as locking out acircuit breaker or a valve in the closedposition, to multiple lockouts ofdifferent energy sources to themachinery.

Using Master Lock accessories, ensuresconvenient, simple and adequatelockout of all sources of energy.

No matter what the source of energy,there is a Master Lock solution.

ADVICE AND TRAINING

In addition, Master Lock South Africaoffers a free advisory service, where aqualified consultant will do a site

inspection and advisemanagement on

which safetydevices andpadlocks arebest suitedfor thefacility. Thisfree serviceensures the

correct choiceof padlocks

and accessoriesnecessary on site.

Master Lock also provides training toemployees who need to use padlocksand accessories.

Management of a facility can then restassured that the correct safety padlocksand accessories are being used asintended, thereby ensuring safety ofpersonnel and reducing down time.

Master Lock is the only company thatbacks all their safety products andaccessories with a limited lifetimeguarantee.Contact IB McIntyre & Co. Tel 021-511-6104


•

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is acommunicable disease caused bybacteria called the Mycobacteriumtuberculosis.

HOW PTB IS SPREAD

Spread is known as ‘droplet infection’through coughing, sneezing andspitting. If untreated, an infectedperson can spread PTB to up to 10-15persons annually. PTB is latent or doesnot show any symptoms amongapproximately one in every ten people,but some develop active PTB withinabout 2 years of having been in contactwith a person who is sick, anduntreated.

People who are more susceptible todeveloping PTB are those who are HIVpositive, on immune suppressivemedication, or are ill with otherdiseases, and have a poor immunesystem (South African Labour Guide(SALG), 2017).

ISSUES INCREASING TRANSMISSION

There are a range of issues that affectPTB transmission. Migrant workers,areas where there is poor ventilation,crowded living areas, hostels, prisonsand a range of workplaces (SALG,2017) help spread infection.

PTB can be recognised in theworkplace, where there is a focus onprimary health care, but this is oftennot the focus within the constructionsector. Clearly, the earlier the diagnosisis made, the quicker treatment can be

started, and the spread of infectionlimited. Deacon, Lapere, Smallwoodand von der Marwitz (2004) indicatedthat PTB is a major cause of death as aresult of poverty, but also for thoseworking in the mining sector.

DIAGNOSIS OF PTB

Medical surveillance is a requirement interms of the Construction Regulations,for all workers in the sector (Republicof South Africa (RSA), 2014).

A full medical examination of a workerwhich includes a full history and clinicalexamination is likely to identifypotential symptoms.

Where history or symptoms areidentified, the worker will be referredfor further investigation. PTB is acommunicable disease and treatment isfree through the state health system.Clinics make the diagnosis through 2sputum tests, and ongoing tests untilthey are clear. Chest XRays are nottaken to diagnose, but rather to observethe physical effect of the illness on thelungs.

Recent findings from the mining sectorindicated that doctors fail to recogniseup to 44% of PTB, incorrect diagnosisof 29% as the cause of death, andcorrectly identifying PTB on 27% onautopsy. What this means is that manypeople die early, and unnecessarily. Thisfurther results in the spread of PTB tothose around them, thus increasing theopportunity of further unnecessaryillness and early death (NationalInstitute of Occupational Health(NIOH), 2017).

Deacon et al; (2004) conducted amedical surveillance study amongconstruction workers, to determine thepotential issues and history experiencedby such workers. It was identified that1.4% had been previously treated forPTB while previously working on themines. While none of the respondentswere on any treatment, a total of 8%had been coughing for more than 2weeks, requiring further investigation.

SYMPTOMS OF PTB• Coughing for more than 2 weeks,

and mucous that could be bloodstained;

• Chest pain;

• Loss of appetite, extreme tiredness,and

• Night fever and extreme nightsweating.

TREATMENT OF PTB

Treatment protocols are complicated,and require a range of tablets to betaken daily according to the type of TBdiagnosed.

Treatment is generally for 4-6 months,however, it may be longer, and morecomplicated. Supervisors at work canuse the directly observed treatment(DOT), which means the worker isobserved taking the medication atwork. The DOT method increasescompliance with treatment protocols,as this is a definite problem with such along treatment period.

CONCLUSION

PTB is a disease that can affect theability to work, have an increasedlikelihood of being contracted alongwith exposure to silica, as well as otherdiseases that reduce an individual’simmune system. Early treatment limitsthe spread of the disease, andcompliance to treatment. Medicalsurveillance programmes at work canassist with the identification ofsymptoms and referral for furtherinvestigations.

REFERENCESDeacon, CH, Lapere, J, Smallwood, JJ, &von der Marwitz, J. 2004. The Health Statusof Construction Workers. Unpublished MagisterCurationis Thesis, University of PortElizabeth.National Institute of Occupational Health(NIOH). 2017. Process-Based PerformanceReview for the Diagnosis of PulmonaryTuberculosis. TB Tool. http://www.nioh.ac.za /?page=tb_tool&id=118. Republic of South Africa. 2014. ConstructionRegulations. Government Printer, Pretoria. The South African Labour Guide. 2017.What employers should know about Tuberculosis(TB). World Economic Forum GlobalHealth Initiative. http://www.labourguide.co.za / health-and-safety/1374-tb-what-employers-should-know.

Tuberculosis and the construction sector

Dr Claire Deacon PhD (Constr Mgt) is theManaging Member of OCCUMED cc and haspractised as an Occupational Health Practitioner(OHNP) since 1982. Claire obtained her PhD

(Construction Management) at NMMU in 2016.She is registered as one of the few female ProfessionalConstruction Health and Safety Agents practisingin the field. Claire is currently one of 2 construction

H&S (CHS) council members appointed to theSACPCMP for the 4th term council. She is amember of SA Society of Occupational Health

Nurses (SASOHN), the Chartered Institute ofBuilding (CIOB); the Institute of Safety and

Health (IOSH) in the UK, and the ErgonomicsSociety of South Africa (ESSA).

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ACHASM

ACHASM Email: [email protected] Cell: 076 263 0549


•

GAS SAFETY

Global demand for LiquefiedPetroleum Gas (LPG) is on the rise.However, South Africa has a nationalper capita consumption that is fivetimes lower than the global averagewhich simply means there is a void tobe filled.

“The potential is evident, but today’sleading oil and gas executives in Africawill need to stay on top of emergingchallenges and opportunities to remaincompetitive.” (PWR Report).

CHALLENGES FOR THE LPGINDUSTRY

The LPG industry is currently facingchallenges and barriers that are yet tobe resolved. Although the biggestinvestment in the industry comes fromforeign investors, both foreign anddomestic players face similarchallenges. The misuse of industryregulations particularly with regards toimport terminals and storage facilities isone of the biggest issues, minimalimport terminals place a constraint forcompanies looking to import.

SOLUTIONS

However, solutions to these difficultiesare under construction.

Talks about how many importterminals South Africa should have inorder to ensure that LPG companiesimport easier and cheaper are in the air.

The National Safety Strategy is put inplace with an objective to provideaccess to safe, cleaner, efficient,portable, environmentally friendly andaffordable thermal fuel for allhouseholds, and to switch low-incomehouseholds away from the use of coal,paraffin, and biomass to LPG.

This is bound to increase consumerappetite for LPG.

There is a perception among SouthAfricans that LPG is somehow unsafeand this needs to be addressed throughawareness and information drives.

“We need co-operation between allstakeholders and industry role-playersin this regard,” says Kevin Robertson.

LPG - challenges and solutions

Compliance across all industry sectorscan be seen as a vital preventativemeasure for safety as well as a tool inreducing mismanagement, collusionand corruption. The piped gas industryis no different.

The demand for gas as an energy isshowing unprecedented growth.Compliance thus becomes paramountand will ensure that standards aremaintained as new infrastructureprojects are completed within SouthernAfrica.

SAFETY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

At the recently hosted SAGA(Southern Africa Gas Association) GasSafety and Compliance Summit - guestspeakers Professor Mervyn King andVusimuzi Zwane from NERSAreiterated SAGA’s longstanding policyon safety and compliance.

King’s presentation drove through theoverarching global movement towardsintegrated reporting and socialconsciousness.

For the piped gas industry; handling ofgas, gas installations and gas safety areno longer silos and now work hand inhand with company reputation andprofitability.

Unlike the previous decade, only 20%of a company’s value lies in its assets,the other 80% is attributed to futurewealth, community reputation, digitalfootprint and innovation neverforgetting safety. Being compliant pays!

NERSA’s commitment to workingclosely with SAGA is encouraging andwill ensure that safety remains asimportant in the gas industry asbottom-line and profitability.

Gas safety and compliance summit

PUBLISHED REVISION ON THEPRESSURE EQUIPMENTREGULATIONS (PER)

Key aspects were raised on thepublished revision of the PER. To assistwith the Regulations, guidance noteswere developed to assist industry withan improved understanding of theregulations and to reinforce regulation.

Some of the introduced guidelinescould become regulations in a future

revision of the PER currently beingworked on. Fundamentalimprovements have been madeespecially to Regulation 17 impactingthe gas industry.

Further detail as to improvements willbe communicated in due course.

For more information on SAGA visit www.saga.co.za

Professor Mervyn King, NERSA and SAGA reiterate commitmentto safe handling of piped gas


•

VISION IN ENERGY EVENT

LPGSASA will collaborate in TheVision in Energy (VIE) LPG Eventthat is to be held on the 9th - 11thMay 2017 at Monte Casino. It will armregional players with knowledge, skills,and opportunities that are sure tocreate compact businesses within theindustry. Participation and Intel fromvarious stakeholders in the LPG valuechain is a great method to encouragecooperate participation in the industrythat few people seem to know about.

WORLD LPG ASSOCIATION

The World LPG Association (WLPGA)is one of the systems used to ensure theLPG industry is a prolific one, it servesas the authoritative voice of the globalLPG industry representing the fullLPG value chain. The primary goal ofthe Association is to add value to thesector by driving premium demand forLPG, while also promoting complianceto good business and safety practices.This association also looks to supportand mentor women in the LPGindustry, this is a brilliant initiative thatfocusses precisely on empoweringwomen in this industry and ensuringtheir success.

During the course of the VIE event,categories that bring the most benefitand aids in the sustainability andgrowth of the LPG Industry will bepresented with a total of eight Awards,four of which will be awarded at theGALA dinner that will be held on theevening of the 11th of May 2017, theseare awarded to reward achievementsand excellence in those areas that bringthe most benefit in the LPG industry,ensuring its sustainable growth withinthe region.

The VIE Event is backed up bynumerous exhibitors and sponsors;Cavagna Group, Mauria, Easigas, SCG,SAPI, Man-Tek, Amtrol-Alfa, FAS,Totai, Syam, LAPESA, SICA, EyonaGas.Find out more about LPGas www.lpgas.co.za /www.visioninenergy.co.za

GAS SAFETY

A two stage evaporative coolingsystem was chosen as the best solutionfor the new extension at Bridgestonefactory in Brits.

Fifty-Two Engineering’s MD, JohnParry explains that this was possiblyone of the safest sites and installationsthey have done.

“It’s very unusual to have a clear, openfactory to work in, where we were ableto make use of an elevated platform forthe ducting installation.

"We could have used a single stageevaporative cooler with Brit’s highambient conditions, however with theheat generated in the plant, a 2 stagesystem was decided upon,” heexplained.

“A 2 stage system drops thetemperature of the air lower thanconventional evaporative coolers, bypumping the cooled water from thesump through the cooling coil”.

The advantage of an evaporativesystem is that 100% of fresh, filteredand humidified air is blown into thearea it serves, thus making theworking conditions excellent for theemployees inside the factory.

An added advantage is that the air‘overflows’ into the adjoining part ofthe factory.

Parry proudly mentioned "that being amember of SARACCA (South AfricanRefrigeration and Air ConditioningContractors Association) keeps 52Engineering abreast of all the latesttechnology, up to date with contractualissues and most of all the help wereceive from the training subsidy”.

Being chairman of the Gauteng branchand now vice-president of SARACCAtakes a lot of his time, but “if it helpswith uplifting the skills in the industry,it will be worth it” he added.

In terms of maintenance of this system,servicing is very simple and onlyrequires draining and cleaning thesumps, cleaning filters and ensuring thefans, pumps and controls are all inworking order.

Installation of evaporative coolingsystem


•

HISTORY

Advantage A.C.T. (Pty) Ltd was established in 2001 byChristel Fouché and was built into a well-known andreputable service provider in the South African and AfricanOccupational Health, Safety and Environmental community.During January 2014 Advantage ACT was split into threedifferent registered companies. Advantage ACT remains thelargest, responsible for general Health and Safety training,AGO Certification (Pty) Ltd was established to providecertification and training services in the ISO 9001, 14001and OHSA 18001 domain. Steam Legal ComplianceSolutions (Pty) Ltd provides OHS legal training, auditingand consulting services.

The companies were taken over by Pinnacle OccupationalSafety and Health Services Holdings (Pty) Ltd in May2016 and are managed by Joep Joubert, co-owner of the twogroups.

CREDIBILITY

Advantage ACT believes that their competitive advantage isdue to the extensive experience of their auditors, facilitatorsand implementers. To a large extent, the success of aSHEQ/HSEC programme depends on the change inbehaviour brought about by good auditing, consulting andtraining interventions.

Advantage ACT has over the years maintained all the criticalaccreditations and registrations required by law and clientrequirements to prove its commitment to quality:

• Health and Welfare SETA Accreditation as trainingprovider: HW592PA05000117.

• IRCA Registered under partnership with BSCIC: LeadAuditors Courses: ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001: A17581& A17582. ISO 14001 Lead auditor's courses arepresented in partnership with BSCIC and INTEK.

• TUV ISO 9001: 2008 certification.

• Department of Labour: First Aid level 1-3 registeredinstitution with number CI 413.

• Level Two, Empowering supplier B-BBEE Status.

All Advantage ACT facilitators, assessors and moderators areproperly qualified and registered with extensive experience inOHS. AGO Certification employ only internationallyqualified ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 Auditorsand Lead Auditors. Steam Legal Compliance Solutionsemploy only qualified lawyers and advocates.

PRODUCTS

Advantage ACT is part of Pinnacle OSH Holdings whichprides itself in providing a turnkey solution in the field ofOHS. All companies in the group focus on their own specificrole and functions to ensure clients get the best possibleservice.

Pinnacle OSH Holdings (Pty) Ltd provides specialisedOSH services including the development andimplementation of formal OHSAS 18001, ISO 9001 andISO 14001 Management Systems.

Frontier SHEQ Consulting (Pty) Ltd provides an OHSmanagement service to companies in all industrial sectors,including manufacturing and facility management and alsoacts as the OHS Agent for clients on construction projects.

Primary SHEQ Services provides OHS services to principlecontractors (mining, building and civil construction projects).

Crest Occupational Safety and Health ConstructionSupport (Pty) Ltd provide a comprehensive OHS service tosub-contractors in the construction industry.

Teano Management Services (Pty) Ltd delivers qualitymanagement services to the commercial and retail industryincluding development, implementation and maintenance offormal- or informal OHS Systems for tenants in shoppingcentres, office parks, business parks and industrial parks.

FUTURE

The management and staff of Pinnacle Holdings are allcommitted to saving lives and making a difference to allworkers in South Africa and the rest of Africa. The services inour different focus areas will be expanded to reach as manyOHS practitioners and workers as possible through ourtraining, auditing, and OHS consultancy services on sites.

We are closely following the developments of the QCTO sothat we can become a leader in that area as well asexpanding our training to other means to reach as manypeople as possible.

A leader in OHS consulting and training

ADVERTORIAL


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Ensure your church has a safety andsecurity emergency response plan

Dr Bill Pomfret shares with us thedetails of an unusual contract he hasrecently been awarded.

“This is the first time I have been askedto develop safety, security andemergency response plans, and thenprovide training for a church. I havebeen left wondering how big of aproblem this is in South Africa, andelsewhere in the world. Although Irefer to churches in this article, itactually relates to all places of worship,for all religions” said Pomfret.

When an incident occurs at a churcheveryone is stunned, shocked, andsurprised that evil has visited his or hermost sacred place. The most commoncomment is, “I cannot believe ithappened here” after all, nobody everthinks bad things will come their waywhile praying, or they think God willprotect their church. The unfortunatetruth is that bad things do happen togood people, and the predators in oursociety know Christians are welcoming,friendly, and ill prepared for violence.

I believe God’s expectation is that werecognise the dangers we face, and takeprudent action to minimise threatsagainst us, protect our children, andprotect life, criminals know there is asmall chance they will be confronted byanyone who knows what to do.

Churches rightly wrestle with thebalance of being an open and friendlyplace versus planning for security orsafety concerns. Depending upon thesize of your church, it is important youstrike the right balance and meet theneeds and mission of your particularorganisation.

THE EVOLUTION IN RISK ANDRESPONSE: NEXT GENERATIONACTIVE SHOOTER PREPAREDNESS

How many Churches in South Africahave formal safety, security andemergency response programmes. Or,how many have trained groups in whatto do in the event of such attacks whichare highly dynamic, rapidly evolvingsituations. They happen so quickly thatthe shooting is usually over before thepolice arrive. Unlike other violentcrimes, the “active” aspect inherentlyimplies that both law enforcementpersonnel and citizens have thepotential to affect the outcome of theevent based upon their responses.

To effectively prepare for such a fast-moving and potentially devastatingthreats, leaders and decision-makersshould be aware of the evolving riskand new approaches in mitigation.

THE EVOLVING RISK

The frequency and characteristics ofthese events have continued to changein scope and complexity since 9-11, infact the rate of such incidents hastripled over the past several years aswell. Leaders and planners therefore areconfronted with the reality that thereare more events, involving greatnumbers of casualties, demanding ahigher level of readiness. It is importantthat planning efforts are aligned withthe today’s Active Shooter Risks, notyesterday’s incidents and includeseveral complicating factors, including:

• Well-trained, tactically competent,and willing-to-die perpetrators;

• Multiple operators (attackers)working in small tactical units;

• Effective internal and externalcommunications/coordination;

• Purposeful luring of first respondersto inflict even more carnage;

• Use of fire to complicate first-responder operations and causefurther damage;

• Potential use of chemical, biologicalor radiological agents; and

• Use of high-powered military typeweapons and explosives, includingsuicide bomb vests.

THE FIVE PRIMARY TYPES OFVIOLENCE

1. Type 1 occurs during thecommission of a property crime suchas a robbery, theft or trespassing.

2. Type 2 is the most prevalent inhospital and health careenvironments. In fact, health careand social service workers are fourtimes more likely to be the victimsof violence on the job than any othertype of worker.

3. Type 3 is co-worker violence.

4. Type 4 is when violence and abusefollow a worker from home to work,it is considered “Intimate PartnerViolence.”

5. Type 5 is when the violent actor isan extremist of some sort whobelieves that violence is necessary,justified or deserved in their radicalviews. It is important that leaders

Managing Consultant, Safety ProjectsInternational, Canada specialises inauditing and evaluating both client

and contractor Safety Programmes andin developing with them pro-activepreventative systems procedures andprogrammes to control all incidents.

by Dr Bill Pomfret


•

and planners understand the conceptof Type 5 violence and integrate itinto overall violence prevention andresponse strategies.

BRIEF INTRODUCTIONS

As a brief introduction to the fiveprimary types of workplace violence:

Type I violence occurs during thecommission of a property crime such asa robbery, theft or trespassing. In thisscenario, there is no legitimate businessrelationship between the offender andthe organisation.

The organisation or victim is selectedbecause of the perception that there issomething of value to be taken, such ascash, medications or electronics. Type 1is most common in convenience stores,liquor stores, and gas stations, as wellas taxis and limousines, where peoplemay work late at night, all alone, andhave cash on hand. This type ofworkplace violence is the mostprevalent, and 85% of workplacehomicides occur in this type ofcircumstance.

Type 2 violence is the most prevalencein hospital and health careenvironments and in fact, health careand social service workers are fourtimes more likely to be the victims ofviolence on the job than any other typeof worker. In instances of Type 2violence the offender is known to theorganisation as a client, customer orpatient, and the violence occurs duringthe routine delivery of services. In somesettings the risk of assault or injury bycustomers or clients represents a realand ongoing threat in everyday work.

The type of violence most commonlythought of as “workplace violence” isType 3 and occurs among co-worker-to-co-worker violence. There are manyinstances in which this also involvesworker-to-supervisor, and in some casessupervisor-to-worker violence. Inacademic settings this may manifestitself as student-to-student or student-to-faculty violence. In Type 3workplace violence the perpetrator is acurrent or former employee (or student)of the organisation. The motivatingfactor is often one or a series ofinterpersonal or work/school-relatedconflicts, losses or traumas, and mayinvolve a sense of injustice orunfairness. Type 3 violence accounts forabout 7% of all workplace homicides,

and those in positions of authority areoften at the greatest risk of beingvictimised.

It is important to note that evenworkers or students who haveseparated from the organisation maystill represent a risk of violence in somesituations.

When violence and abuse follow aworker from home to work, it isconsidered Type 4 or “Intimate PartnerViolence.” It is important for employersto recognise that violence and abuse athome are not just personal problems;they can and do intrude into theworkplace, sometimes violently withtragic consequences. There are manycases each year, often involvingmultiple victims, when a former spouseor partner brings their violence oraggression to their partner’s workplace.The perpetrator may know theirpartner’s work hours, parking locationor other information that may makethem vulnerable.

The risk of violence increasessignificantly when one party attemptsto separate from the other. Type 4 violence is typically a spillover ofdomestic violence into the workplaceand refers to perpetrators who are notemployees or former employees of theaffected workplace. Women are moreoften targets. Hospital and health careenvironments may be particularlyvulnerable to Type 4 violence since theworkforce is likely to be predominantlyfemale. Lastly, in instances of Type 5 violence,the violent actor is an extremist of somesort who believes that violence isnecessary, justified or deserved in theirradical views. In such cases violence isdirected at an organisation, its peopleand/or property for ideological,religious or political reasons. Violence perpetrated by extremistenvironmental, animal rights, andother value-driven groups may fallwithin this category. In Type 5 violence, target selection isnot based on a sense of personal orprofessional injustice in the workplace,but rather rage against what thetargeted organisation does orrepresents. Hate crimes and terrorismare examples of Type 5 violenceespecially when they are directedagainst an organisation and itsemployees.

TRAINING POINTS

1. Does your church have a policy inplace for who is allowed to carryfirearms in church?

2. If you discover a church membercarrying a firearm unlawfully, whatis your church’s position in pressingcharges against that member?

3. How will your team/leadershiphandle the situation should it arise?

4. It appears many people (other thansecurity personnel) do notunderstand self defense law.

The law does not protect you if youinvolve yourself in a situation,cause an escalation of violence, andthen shoot the person and claimself defense.

Do you know self defense law forSouth Africa?

5. If your team intervenes in adisturbance, should you have ateam member stay close andmonitor the situation?

6. I’m sure the last thing anyonethought about was an armedchurch member displaying a badgeand drawing a firearm.

If they had a team member closeby, could he have read thesituation, intervened and preventeda disaster?

7. Does your team have medicalequipment and training ready togo in case of a serious injury like agunshot wound?

8. There are interventions availablefor a gunshot wound that canmake a difference in survivability.Does your team have medicalsupplies readily available for anykind of medical emergency?

9. What kind of training do you do tode-escalate volatile situations? Inany situation there are bad, good,better and best solutions to solvinga problem, does your team havethe ability to assess and de-escalatea situation?

10. Do church members know there isa security team in place who willhandle situations?

Have your church members beenadvised to allow the team to handlevolatile situations?


•

History has shown that the traditionaluse of water as a means of emergencydecontamination, whilst beneficial, hasits serious limitations.

Chemical burns, depending on theconcentration and the duration of thecontact, can have irreversible andcatastrophic consequences.Diphoterine® provides a solution thatcan be more effective than currentpractices and if used in accordance withthe correct protocol can eliminateinjuries.

WHAT IS DIPHOTERINE® SOLUTION?

Although relatively new to SouthAfrica, Diphoterine® Solution is aproven product that has been usedextensively throughout Europe formore than 20 years and has beenshown to have a beneficial action onover 1 000 different chemicals to date.Furthermore, the French manufacturer,Prevor, has world class laboratories that

are able to testproducts

currently not listed amongst thechemicals already analysed to enableyou to have a single washing protocolfor all chemicals on site.

HOW IT WORKS

Diphoterine® has a chelating andneutralising action on chemical splashesto the eyes and skin.

It is a hypertonic, amphoteric,polyvalent washing fluid that rapidlyattracts and absorbs harmful molecules.

BENEFITS

The main benefits of rinsing withDiphoterine® Solution:

• Diphoterine® is a polyvalent productcapable of stopping 6 types ofchemical reactions caused by spills of:

Acids* and bases

Oxidising and reducing agents

Chelating agents

Solvents

• Diphoterine® will stop thepenetration of the chemical,unlike water or saline, whichonly dilutes and in some cases,

may react with the chemical

Diphoterine® Solutionshould be used as soon as

possible upon chemicalexposure and in sufficient

volume.

As the Diphoterine® Solution rapidlyrelieves pain, it is important to finishthe entire course of the unit used for aspecific body-part as it contains thetotal appropriate volume todecontaminate an area.

DECONTAMINATE THE SKIN

To decontaminate the skin, there aredifferent sizes of sprays according to thesplash surface (action within 60 secondsof contact):

• Entire Body: DAPD - a 5 litreautonomous portable shower

• Limb or Torso: MINI DAP - a 200ml spray can

• Hand or Face: MICRO DAP - a 100ml spray can.

For decontamination of the eye:

• Action within 10 seconds:LIS - a 50ml portable eyewash

• Action within 60 seconds:LPMD - a 500ml eyewash.

IDEAL USES

Diphoterine® Solution candramatically reduce workplace injuries.

The solutions are ideal for personnelworking in the mining, chemicalmanufacturers, oil refining,pharmaceutical, food producers,laboratories - any industry usingcorrosive and/or irritant chemicals.

Diphoterine® Solution is available inSouth Africa exclusively through PrismInter Africa.

IMPORTANT - NOTE: For risksconcerning hydrofluoric acid and itsderivatives, it will be necessary to useHexafluorine® Solution. Please contactus for more information.To read research papers, specific chemical laboratory tests,and testimonials please visit www.prevor.comFor more information on how to reduce workplace injurieswith Diphoterine® Solution contact us [email protected] or call 076 404 1885

Water has its limitations

The alternative solution to emergency decontaminationOne way to enhance your company’s Chemical Accident Response Management programme whilesafeguarding your employee’s well-being is by using the next-generation chemical splash treatment:Diphoterine® Solution.



ON THE JOB CASE STUDY

A subscriber to the system was recently at an Italianrestaurant, when the person making the pasta, got herfingers caught in the pasta making machine. Thesubscriber immediately tapped her Mobi-Claw app. Oncethe nature of the incident was determined, the correctemergency services were dispatched. In this case, the fireservices with their “jaws of life” freed the woman’s handfrom the pasta maker. The paramedics then stabilised herand the ambulance transported her to hospital. The

successful resolution to this situation was all thanks to a Mobi-Claw subscriberbeing at the right place, at the right time. After being witness to the swiftoutcome, several bystanders immediately signed up to the app.

•

Our lives are run by apps. We haveapps for weather, banking, socialmedia, diets etc., but how many of ushave apps for EMERGENCIES?

South Africa is a high-crime country,and this is the one app that we shouldall have on our phones.

The Mobi-Claw app has now beenavailable for over 15 months and coversall emergencies. With only one tap onyour phone, the correct emergency willbe dispatched to your assistance withinseconds.

In times of emergency, most of uswould become flustered and notremember the correct emergencytelephone number. With this app, youdon’t have to remember any number.

Hundreds of emergency serviceproviders, nationwide have signed upto join this system - be they police, firefighters, ambulance attendants etc.They have all been verified and arededicated to helping the nation.

I sat for an hour with Mike Myers andPaul Stone, Directors of the company,

and within that time 2 emergency callscame in. Within seconds of the alarmgoing off, service providers who are inthe area sign-in to indicate they are onstandby. Once the nature of the call hasbeen determined, the correct assistanceis dispatched to the subscriber. This ismonitored until the incident has beenresolved.

This is a service that everyone shouldconsider joining, especially if you have a

family - not only for medicalemergencies, but also for crime whichwe are all constantly exposed to.

We all know that in the event of abreak-in, we are all resistant to phoningthe SAPS, and rather phone our privatesecurity companies which we hope willrespond quickly, whereas Mobi-Clawwill make sure someone is dispatchedimmediately, and follow-up to makesure that you are being helped.

Speedy resolutions to emergency situations

For further information go to www.mobi-claw.com


•

still required to keep their PersonalLearning Portfolios (PLPs) up to date.

Members may be absent fromoccupational hygiene practice for amaximum of two years. If members donot formally advise SAIOH that theyhave been re-employed in anoccupational hygiene role, theirprofessional membership will berevoked and downgraded to generalmembership.

All normal fees will be payable duringthe non-practice period to retainprofessional registration status.

Non-payment of fees will lead tomembership status being revoked.

SAIOH SUPPORTS A-OSH EXPO 2017

SAIOH will be participating in andexhibiting at A-OSH Expo 2017,Africa’s leading occupational healthand safety exhibition, which will beheld from 30 May to 1 June, at theGallagher Convention Centre,Johannesburg.

SAIOH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017

Please make a note of the dates of theSAIOH Annual Conference: 25 to 27October 2017, at a venue in Gauteng(to be advised).

Submission by:

Kenneth Hlungwane, SAIOH President2017

Julie Hills, SAIOH Vice President 2017

Kate Smart, SAIOH Chief AdministrativeOfficer

ClaudinaNogueira, SAIOH CouncilMember Portfolios: Liaison andCommunication & Marketing

E-mail: [email protected]: +27 71 672 491Website: www.saioh.co.za

OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE - SAIOH

Report from the SAIOH President and Council Members

News from SAIOH

must formally notify the SAIOHAdministration Office of their intent to“suspend” their membership so thatnotice is made on their profile.

The member can resign his/herregistration and remain anunregistered or general SAIOHmember, but will need to re-sit thecertification assessment later if he/shewants to re-enter the profession.

However, if the member wishes to stayregistered during this period (notactively practising occupationalhygiene on a full-time basis), he/she isrequired to pay the annualmembership fees, thus ensuring thatthey are not suspended due tooutstanding fees.

In terms of CPD points, thefollowing applies:

For each designation/certification type,there is a requirement for a certainnumber of CPD points to be achievedwithin a five-year period. Hence, ifmembers are not active for a certainperiod of time, they still have theopportunity, during their active years(within the designated five-yearperiod), to ensure that the “missing”points are obtained.

CPD points can also be achieved by“stock piling”, bearing in mind thatthere is a maximum number of pointsthat can be achieved each year.

Members may still need some points toensure that they do not lose theirprofessional registration in the comingyears. Members would therefore needto participate in occupational hygieneactivities to make up the deficit in thetotal number of CPD points required.

Examples of such activities areattending local branch meetings,mentorship support, participating inonline quizzes, and writing questionsfor the assessment database.

These activities enable the allocation ofa few CPD points towards the totalnumber required in a designated five-year period, for each year of non-practice.

Members are reminded that they are

The SAIOH Strategy Session 2017was held at SAIOH’s Head Office inBroadacres on 27 January, where theSAIOH five-year strategic plan,mission, vision and values wererevisited to ensure that planned andongoing activities remain aligned withSAIOH key objectives.

The SAIOH key objective for 2016, to“Build Capacity”, speaks to therestructuring of the branches which isstill in progress and will be carried overto 2017.

SAIOH’s mission statement for 2017is “To entrench excellence andcompetence for Occupational Hygieneprofessionals”, and SAIOH is in theprocess of developing some offeringsfor its members in terms of training invarious facets of occupational hygiene.These initiatives will be communicatedto interested parties in due course.

SAIOH REFRESHER - TAKING ACAREER BREAK FROMOCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE

The members of the ProfessionalCertification Committee (PCC)continue to develop new procedures toensure that all potential situations arecovered, and aim to answer memberqueries as comprehensibly as possible.

One question that the PCC regularlyreceives relates to SAIOH membershipand Continuing ProfessionalDevelopment (CPD) points when oneretires or takes a career break.

The following procedure is detailed inthe SAIOH chapter and guide onCPD points:

Career Breaks

SAIOH is mindful that members mayfind themselves out of work for aperiod of time, may opt to take timeout of the occupational hygieneprofession, or may retire from full timepractice.

If SAIOH members, regardless of theirdesignation/certification level, want topursue interests in another field, planto take full or semi-retirement, or areunemployed for a period of time, they


•

SAIOH PROGRAMME 2017

SAIOH has finalised the dates and times for the Council,Liaison Forum and the Department of Labour (DoL) Liaisonmeetings for 2017, which are indicated below.

Meeting Venue Date and Time

SAIOH-DoL Liaison SAIOH Head Office, Broadacres Thursday 30 March, 11h00-13h00

SAIOH Liaison Forum SAIOH Head Office, Broadacres Thursday 30 March, 13h30 -15h00

SAIOH-DoL Liaison DoL Head Office, Pretoria Monday 5 June, 12h00 -14h00

SAIOH Liaison Forum SAIOH Head Office, Broadacres Friday 14 July 11h00 -14h00

SAIOH-DoL Liaison DoL Head Office, Pretoria Friday 22 September, 12h00 -14h00

SAIOH-DoL Liaison SAIOH Head Office, Broadacres Friday 1 December 11h00 -13h00

SAIOH Liaison Forum SAIOH Head Office, Broadacres Friday 1 December, 13h30 -15h00

SAIOH Council Meetings SAIOH Head Office, Broadacres Friday 31 March,Friday 26 May,Friday 4 August,Friday 30 November,09h00 - 15h00


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With only a few months into the newyear, and already too many accidentsare happening around the world. Hereare just a few to consider.

SOUTH KOREA

A working mother died at theworkplace shortly after resuming 12-hour workdays following hermaternity leave. She had returned frommaternity leave only a week before herdeath and immediately went back toworking 12-hour days.

She returned to the office on theSaturday. The next day, she was thereagain at five in the morning to finishearly and take care of her children laterin the day when she suffered a fatalheart attack.

Her death has prompted soul-searching over the difficulties faced byoverburdened and exhausted workingmothers in a deeply workaholic andmale-dominated society.

CANADA

A 51-year-old man died after fallingfrom the third floor of a buildingunder-construction. A piece of plywoodlifted by a strong gust of windslammed into him. The impact pushedhim over a railing.

The family are now motivating thattethers must be mandatory for allworkers and site closures duringextreme weather.

AUSTRALIA

Melbourne

A 65 year old delivery driver died whenhe was run over by his truck at astorage depot in Tullamarine. He wasbelieved to have been at the rear of hisvehicle at the time of the incident.

A farmer suffered serious head injurieswhen he was struck by a tractor whileundertaking maintenance work on hisfarm He later died in hospital.

Victoria

A bakery in Altona North was fined

$40,000 after a worker’s fingertipswere amputated by a machine while hewas filling pastries with custard. Thecourt found that the company failed toprovide and maintain a safe plant andfailed to provide appropriateinformation, instruction, training andsupervision. The court heard that oneof the worker’s tasks was to manuallyrefill the machine because the fillerpump was broken. The court was toldthat the company was aware themachine had been malfunctioning allday and decided to keep it in operation.After noticing that the custard was notdispensing equally into the pastrycasings, the worker reached into themachine to clear a blockage. His handbecame stuck and the tips of three ofhis fingers were amputated.

A 69-year-old man who suffered criticalhead injuries after falling four metres ata construction site at Merricks Northon the Mornington Peninsula died inhospital from his injuries.

A 52-year-old worker was crushed by aload of steel which fell from a forklift ata scrap metal yard at Foster in SouthGippsland.

Queensland

A man at a meat works had his headcaught in cattle ramps. The worker wasrushed to hospital with head and facialinjuries.

MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur

One worker was killed and anotherinjured following an accident at theSemantan work site of the Mass RapidTransit (MRT) line. The workers wereon the ground assembling reinforcingbars cage. During the assembly, the tiegave way. The rebars (cluster of longsteel rods each weighing 40kg) fell andhit the workers killing one.

UNITED STATES

Arlington

The Mine Safety and HealthAdministration issued a Fatal Accidents

Alert in response to the deaths of twominers that occurred within 24 hoursof each other. Both fatalities involvedminers working alone in restricted areaswith hazardous conditions. In the firstincident, a miner was found in anunderground limestone mine undermaterial that had fallen from a ribpillar. The area of the mine in whichthe incident had occurred wasbarricaded from entry due to poor roofand rib conditions, according toMSHA. One day later, a miner wasfound entangled near a conveyor beltdrive in a coal mine.

Chicago

Orlando Park firefighters responded toan emergency call when a man’s fingershad been caught in a food meatgrinder. The accident happened as theman, a grocery store worker wasprocessing meat. Firefighters on thescene couldn’t free the man withoutcausing more injuries to his hand.Instead, the first responders set to workdissembling the machinery down to itssmallest component so the man couldbe taken to the hospital. The fire crewthen assisted the emergency room staffat the hospital by using a mini versionof the Jaws of Life.

Maryland

A serious construction accident resultedin the death of a 19-year-oldconstruction worker. The femaleemployee was working in a 4.5-metrehole when she was crushed by abackhoe’s digger. The operator of thebackhoe was unaware that the otherworker was in the hole at the time hedropped the machine’s apparatus.

Missouri

A worker died in an accident on ahighway construction site. A 38-year-old Missouri man was at the job site inMinnesota helping unload a largemetal pipe from the trailer of a truck.For reasons that are unclear, the1155kg pound pipe became dislodgedand fell on top of him. Workersadministered first aid immediately untilparamedics arrived. However, theworker was pronounced dead shortlythereafter.

Around the world in 4 months


•

New styles for the Rebel range of work bootsA trusted brand for more than a decade


NEW RIGGER BOOT A tough, metal free, water resistantRigger Boot, to take on the harshest risksthat the oil industry can throw at it.

It is heat resistant too.

What more could you ask for?

NEW LADIES CHELSEA BOOT Expanding on our focused ladies rangeof safety footwear, the brand newladies Chelsea offers a capable workboot with a glamorous touch.

We can’t wait to see theresponse for thisone…

NEW LADIES LIGHT INDUSTRIAL SHOE Lightweight, sturdy and hi-tech.

A lady’s shoe that will grace anyoffice or factory floor.

MEMBER OF

FX2 CHELSEA BOOT An attractive addition to the ever-popularFX2 range, now with a steel midsole andgreat pricing.

CLASSIC CHELSEA BOOT A new level in fashionable safetyfootwear, with a distinctive low profileformal boot with a sleek look.

A versatile option in our Classic work boot range available with orwithout steel toe-cap,in black and brown.

JIGGA BOOT Now re-engineered to protect against arc-flash and high-voltage risks, as well as high heat environments.

The new Jigga is now completelymetal free, providingextra assurance in high-voltage environments.

REBEL Work Boots have been a trusted benchmark in safetyfootwear for more than a decade, incorporating a range ofquality, styling and safety features with refined design forexceptional comfort and durability.

With ISO 20345 and SABS certification, the REBEL rangeprovides protection and satisfaction to customers acrossSouthern Africa. We have been hard at work designing anddeveloping some new styles for you.

To explore our full range visit us online: www.rebelsafetygear.com

Visit us at A-OSH Expo 2017 where we’ll be showcasing our currentand new range.

We hope that you have as much fun wearing them, as we had designing them!


CONTENTSIn this issue, we wish HASLAC a very happy 20th birthday. Started 2 decades ago by Louis...

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Transcript of CONTENTSIn this issue, we wish HASLAC a very happy 20th birthday. Started 2 decades ago by Louis...