Lead is a heavy metal naturally present in the earth’s crust and was widely utilised in construction and plumbing for many years due to its distinctive properties. However, in the late 19th century, it was discovered that lead is highly [...]
Illumination in the workplace in South Africa is governed by the Machinery and Occupational Safety Act, 1983 (Act 6 of 1983), updated on 7 March 2003. An illumination assessment is a careful examination of the illumination conditions in a work environment. [...]
Hazardous chemical substances are found in most workplaces and include, amongst others, cleaning and disinfectant agents, paints, pesticides, and fuels. The term ‘hazardous chemical substance’ refers to any toxic, harmful, corrosive, irritant or asphyxiant substance or, a mixture of substances, [...]
Hazardous biological agents, as defined under the Regulations for Hazardous Biological Agents, OHS Act (85 of 1993), means any micro-organism, cell culture or human endoparasite, including any which have been genetically modified, which may cause any infection, allergy or toxicity, [...]
In addition to lung cancer and mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can also cause cancer of the larynx and ovary. Current evidence also suggests asbestos exposure may cause cancer of the pharynx, stomach, and colorectum. Enlargement of the heart can also occur [...]
Asbestos-related diseases – the silent killers Asbestos is the term used when describing a specific group of minerals containing magnesium-silicate fibres. Coined as the ‘magic mineral’, it possesses a natural fire-resistant property making it ideal for flooring, roofing, and thermal [...]
Ensuring adequate ventilation in the workplace through regulated inspections Poor indoor air quality can result in serious and minor health issues, reduced productivity and increased absenteeism of employees. It can be caused by a great range of factors, including: Bacteria [...]
Noise is a common hazard and is present to some extent in almost all workplaces. It is the most common health hazard in industries such as entertainment, manufacturing, agriculture, ship-building, textiles, mining and quarrying, food and drink, woodworking, metal working [...]
ADEQUATE VENTILATION IS SUFFICIENT TO HELP REDUCE AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19: What exactly is ventilation? The process of exchanging contaminated indoor air with fresh air from outside the building is referred to as ventilation. It might be [...]
Hazardous Biological Agents Hazardous biological agents, as defined under the Regulations for Hazardous Biological Agents, OHS Act (85 of 1993), means any micro-organism, cell culture or human endoparasite, including any which have been genetically modified, which may cause any infection, [...]
The reality is that large quantities of asbestos-containing materials or ACMS were used in the South Africa in the construction of buildings until as recently as 1999, when the then Labour government banned the use of these materials across the country. Indeed, some figures reveal [...]
Asbestos surveys are a legal requirement in many circumstances. This means working or occupying a building without one could be breaking the law. When do you need one, and when don't you need one? You can find out when [...]
"Moving towards an asbestos risk-free work environment and society" The new Asbestos Abatement Regulations 2020 replaces the Asbestos Regulations, 2001 and was done in partnership with National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH). The DEL Minister published the Asbestos Abatement Regulations [...]
Asbestos Surveys An inside look at Asbestos Asbestos is a highly heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral that can be woven into fabrics, and is used in brake linings and in fire-resistant and insulating materials. It has six sub-classifications: chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, [...]
What is lead? Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal often used in the manufacturing of common industrial and building materials. It is a soft, malleable metal known for its high resistance to chemical corrosion. Additionally, buildings built prior [...]
