By Neil Enslin, Occupational Health and Safety Manager Those writing fall protection plans must understand the hazards of harness hang syndrome in fall protection. Working at height forms an integral part of the construction industry, and proper fall protection equipment is imperative when it comes to getting the job done efficiently and safely. The dangers […]
The size of the droplet / aerosol is critical The airborne virus is not naked and the size of the carrier drop or aerosol defines transport: how long it stays afloat, how far it can travel, how quickly it falls to surfaces, where it deposits in the respiratory system and how efficiently it is removed […]
Pandemics manifest in various ways, impacting all of us and leaving behind pain, suffering and disbelief. Not only is the coronavirus on the rampage, but Britain has in the past year experienced more than 2 000 asbestos-related deaths especially in construction related industries. For many years, asbestos was used in almost every public and commercial […]
South Africa has one of the worst overall motor vehicle accident (MVA) rates in the world, according to the latest World Health Organization’s road safety report published in 2018. The report revealed that there are around 1 million accidents per year and 31.9% fatalities per 100 000 people. Deon Bester, Occupational Health and Safety Manager […]
The Institute for Work at Height (IWH) was initially formed as a trade association in January 2009, being a merger of the Specialised Access Engineering Manufacturers Association (SAEMA) and the Rope Access And Fall Arrest Association (RAFAA), desirous of creating safety awareness and in turn “professionalism in the overall Work At Height Industry”. Soon other […]
In this tough economic climate purchasing decisions are, in many cases, based on price alone. This is of major concern, as individuals with little understanding of the technical aspects behind a product such as handrailing can unwittingly compromise the safety of people. Dean Weil, Operations Executive of Mentis Africa, cautions those making this type of […]
Frequency of cleaning/disinfection Workplaces to be cleaned daily. The frequency of cleaning will increase if: Workplace operates in shifts (clean between shifts). Equipment is shared (clean between uses). Disinfect when there is likelihood of contamination: Suspected/confirmed case of COVID-19 at the workplace. At workplaces with high volume of workers, customers or visitors that are likely […]
Latest epidemiological models have revealed that the COVID-19 infection peak in the Western Cape will take place from late July through early August. This is both longer and flatter than anticipated, said Premier Alan Winde. Although this will assist with the capacity of the healthcare system, it means that the worst of the pandemic is […]
Department of Employment and Labour Under section 40 (3) (b) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No 85 of 1993, as amended), I, Tibor Szana, appointed as chief inspector in terms of section 27 (1) of the said Act, and by virtue of the powers delegated to me by the Minister of […]
Hierarchy of Controls Elimination: Physically remove the hazard Substitution: Replace the hazard Engineering Controls: Isolate people from the hazard Administrative Controls: Change the way people work Personal Protective Equipment: Protect the worker with PPE HAZARD: Transport to work RISK Company transport: Lack of social distancing, transport with ill people, unsanitary vehicle and poor ventilation in […]