GUIDELINES FOR MANDATORY CODES OF PRACTICE
The following guidelines for mandatory Codes of Practice have been published:
1. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMME
Title: Mine Health and Safety Act (29/1996): guideline for a mandatory code of practice (COP) for an Occupational Health Programme (occupational hygiene and medical surveillance) on thermal stress
Government Notice: GN R146 in GG 39656 of 5 February 2016
Date of commencement: 1 July 2016
A guideline for the compilation of a mandatory COP for an Occupational Health Programme has been published. This guideline assists employers with the establishment of an Occupational Health Programme, but does not stipulate specific requirements for specific circumstances. It sets out a basic system for managing risk to health. The first component of any management system is finding out what the situation is, and secondly deciding what to do about it. The guideline indicates the required format and contents of such a COP.
2. MINIMUM STANDARDS OF FITNESS TO PERFORM WORK ON A MINE
Title: Mine Health and Safety Act (29/1996): guideline for a mandatory code of practice (COP) on the minimum standards of fitness to perform work on a mine
Government Notice: GN R147 in GG 39656 of 5 February 2016
Date of commencement: 30 June 2016
A guideline for the compilation of a mandatory COP on the minimum standards of fitness to perform work on a mine has been published. This guideline has been drafted to assist Occupational Medical Practitioners in determining fitness to perform specified work at a mine or entity that reports under Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996, or to continue to perform such work. The guideline indicates the required format and contents of such a COP.
3. RIGHT TO REFUSE DANGEROUS WORK AND LEAVE DANGEROUS WORKING PLACES
Title: Mine Health and Safety Act (29/1996): guideline for a mandatory code on the right to refuse dangerous work (RRDW) and right to leave dangerous working places (RLDWP)
Government Notice: GN R148 in GG 39656 of 5 February 2016
Date of commencement: 1 July 2016
A guideline for the compilation of a mandatory COP on the right to refuse dangerous work and leave dangerous working places has been published. The objective of this guideline is to assist the employer, in consultation with the health and safety committee at the mine, with the drafting of a COP including a procedure to be followed by the employees, health and safety representatives, and employers in the exercise of the RRDW and RLDWP. The guideline indicates the required format and contents of such a COP.
4. MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL INCAPACITY DUE TO ILL-HEALTH AND INJURY
Title: Mine Health and Safety Act (29/1996): guideline for a mandatory code for the management of medical incapacity due to ill-health and injury
Government Notice: GN R149 in GG 39656 of 5 February 2016
Date of commencement: 31 May 2016
A guideline for the compilation of a mandatory COP for the management of medical incapacity due to ill-health and injury has been published. This guideline has been drafted to assist Occupational Medical Practitioners (OMP’s), Safety Health & Environment consultants (SHE) and Human Resource Consultants in managing employees with medical incapacity in mining. The guideline indicates the required format and contents of such a COP.
“So what” for my operation?
It is important for your operation to ensure that your operation adheres to the requirements of this guideline. A new or revision to an existing COP related to the above mentioned topics may be required and related policies, risk assessments/ surveys, standards and procedures may also be affected. If your operation does not comply with this guideline, a fine or imprisonment can be imposed.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Shangoni assist organisations with the development and review of COPs and supporting documents to ensure that such is aligned with the guidelines as well as organisation’s practices.
