GUIDELINE FOR THE COMPILATION OF A MANDATORY CODE OF PRACTICE FOR AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMME (OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE AND MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE) ON PERSONAL EXPOSURE TO AIRBORNE POLLUTANTS ISSUED
Title: Guideline for the Compilation of a Mandatory Code of Practice for an Occupational Health Programme (Occupational Hygiene and Medical Surveillance) on Personal Exposure to Airborne Pollutants
Government Gazette Notice: GN 419 in GG 41561 of 6 April 2018
Commencing date: 30 April 2018
The Chief Inspector of Mines issued the abovementioned guideline in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 (“MHSA”) on 6 April 2018. The aim of this guideline is to assist employers to draft a Code of Practice (“COP”) for an occupational health programme which measures occupational exposures to airborne pollutants aimed at ensuring compliance with occupational exposure limits, protecting worker health and linking these exposure results to employee medical records.
The new guideline replaces the “Guideline for the compilation of a mandatory COP for an occupational health programme on personal exposure to airborne pollutants with reference number DME 1613/2/4-Al” published by the Department of Mineral Resources (“DMR”) in 2002.
How to ensure compliance at my operation?
Section 9(3) of the MHSA provides that COPs must comply with any relevant guideline issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines. Failure by the employer to prepare or implement a COP in compliance with the applicable guideline constitutes a breach of the MHSA.
For organisations, current COPs relating to occupational health programmes on personal exposure to airborne pollutants should therefore be reviewed and updated to comply with the requirements of this new guideline. Changes to the COP may affect the following aspects of an organisation’s management system:
• Existing risk assessment, including the risk rating of hygiene related aspects;
• Occupational monitoring plans and platforms;
• Occupational reporting; and
• Homogeneous Exposure Groups.
Related policies, standards and procedures affected should also be reviewed and updated.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Shangoni can assist with the integration of the revised COP requirements into your organisations management system, processes and associated documents. This will ensure that such is aligned with the new guideline and that current operational practices are compliant.
For more information or assistance please contact Corrie Potgieter corrie@shangoni.co.za
