SHEQ January-February 2015

safety

|

h e a lt h

|

environmental issues

|

quality

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 | R70.00

SHEQ m a n a g e m e n t sheqmanagement.com

IRCA Global’s train lane goes both ways

EXCLUSIVE! New series by international safety expert No pain and suffering compensation for road-accident victims?

250 000 t of e-waste illegally dumped in western Africa!

Conversation: the lifeblood of leadership

b

| SHEQ management

????????????????

CONTENTS EDITOR Charleen Clarke Cell: 083 601 0568 email: charleen@charmont.co.za ASSISTANT EDITOR Jaco de Klerk Cell: 079 781 6479 email: jaco@charmont.co.za SUB-EDITOR Jeanette Lamont Cell: 083 447 3616 email: jeanette@charmont.co.za JOURNALIST Claire Rencken Cell: 082 559 8417 email: journalist2@charmont.co.za CONTRIBUTORS Albert Mushai email: albert.mushai@wits.ac.za Andrew Sharman email: info@rydermarshsharman.com PUBLISHER Tina Monteiro Cell: 082 568 3181 email: tina@charmont.co.za ADVERTISING SALES Barend van Wyk 082 885 9042 advertising@charmont.co.za Elsie van Wyk 072 827 2913 elsie@charmont.co.za CIRCULATION MANAGER Bev Rogers Cell: 078 230 5063 email: bev@charmont.co.za DESIGN AND LAYOUT Nelio da Silva email: nelio@charmont.co.za © Copyright. No articles or photographs may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without specific written permission from the editor. In the interests of preserving the environment, SHEQ MANAGEMENT is printed on environmentally friendly paper, using soya-based ink. www.sheqmanagement.com

charmont media global

Follow us facebook.com/SHEQMagazine twitter @SHEQMagazine

Features

KEEP ON TRAINING 20 IRCA Global has offices worldwide. Besides a diverse footprint, the company offers a wide range of systems, products and services for risk management in the safety, health, environmental and quality-driven industries. SHEQ MANAGEMENT sees what role education, training, research and development play within the company.

250 000 T OF E-WASTE PER ANNUM! WHERE MUST IT GO? 22 Technology has catapulted humanity’s development by enhancing our productivity and making life a whole lot easier … but it doesn’t come without its perils! Electronic waste is a lot more dangerous than one could ever imagine …

QUALITY LEADERS BREED QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS 28 According to a paper compiled by Development Dimensions International, conversations are the lifeblood of leadership. When leaders are adept at conversations, they do much more than communicate effectively – they drive stronger business results.

MORE THAN 7 500 INJURIES! WHAT IS TO BE DONE? 30 The construction industry is a massive cog in any country’s economy, but this high-risk sector doesn’t come without its costs in terms of injuries … SHEQ MANAGEMENT talks to those in the know to determine what can be done to reduce the risks.

NO MORE CANARIES DOWN COAL MINES 38 Most of us know how gas detection works today – particularly in the mining industry, but do we understand how it has evolved over time? We investigate.

Regulars

Editor’s letter SHEQ Sound Off Letters News Sharman on Safety Legally Speaking For Safety Sake Subscription Form

2 4 6 8 12 16 39 40

| SHEQ management

Published alternate monthly by Charmont Media Global Unit 17, Northcliff Office Park, 203 Beyers Naude Drive, Northcliff, 2195.

P O Box 957, Fontainebleau, 2032, South Africa Tel: 011 782 1070 Fax: 011 782 1073/0360

1

ed’s letter

thought Food for

of ours. In fact, according to the Food and

cannot master the information and skills

Agriculture Organisation of the United

they are taught in school,” says Bloom.

Nations, 805 million people around the world go hungry.

Charleen Clarke

This month’s column concerns a subject that is extremely close to my heart: food!

S | SHEQ management

the reasons for this sorry situation.

Closer to home, this problem is

According to the Centre for Scientific

massive. According to Claire Bloom,

and Industrial Research (CSIR), 30

ex-United States (US) Navy officer, who is

to 50 percent of food produced on a

founder and executive director of End 68

global basis is wasted before it reaches

Hours of Hunger (a US-based non-profit

consumers. It is estimated that South

organisation that fights childhood hunger),

Africa generates over nine million tonnes

childhood hunger – or food insecurity – is

of food waste per year. “This also results

a national problem. “After a while, children

in environmental impacts throughout the

who receive insufficient food on a regular

supply chain, as well as the waste of

basis, or miss entire meals, experience

resources used in food production and

‘fear of hunger’, which affects their

distribution,” explains Bloom.

behaviour as much as physical hunger affects their bodies,” she says.

Meanwhile,

the

lackadaisical

approach to quality control on the

Bloom will visit South Africa later this

part of local food companies is a

ome people eat to live. Yours

year to present a workshop on ending

worry. This is not exclusively a South

truly, on the other hand, lives

childhood hunger at the SAPICS 2015

African problem: in the early 1990s,

to eat. I have an unhealthy

conference, taking place from May 31 to

US fast food chain, Jack in the Box,

obsession with food: I simply

June 2 at Sun City.

sold hamburgers contaminated with

adore the stuff.

2

Poor food distribution is one of

According to Bloom, 19 percent of

E. coli bacteria. Hundreds of people got

But I am in a privileged position. I am

South African children have no breakfast,

sick as a result and four children died.

seldom hungry. If I am, it’s because I am

and 51 percent have no lunch. “Some

It is estimated that the company lost

on deadline and I don’t have time to eat.

800 000 of these children are under the

US$ 160 million.

I have never starved because I cannot

age of five, and the malnutrition they

afford to buy food.

Closer

to

home,

some

other

experience has a profound impact on their

operational gaps have been made

Sadly, this situation doesn’t apply to

future. When children are hungry, they

evident in two recent cases. One saw

everyone on this overburdened planet

cannot learn, and, if they cannot learn, they

Tiger Brands having to recall around

EDITOR’S LETTER 17 000 of its Tastic Simply Delicious cooking sauces and rice products after tests found traces of potentially carcinogenic ingredients. Tiger Brands reported it had found traces of the colourants methyl yellow and Sudan 1 in some of the products made between June and July 2014 at a factory in India. While the full cost of the recall is unknown, the company’s share value took a slight knock at the time.

The jury is still out on retailer Woolworths surrounding three recent food issues. First, a dead frog was found in a Woolworths lettuce pack; then a roach was found in a pack of its own-label noodles; and, later, a live frog was found in a pack of lettuce.

Woolworths is claiming sabotage, but, as Amanda Rogaly, MD of FoodSure, says: “Whether it’s sabotage or a fault in the food processes used by the retailer, what we have here are operational gaps. While food retailers and manufacturers are doing all they can to comply with necessary food standards, they cannot always be aware of the weaknesses in their operational procedures.”

FoodSure is a food label verification company, which provides independent checks and balances for retailers and manufacturers to reduce the risk associated with non-compliance.

FoodSure is working with Ronel Arnold, a leading consultant in South Africa. “There are some food companies that are very serious about how they operate, although in South Africa we do tend to have a ‘wait and see’ attitude. We’re waiting to see are perhaps not taking enough preventative action now,” she tells SHEQ MANAGEMENT. This is scary stuff! It is clear that this country is facing major challenges on the food front … | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

which company will be hit the hardest by a food scare and we

3

SHEQ SOUND OFF

Is increased greenhouse gas a dire situation?

Well, not in Africa – 14 700 years ago!

Jaco de Klerk

New research has found that, thousands of years ago, an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations was a key factor in causing substantially more rainfall in two major African regions. It provides evidence that the current increase in GHG will also have an important impact on our continent’s future climate …

proves that, over the next two decades,

African Humid Period (AHP) as it saw

the world faces a substantially increased

desert areas turn into savannas.

risk of a major slowdown in the growth

The puzzling part was why these

of global crop yields as a result of climate

conditions were seen in two different

change.)

regions at the same time; one north of the

This is in the “short run”, however.

equator and one to the south. Previous

The new study: Coherent changes

studies had suggested that, in northern

of

and

Africa, the AHP was triggered by a

northern African rainfall during the last

20 000-year cyclic wobble in Earth’s orbit,

deglaciation, led by the United States-

which resulted in increased summertime

based National Centre for Atmospheric

heating north of the equator. (In contrast,

Research (NCAR), takes things to a

the northern hemisphere today is closest

whole new level …

to the Sun in winter rather than summer.)

south-eastern,

equatorial

To predict the future impact of GHG

It’s believed that the summertime heating

on rainfall in Africa, the research drew

would have warmed the land in such a

on advanced computer simulations and

way that it strengthened the monsoon

analyses of sediments of past climate.

winds from the ocean and enhanced

“The future impact of greenhouse gases

rainfall.

on rainfall in Africa is a critical socio-

Otto-Bliesner points out that the

economic issue,” says NCAR scientist

orbital pattern, alone, would not explain

Bette Otto-Bliesner, the lead author.

the simultaneous onset of the AHP in

“Africa’s climate seems destined to

south-eastern equatorial Africa, south

change, with far-reaching implications

of the equator, since the wobble in the

for water resources and agriculture.”

Earth’s orbit led to less summertime

| SHEQ management

In the past, as the ice sheets that

4

heating there, rather than more.

covered large parts of North America

Instead, the study reveals the role of

and northern Europe started to melt

two other factors: a change in Atlantic

HG emissions have long

(around 21 000 years ago), Africa’s

Ocean circulation, which rapidly boosted

been branded a destroyer

climate responded in an interesting

rainfall in the region, and a rise in GHG

of the environment. Many

way … Following a long dry spell, during

concentrations that helped enhance

research papers have proved

the peak of the last glacial period, the

rainfall across a wide strip of Africa.

that they could, and probably would, end

amount of rainfall in Africa suddenly

This came about as planet Earth

life as we know it …

increased – starting around 14 700 years

emerged from the last Ice Age. GHGs,

(In SHEQ MANAGEMENT’s July/August

ago and continuing until approximately

especially carbon dioxide and methane,

2014 edition we featured a piece, which

5 000 years ago. This is known as the

increased significantly (almost reaching

G

SHEQ SOUND OFF northern, equatorial and eastern Africa.

they simulated past climate with the

When the ice sheets stopped melting,

NCAR-based Community Climate System

the circulation became stronger again,

Model, a powerful global climate model

The authors note that this was the

bringing rainfall back into south-eastern,

developed by a broad community of

most recent time during which natural

equatorial and northern parts of Africa.

researchers, which uses supercomputers

global warming was associated with an

This change, coupled with the orbital

at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

increase in GHG concentrations. (Because

shift and the warming caused by the

By comparing the proxy records with

of feedbacks between the two, GHG

increasing GHGs, is what triggered the

the computer simulations, the study

concentrations and global temperature

AHP.

demonstrates that the climate model

ago – for reasons that are not yet fully understood.

To piece this puzzle together, the

got the AHP right. This helps to validate

researchers drew on fossil pollen,

its role in predicting how rising GHG

The end of the last Ice Age also

evidence of former lake levels and other

concentrations might change rainfall

triggered an influx of fresh water into the

proxy records indicating past moisture

patterns in a highly populated and

ocean, from melting ice sheets in North

conditions. They focused their work on

vulnerable part of the world.

America and Scandinavia, about 17 000

northern Africa (the present day Sahel

“Normally, climate simulations cover

years ago. The fresh water interfered

region encompassing Niger, Chad, and

perhaps a century or take a snapshot of

with a critical circulation pattern, in

also northern Nigeria) and south-eastern

past conditions,” Otto-Bliesner points

which heat and salt were transported

equatorial Africa (the largely forested

out. “A study like this one, which disects

northward through the Atlantic Ocean.

area of today’s eastern Democratic

why the climate evolved as it did over

This weakened circulation led to Africa’s

Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and

this intriguing 10 000-year period, is

rainfall shifting toward its southernmost

much of Tanzania and Kenya).

more than I thought I would ever see in

often rise and fall together across climate history.)

point, with it being suppressed in

In addition to the proxy records,

What is SHEQsys?

SHEQsys is an online web-application, which allows users and managers to log, investigate, report and determine trends of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality related activities. It does this through the use of smaller modules which all work individually, or together, in an easy to navigate web interface with in-built wizards to assist users in operating the system.

Modules SHEQsys is the framework, the modules are the tools you plug into it. This basically means that SHEQsys can be scaled to meet your needs, now or later.

Reports Extensive reporting capabilities are included, across all modules of SHEQsys, from basic listings, to full graphical analysis. Custom filters can be applied and the results are often colour-coded for easy identification.

Email Notifications Throughout SHEQsys, email notifications will be sent to relevant people when events take place.

Installation No installation on user’s computers is required as SHEQsys is a web-application, which can be hosted on our dedicated server.

Contact Please contact us if you would like to know more, or if you would like to request a demonstration, or evaluation system.

Telephone: +27-011-8497053, +27-082-4432281 Website: www.SHEQsys.com Email: info@SHEQsys.com

my career.” | SHEQ

Innovation

Users can log; investigate and implement innovations and ideas which save time; money or improve SHEQ.

Incident

Allows users to easily log Incidents of varying severity and level from Low Risk Potential Incidents and Near Misses to High Risk Incidents. Investigation is fully customisable and follows approval routes to ensure proper completion.

Audit

Conduct audits; inspections and surveys with customisable templates with percentage based scoring. Raise incidents or feedback directly from audit findings.

Feedback

All users can express constructive feedback whether negative or positive to keep open communication between different areas.

Trend Pareto Analysis

Generate Pareto analysis of production process defects or any quantifiable value.

Allowing you to easily identify common problems and correct them.

Call Report

Look after your customer/supplier relations by documenting meetings and assigning individuals to follow up outstanding requests.

Risk Assessment

Record process or system risks and provide proposed suggestions for improvement and reduced risk.

Document Control

Manage controlled company documents and ensure you always have the latest revision as well as access to historical revisions.

Calibration

Keep track of and maintain instrumentation calibration via a schedule with full calibration history.

| SHEQ management

pre-industrial levels) 11 000 years

5

SHEQ

MAIL Sustainability translates into good bottom-line economic sense

Addressing South Africa’s energy crisis

No longer simply the buzzword it once was, the concept of sustainability is now being enthusiastically embraced by forward-thinking companies. As part of their strategic trajectories, companies have realised they are going to have to do more – especially if they want their people and profits to stick around for the long haul. In particular, sustainability has been integrated into business strategy and operational practices.

Diagnosis is one thing; providing workable solutions another. More often than not, solutions demand input and insight from a specialist, who boasts a wealth of experience in this highly specialised field and is able to assess the current status of an organisation’s sustainability, and, consequently, develop a bespoke plan.

My own approach would involve what is termed the “six capitals” model.

It looks at the following aspects of a company:

• financial capital (profit/loss); • manufactured capital (e.g. buildings and equipment); • human capital (employees);

South Africa remains locked into an energy crisis. There is not enough power to run the country and there are delays in building new power stations. This is going to impact business and manufacturing, and is likely to lead to investment losses.

Businesses response – investing in generators – is short-sighted however; implementing a building management system (BMS) is a better long-term solution, especially as the benefits of Big Data and smart grids start to emerge.

With every piece of equipment within an organisation (in addition to a multitude of devices and sensors, injecting status reports and event-driven data streams into the cloud), there is an incredible opportunity to harness data to operate smarter, thereby optimising processes and facility systems according to key performance data and need.

Indeed, some BMS providers with global reach are creating platforms where clients can compare their facility’s performance to that of peers and industry benchmarks and also receive automated alerts when performance flags.

In terms of smart-grid benefits, many facilities, especially in the manufacturing sector, will become producerconsumers of energy, contributing to and drawing energy from a grid that is very different from the one we know today.

A BMS will help organisations keep track of usage and contributions, as energy consumption becomes an increasingly strategic component of profitability.

Like any long-term strategy, implementing a BMS and fully leveraging its functionality takes vision. While bottomline wins may motivate implementation of a BMS, energy conservation and smart management of scarce resources will also benefit the environment, driving benefits in terms of business sustainability.

• social capital (societal interaction); • natural capital (resources and environmental impacts); and • intellectual capital (e.g. intellectual property, processes and systems).

The end result is a complete overview covering all the factors that an organisation requires to do business.

The human factor is often the elephant in the room. When it comes to certain aspects of sustainability – typically those linked to climate change – one tends to come across the educated, the ignorant or uneducated, and those who are contrary just for the hell of it.

The uneducated or contrary will argue that sustainability is for the “greenies”; that it’s a craze centred on conspiracy and hype. What they fail to appreciate, is that sustainability has broad long-term applications that generate benefits for a wide spectrum of society.

In short, implementation is often a journey of convincing.

Tjaart Coetzee Associate director at MAC Consulting

| SHEQ management

Neil Cameron General manager of Johnson Controls Building Efficiency

6

SHEQ MAIL

Nanotech sterilisation – clean on a molecular level I would like to introduce a new development in the field of nanotechnology, called MonoFoil. It was developed to sterilise surfaces in surgical wards and intensive care units (ICUs) in hospitals. The product is not a chemical, but an antimicrobial solution.

The active ingredients are contained in an aqueous solution.

To understand the structure and operation of the product, visualise a string of molecules in the shape of a sword. The short “handle-end” attaches itself to any surface; for example, wood, metals, plastics or fabrics. The solution will adhere to the surface as a transparent and durable, antimicrobial film that will not transfer on contact with other surfaces.

The “long end” of the sword contains a molecule that has a positive electrical charge, which draws all negatively charged bacteria, viruses, algae and fungi from the air. As it has a sharp point, this end will penetrate the outer membrane of the organism, pulling it down on itself, thereby disintegrating the organism.

(The MonoFoil does this by discharging its electrical load when the organism reaches the positively charged molecule.)

This process is then repeated over and over again, creating a barrier against the transfer of illness-provoking organisms for more than a month.

We always find it difficult to comprehend the possibilities contained in products operating on this incredibly small scale. The organisms that I’ve mentioned are so small that they are

invisible when using a typical school microscope, let alone the product itself; of which you would need 500 000 to equal the diameter of a human hair!

The product has unlimited applications.

It is suited to all industries and places that have a high concentration of people – aeroplane cabins, trains, buses, shopping complexes, restaurant kitchens, schools, factories, hostels, mortuaries, hospitals and clinics, vegetable and flower cultivation tunnels, abattoirs and butcheries – to name just a few.

The integrity of the product has been tested and it has been certified by various international health authorities (even Boeing approved it).

John Howell CEO: ResCov

The Occupational Health and Safety Act states that employers must provide a working environment that doesn’t present risk to the health of employees … But it is virtually impossible to protect your workforce from all elements of the outside world.

Protect your family

Millions of harmful bacteria and odours spread on the surfaces we touch during the course of everyday-life.

Feel better at work

MonoFoil provides a shield of protection. Our technology is designed to physically inhibit the growth of odour causing bacteria and fungi (mould and mildew), which cause staining and discolouration between cleanings on treated surfaces. We have developed

By applying MonoFoil to surfaces in your kitchen, bathrooms and throughout the workplace you provide a long-lasting barrier of protection.

Feel better away from home John: 083 700 8931 | Email: john@rescov.co.za Charlotte: 081 705 9742 | Email: cem.ozonenet@gmail.com Andre: 061 418 1009

Office: 079 616 0463 Fax: 012 997 0276 Website: www.ozonenet.co.za

| SHEQ management

antimicrobial products to fit your unique office protection needs.

7

SHEQ

NEWS An expo by any other name …

“It’s been gratifying to see IFSEC

well-known Securex brand for this

South Africa and OSH Expo Africa

year’s show.

build reputations as world-class

The

Occupational

Safety

and

events that cater specifically to

Health (OSH) Expo will be rebranded

the South African and sub-Saharan

as African Occupational Safety and

African markets,” says Damion Angus,

Health (A-OSH) Expo, and will run

managing director of Montgomery.

concurrently with Securex.

“We are encouraged by the

“It was an opportunity to reposition

success to date of both shows, and

OSH Expo Africa under a new name

offers professionals and business

we believe that, under their new

to include a growing focus on

operators, from across a broad range

brand names, they will remain

environmental issues affecting safety

of industries, the opportunity to source

the most important expos in their

and health professionals, and to grow

new products, hear keynote seminars

respective sectors in the African

the brand in Africa,” explains Gary

and take part in exclusive networking

market going forward.”

Corin, managing director of Specialised

events tailored for the African market.

The security, safety, fire and

Exhibitions Montgomery.

protection exhibition – IFSEC South

This popular expo is aimed at the

Africa – is set to re-launch under the

African occupational health, safety

and

environmental

markets

and

Securex and A-OSH Expo will run from May 12 to 14, at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

Announcing LegalEasy 2.0 A Revolutionary Tool in Compliance Management Ensuring you are compliant and up to date without help is nearly impossible.

LegalEasy 2.0 is a powerful online web-based compliance system that provides an overview of your current position against legal compliance to any Act, Standard or best practices.

| SHEQ management

LegalEasy is a flexible set of software modules to be used as standalone tools or an integrated system which effectively manage all aspects of your organization’s management compliance needs.

8

I Compliance

Contact us to find out more

LexisNexis Compliance Building No 9, Harrowdene Office Park, 124 Western Service Road, Woodmead

+27 (0) 11 245 6500

www.lncompliance.co.za

compliance@lexisnexis.co.za CT019/14

NEWS

Free Ebola app International SOS has released

SOS’s educational material, which

a new mobile app designed to

has been translated into 21 local

help share its medical and travel

languages.

information on Ebola. The free

broadcasts are available and the

app is now available on iOS and

app includes access to the video:

Android devices. It provides online,

Ebola – What business travellers need

instant access to key sections from

to know.

International SOS’s dedicated Ebola

The

website.

website

Public

awareness

International dedicated

to

SOS Ebola

Doug Quarry, medical director

(www.internationalsos.com/ebola)

for information and analysis

has been made freely available to all,

at International SOS, says: “The

removing the normal requirement

ongoing

has

for membership access. This site

become a global health emergency,

currently has around 10 000 visitors

where

a day.

Ebola rapid

outbreak

communication

of advice and information is absolutely

critical.

We

Quarry says: “Every day, we

know

continue to get new calls from our

people want up-to-date, accurate

members who have questions on

information as quickly as possible.

Ebola. These might be calls from

They want it from a trusted source,

organisations with operations in

and they want it wherever they

western Africa, or from employees

are. We designed this app to help

sitting at their desks in Europe.

meet that demand.”

These members can get the

The app is part of a wider

latest, updated information from

International SOS communication

us, alongside easy access to the

initiative aimed at supporting

key facts. With our freely available

the global fight against Ebola.

website and the new Ebola app, the

Organisations in western Africa

wider public can now also access

and beyond are using International

this expertise.”

New technology for waste tyres The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa), has started to roll out the use of balers at two of its 23 operational depots – the first time that balers are being used for waste tyre management in Africa.

Stacking and transporting waste tyres is particularly difficult, due to their size and weight.

Balers are assisting this process by ensuring that the tyres can be easily loaded, transported and stored.

This is achieved by compressing the waste tyres into blocks, which are easily loaded with a forklift, and stacked on transporter trucks. The increased space means that a truck can take 34 t of baled tyres, as opposed to 15 to 18 t of unprocessed tyres.

Viability of the depots rests on the ability to function as effectively as possible. Depots with balers have the benefit of including more waste tyres in a single load – ultimately reducing carbon emissions, as fewer loads are required.

The depots’ capacity to take on additional tyres is also increased and significantly less storage space required, resulting in smaller, more easily managed and more central premises.

Currently, balers are running at the Vissershoek and Pretoria East depots. Four more balers were brought into the country at the end of September for use in Durban, Ladysmith, Pretoria and Bloemfontein, and plans are in place to roll out more around the country at a later stage.

The World’s First and Award Winning Stairway Evacuation Chair • Fast emergency evacuation • Travels down stairs safely • Nobody needs to be carried • No congestion in fire escapes

• Easy operation • Training provided • 10 year warranty Model 600-H I S O

9 0 0 1

CALL 011 865 4249 or EMAIL sales@evac-chair.co.za. View VIDEO on our website www.evacchair.co.za The EVAC CHAIR is manufactured and distributed in South Africa by Edwards & Buckley Systems (Pty) LTD under license to Evac Chair International LTD

| SHEQ management

EVAC+CHAIR® is the only SIMPLE, SAFE AND EFFECTIVE stairway emergency descent for the disabled, injured and mobility impaired.

9

NEWS

Fire protection; again, and again, and again …

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is paramount when working in high-risk environments. It can prevent debilitating accidents or even death. You might not be as thoroughly covered as you thought, however …

“Some flame resistant (FR) fabrics run the risk of losing their flame resistance after washing, and are subject to excessive shrinking, colour fading, premature wear and ultraviolet degradation,” explains Dries Coetzer, sales and marketing director of Charnaud – an international protective clothing manufacturer. “It is critically important that the clothing remains flame resistant for the life of the garment.”

He points out that Charnaud’s electric arc flash garments are arc rated and are

guaranteed to remain flame and arc resistant for the life of the garment, which means that these qualities cannot be washed out of the fabric.

An arc flash hazard analysis, where the potential incident heat energy – expressed as units of energy per square centimetre of surface (cal/cm2) – is determined, revealed something very interesting …

“A test was carried out on a piece of the Charnaud FR fabric, which had an arc rating of 12,4 cal/cm2 as a new garment,” notes Coetzer.

“It was re-tested after being used actively for four years, and having had about 200 washes. The results revealed a 30 percent increase in the arc rating. This proves that the safety of Charnaud’s garments actually increases over time.”

| SHEQ management

When the lights need to stay off

10

The Lockout/Tagout procedure, which involves the isolation and inoperability of the energy supply of industrial machinery during maintenance, is gradually becoming standard equipment in many European, Middle Eastern and African production sites. It is easy to understand why …

The procedure protects workers from the risks posed by live machinery, driven by various energy sources. It includes the use of lockout devices, personal padlocks and keys – depending on an industry’s specific needs.

Based on requests from Sweden’s automotive industry, Brady is now offering a line extension of its Lockout/Tagout Twist and Secure Push Button and Emergency Stop Safety Covers.

Just like the original red covers, the transparent Twist and Secure is a convenient lockout tool, which has the extra advantage of providing an obvious visual indication of the ON/OFF status of control buttons.

Both the steel industry in Poland and the mining industry in South Africa also requested a next generation Lockout/Tagout keybox. Brady answered this request by providing the new Safety Redbox Group Lockout Box, which can be placed (or mounted), in various contexts, while its quickrelease mechanism offers great flexibility and portability.

At the same time, the new lockbox can be locked in place, preventing any possibility of retrieving a key, outside the lockout procedure, by purposely shaking the box.

Local is lekker A new R300-million, 23 000 m2 manufacturing facility, regardless of what it will produce, is definitely something to get excited about … but DCD Wind Towers offers an even greater reason to smile! It marks a new era for South Africa’s renewable power-generation capabilities, while contributing to the long-term stability of national electricity supply.

Located at the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), in the Eastern Cape, the manufacturing facility of DCD Wind Towers is a joint initiative between the DCD Group, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Coega Development Corporation (CDC).

Ayanda Vilakazi, head of marketing and communications at CDC, says: “We want to attract investors to the Coega IDZ who are able to add value to the supply chain and align with national

government’s drive for localisation of manufacturing, especially in the renewable sector where there are many gaps for high-tech innovation and manufacture. A prime example of the success of this approach is DCD Wind Towers.”

IDC senior account manager for the metal, transport and machinery products unit, Joseph Sithole, believes that the manufacturing sector is of tremendous importance to South Africa’s long-term economic prospects. He suggests that the establishment of the DCD Wind Towers manufacturing facility is the first step in boosting investor confidence within the renewable sector.

“Facilities such as this create direct jobs, while sustaining a large number of jobs in raw material supply and service sectors,” he states.

11

| SHEQ management

NEWS

Sharman on Safety

Turn upAnthe bass! exploration into

corporate safety culture In this inaugural piece (from a series of extracts that will run throughout 2015) ANDREW SHARMAN explores corporate safety culture and provides an arsenal to build a solid, sustainable culture of safety

| SHEQ management

W 12

hat is culture and

created, yet more than six decades later,

culture as: “The way we do things around

why does it matter to

opinions are still divided on what the term

here.” Although this idea is simple to

safety professionals?

means.

understand, it feels rather vague …

The answer to why

Ultimately, in a workplace setting,

Perhaps a more meaningful definition

it matters is simple; culture heavily

“culture” concerns the collective grouping

of culture is: “The system of information

influences an individual’s behaviour by

of the organisation in a particular way

that codes the manner in which the

setting group norms. Answering the first

of thinking and acting, in order to meet

people, in an organised group, interact

question is a little more difficult. In 1952,

its prescribed objectives. This sense of

with their social and physical environment,

a list of 164 definitions of “culture” was

strategic programming often simplifies

where the frame of reference is the set of

Sharman on Safety

follow, and the material objects they create.”

So, culture is the way we do things; guided by the values that we hold dear and regulated by the methods and practices accepted in the workplace.

Definitions of safety culture are myriad. There may even be as many, if not more than those on the “culture” list.

Most contemporary definitions appear to be based on the one generated by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations following the Chernobyl disaster, so this is a good place to begin: “The safety culture of an organisation is the product of individual and group values,

attitudes,

competencies

and

patterns of behaviour that determine the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organisation’s health and safety programmes.”

While safety culture is acknowledged as an important concept, its content and consequence have enjoyed little consensus of opinion over the last few decades, and an absence of models that

specify

relationships

between

culture, safety management and safety performance persist. Dialogue around safety culture has emerged as a popular theme in contemporary scholarship, usually as an answer to accident causation, and as the silver bullet for performance improvement.

In modern times, the term is typically connected

with

the

prevention

of

accidents, and it enjoys centre stage as an approach to driving sustained performance

improvement.

Safety

culture as a concept is not without conflict, however. Despite its popularity and many attempts at its definition, the term remains an abstract concept. of external adaptation and internal

more frequently – by both researchers and

interaction within the group.”

integration, that has worked well enough

practitioners – than others. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Edgar Schein, former professor at the

to be considered valid and, therefore, to

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

be taught to new members as the correct

“The set of assumptions and associated

has spent his career studying culture in

way to perceive, think and feel in relation to

practices, which permit beliefs about

the workplace. Accordingly, his definition

those problems.”

danger and safety to be constructed”;

may bring value to our discussion: “Culture

From a psycho-social perspective,

“The embodiment of a set of principles,

is a pattern of shared tacit assumptions

culture is defined as the: “… values that

which loosely define what an organisation

learned by a group as it solved its problems,

group members share, the norms they

is like in terms of health and safety”; and

»

| SHEQ management

Fortunately some definitions are used rules, regulations, mores and methods of

13

Sharman on Safety

“The attitudes, beliefs and perceptions shared by natural groups as defining norms and values that determine how they act and react in relation to risks and risk control systems.”

Although the term safety culture is now widely used and defined, it holds a

• Psychological (individual and group attitudes, perceptions and values);

reference to it) and you can see that we’re

• Behavioural (safety-related actions and behaviours); and • S ituational

talking about the same thing with which we began this article.

(policies,

organisational

safety. Remove the word safety (and any

procedures,

structures

and

management systems).

relatively young pedigree. Following the

It might just be worth a quick diversion to briefly touch on an aspect we have come to refer to as “climate”. Organisational climate, especially related to workplace

Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion

Looking from this perspective, we can

safety, has been the subject of much

on April 26, 1986, the International Atomic

see that safety culture is the effect of

study over the last three decades. Several writers have proposed its use as a robust leading indicator for workplace safety.

Interestingly, the term safety climate appears to be used as a synonym for safety culture, despite some argument that they are completely separate entities.

Often, the desired state of corporate culture (whether related to safety, or more generically) is presented in a series of vision, mission, policy and value statements; however, these statements and the actual practice may not match.

Why? Well, because in simple terms, we don’t create a culture in an organisation; it is already there.

We can develop that culture, refine it, enhance it, or even attempt to change it, but we don’t create a completely new one.

Blindly overlaying aspiration across your existing culture is like laying a carpet over a wooden floor. The wood still exists: the boards still squeak as you walk over them and the woodworms and mites are still

Energy Agency identified that the “poor

how the formal and informal aspects

safety culture” at the plant was the primary

of an organisation’s daily life influences

Really understanding your corporate

cause of the accident.

safety in either a positive or negative

culture and its nuances is vital. Purchasing

way.

an off-the-shelf audit, management

Subsequently, many other major accident investigations, including those

system or behavioural safety programme

looking at the Piper Alpha oil platform,

This influence is generated on two levels by:

just won’t cut it. Yet some organisations

the Kings Cross train station, the National

• Setting the values and norms as well as

continue to gleefully forge ahead on this

Aeronautics and Space Administration

the underlying beliefs and convictions,

route; essentially inflicting a programme or

(NASA) Challenger space shuttle and

through which workers deal with, or

system upon themselves that just doesn’t

the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, have

disregard, risks; and

fit congruently with “the way they do

pinpointed safety culture as a key

• Influencing the conventions for safe

contributory factor. It may be that the

or unsafe behaviour, interaction and

concept of safety culture has evolved as a

communication.

| SHEQ management

direct response to such events.

14

busy deep within the grain.

things”.

Most of the main theoretical models of safety culture appear to have been adapted and enlarged from Edgar Schein’s

But, hang on, instead of tying ourselves

Safety culture is not only similar to

model, which advocates that there are

in knots trying to define the term here,

organisational culture, but, indeed, an

three components that make up and

why not choose a preferred definition and

inextricable part of it; actively influencing

influence culture:

move forward. I see safety culture as a

attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of

Organisational Artefacts: These are

product of three interrelated aspects:

individuals with regard to workplace

readily observable in the workplace and can

Sharman on Safety include a particularly prevalent architectural

Shared Basic Assumptions: These are

• Safety systems and procedures;

or furniture style; dress code; artwork;

the source of the organisational values

• Work pressures and scheduling;

symbols or graphics; communication

and artefacts and form the essence of

• Employee training and competence;

styles and media; rituals, ceremonies or

culture. They are the deeply embedded,

• Genuine and consistent management

established events. Typically, artefacts

taken-for-granted behaviours, which are

can be recognised by people, internal and

typically carried out unconsciously. These

• Clear communication;

external to the culture or organisation.

assumptions are so well engrained in

• Employee engagement and involvement;

While tangible and easy to spot, the

the organisational dynamic that they are

• Responsibility; and

meaning of organisational artefacts is

difficult to identify and observe – even

• Regulatory compliance.

harder to decipher or interpret.

from within the corporation.

“Many major accident investigations have pinpointed safety culture as a key contributory factor.”

of safety;

So now we know that we need to consider the artefacts, values and assumptions of our organisation and that there are ten key factors for us to work on if we are to build a solid, sustainable culture of safety, but how should we move

forward?

You could start by considering the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities

Espoused Values: These are not

Now you may be starting to wonder

and Threats (otherwise known as a SWOT

necessarily directly observable, but can

how you can influence the culture in your

analysis) for action against those ten

be distilled from watching how people

organisation, positively, towards safety.

factors listed above. Then, narrow your

behave.

are

In order to build a framework to do this,

focus to the key areas that will really make

essentially how the workers, at all levels,

I’ve studied the literature for you with

a difference, and you have a framework

choose to represent the organisation, both

the aim of identifying the main factors

for action.

to themselves and to others. They may lie

that influence an organisation’s safety

Next, turn down the volume on the

within the organisation’s stated beliefs,

culture. While there appears to be no

aspects of the old culture that you wish to

principles and mindsets or be expressed in

overall agreement on the most important

change and turn up the bass on the new.

official philosophies, public statements or

elements, common themes and patterns

Take every opportunity to reinforce the

rules. They may also form part of a vision

do exist in the research.

new assumptions, values and artefacts.

The

espoused

values

of the future, of what individuals or the

Be an apostle. Recruit disciples. Keep

organisation hope to become; for example,

Here are the top ten:

your foot on the gas – remember the

the popular maxims of “safety first” and

• Management commitment;

journey from accidents to zero never

“zero accidents”.

• Risk perception and management;

ends. | SHEQ

Sharman on Safety is a series of extracts that we’re running this year, from Andrew Sharman’s new book: From Accidents to Zero: a practical guide to improving your workplace safety culture. Sharman is an international member of the South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (SAIOSH) and the chief executive of RyderMarshSharman — consultants on leadership and cultural excellence to a wide range of blue-chip corporates and non-government organisations globally. More at www.rydermarshsharman.com. SHEQ MANAGEMENT readers can get 20 percent off Sharman’s book at: www.fromaccidentstozero.com using the code SHEQSA.

From Accidents to Zero Thought-provoking and insightful. From Accidents to Zero progressively pushed me to see new connections, and new ways to address organisations’ safety culture and risk management challenges.

Mieke Jacobs, Global Practice Leader – Employee Safety, DuPont

This A to Z of safety represents an eminently practical knowledge toolbox, one filled with tools which will add value to the CEO and the front line Safety Practitioner in equal measures. Relevant, accessible and applicable, this is safety distilled and a ‘must-read’.

Steven Brown, Brewery Manager, Heineken Read more at www.fromaccidentstozero.com

| SHEQ management

A practical guide to improving your workplace safety culture

15

legally speaking

Failure of state social security – what are the

implications?

At the end of 2014, it was reported that one of the main state social security entities, the Road Accident Fund (RAF), may in future not pay compensation, for damages such as pain and suffering, to victims of road accidents. This change is contained in the legislation the RAF seeks to place before Parliament

| SHEQ management

T

16

he proposed change has

First, the RAF performs the vital

been necessitated by the

function of compensating victims of

Fund’s desire to cut costs

road accidents, or third parties, injured

Second, the RAF also acts as an insurer

shall become liable to compensate road accident victims.

and improve its financial

or killed, due to negligence or some

for persons whose negligence or wrongful

soundness. This is part of a process dating

other wrongful act on the part of drivers,

acts may result in the Fund being liable

back to 2007/8 when the RAF started

owners of motor vehicles, or their

for a claim.

implementing reforms to curb various

employees. The negligence, or wrongful

As a general rule, a road accident victim,

items of compensation it pays to victims of

act, must occur in connection with the

whose claim meets the requirements of

road accidents.

driving of a motor vehicle on South

the Road Accidents Fund Act of 1996, is

African roads.

prohibited from suing the negligent driver,

The RAF is a statutory body owned by government and is funded through a

Legislation, in the form of the Road

vehicle owner or employee of the owner.

levy on fuel purchased at the pumps by

Accidents Fund Act of 1996, specifies

The victim must instead claim from the

motorists. Its purpose is twofold.

the circumstances under which the RAF

Fund.

legally speaking has been insolvent for the past 30 years.

Previous attempts to cut costs and return

words, there were few restrictions on the

the institution to financial viability have

amount one could claim, as long as the

been unsuccessful, and it remains to

amount was proved and justified to the

be seen whether the results of current

satisfaction of the parties or the court.

proposals will be any different.

Over the years, a number of restrictions

Interestingly, the main causes of

to amounts payable have been introduced

the Fund’s skyrocketing costs are well

in an attempt to cut costs and improve

known. For example, it is an open secret

the solvency of the Fund. For instance,

that legal fees are perhaps the single

claims for loss of income were limited to

largest cost item in the entire structure

R160 000 per annum in 2008.

of RAF claims, but little appears to have

While the primary objectives of the RAF are noble, the institution has fallen

been done over the years to address this problem.

victim to serious agency issues, which

However, a more relevant question for

have culminated in escalating costs over

purposes of this discussion is: What are

the years. As a consequence, the Fund

the implications for employers when a

»

“While the primary objectives of the RAF are noble, the institution has fallen victim to serious agency issues, which have culminated in escalating costs over the years.”

| SHEQ management

In the past, the RAF paid claims in terms of common law rules. In other

17

legally speaking

state institution, meant to perform a vital

against the driver and his employer if, for

suffering, from the employer in terms of

role like the RAF, fails?

some reason, the RAF is unable to pay a

Section 35 (1) of the Compensation for

particular claim.

Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act

It must be noted that a sizeable number of vehicles on public roads are owned by

Given the cuts seen in recent years

employers and, at any given time, these

to amounts victims can claim from the

Another option would be to transfer

vehicles are driven by employees of the

Fund, it is important to determine how

the claims, excluded by the RAF in its

owners in the course of employment.

no. 130 of 1993.

these savings will be used. Take the

cost-cutting drive, to drivers and owners,

At common law, if such a vehicle is

current proposals by the Fund, to stop

whose negligence or wrongful acts result

negligently driven and causes injury to

paying damages for pain and suffering,

in injury to third parties. Thus, in terms

a third party, the third party has a claim

as an example. The question is: If victims

of the current proposals, if Parliament

against the employer of the driver under

of serious road accidents are no longer

resolves that the RAF should not pay

the doctrine of vicarious liability.

allowed to claim these damages from the

damages for pain and suffering anymore,

Fund, then who will be responsible for

then victims should instead be allowed to

their payment?

sue the driver, owner, or employee of the

However, due to the existence of the RAF, this common law position has over the years generally been inapplicable,

One can foresee two possible solutions

because, once a claim meets the

to this question. One option would be to take

requirements of Section 17 of the RAF

the route used in workmen’s compensation

Option one appears a less likely

Act, the driver, and by implication his

and ban such claims altogether. In terms of

proposition. This is because people put

employer, cannot be sued as Section 21

South African workmen’s compensation

vehicles on public roads for a variety

of the Act prohibits such actions.

legislation, an employee injured in the

of reasons, including for the purpose of

It is, however, conceivable that

course of employment cannot claim

business and pleasure. If all vehicles plying

a common law claim could be brought

common law damages, including pain and

our roads were serving the same purpose

owner (and by implication his employer) for those damages.

THE 3-IN-1 LOCKOUT/ TAGOUT SOLUTION Implement & maintain your lockout/ tagout programme - fast & secure.

Rely on Brady for the complete 3in1 lockout/ YFLTZY XTQZYNTS NSHQZINSL RFHMNSJ XUJHNąH procedure writing, LINK™360 Safety Management Software and a vast offer of professional LoTo devices.

GET FREE ACCESS

| SHEQ management

to LINK360 cloud based software for 1 month!

18

Watch the video to see the GJSJąYX HQFNR ^TZW KWJJ YWNFQ www.bradyeurope.com/LOTOservices T: +27 11 704 3295 F: +27 86 501 7775 E: emea_request@bradycorp.com

legally speaking – being used for business and, therefore,

The persistent restriction of claims, for

employers were, to a very large extent,

helping in wealth creation for the country,

which the RAF accepts liability, represents

insulated from vicarious liability claims

for example – then option one would have

a failure on the part of this vital institution.

associated with negligent driving of

some merit.

It is unbelievable that the RAF has been

motor vehicles by their employees. This

insolvent for such a long time without a

is because, as long as the accident fell

solution being found.

within the scope of the RAF Act, the driver

The reality is, however, that not all vehicles are on the road for business purposes. Some are on the road for social

In addition, when state entities

and other reasons, which have nothing to

designed to provide a critical, social and

do with business. As a result, when drivers

economic service, such as compensating

At the time, cover provided by the RAF

of vehicles negligently injure or kill third

victims of road accidents, respond to their

was wide, since victims were compensated

parties, against a background of increasing

failure by limiting the scope of protection

according to common law principles.

failure by state entities, like the RAF, to

they are supposed to provide, under the

Today this is no longer the case. The RAF

meet their obligations, we should expect to

banner of cutting costs, invariably the

cover continues to shrink with the net

see more responsibility for the cost of these

very same costs that are cut (if at all)

result that liability for damages, for which

accidents being shifted to private individuals

are transferred to the people who are

the RAF is absolving itself from paying,

and employers (in the case of accidents

supposed to be protected.

will ultimately be borne by employers and

caused in the course of employment).

When the RAF was established,

(employee) could not be sued and nor could the employer.

private individuals. | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

Legally Speaking is a regular column by Albert Mushai from the school of Economics and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand. Mushai holds a master’s degree from the City University, London, and was the head of the insurance department at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe before joining the University of the Witwatersrand as a lecturer in insurance.

19

COVER STORY

I

RCA Global, which began its local

What role do training, education, research

management, incident analysis, legal liability

operations in 1993, went from

and development play within IRCA

and skills programmes. We also offer risk

humble

Global? And how important are these to

assessments and auditor programmes.

beginnings

(starting

in a small flat in Hillbrow) to an

the company and your clients?

Misrole: They play a key role within the

certificate courses, diplomas and a Bachelor

in Africa, the Middle East, China and

organisation. Our research enables us to stay

of Commerce degree, which are customised

Australia).

abreast with the latest trends, both locally

for operational risk management. We

It has expanded its risk management

and abroad. It also helps us to keep tabs

provide these together with the Da Vinci

solutions to cover several areas in the

on any new developments, and the way in

Institute for Technology Management (a

SHEQ-driven industries. These include

which the SHEQ industry is progressing …

registered higher education and training

assessing, advising and assisting various

institution).

organisations to reduce operational risk

What training and development courses

exposure.

do you offer?

How have the training and education,

This is all made possible by the

Venter: We provide a vast range of health

and the research and development

company’s research, development, training

and safety courses including short courses.

departments developed as the company

and education divisions …

The course categories include: SHEQ

has grown?

Keep on

training

| SHEQ management

IRCA Global, as the name suggests, has offices worldwide – but it has more than a diverse footprint … It offers a wide range of systems, products and services for risk management in the areas of safety, health, the environment and quality (SHEQ). JACO DE KLERK speaks to Wensley Misrole, executive of research and development, and Lynne Venter, executive: training and education

20

On the education side, we’ve got

international contender (with offices

COVER STORY Misrole: Since we started, we’ve grown the

the industry. We have found that many

Often the shortcomings are in the area

list of courses that we offer to the public

supervisors do not have all the tools and

of middle management, resulting in

exponentially. We currently have over 100

knowledge to do what is expected of

organisations not being as successful as

courses and we’re constantly innovating

them.

they could be.

requests.

We’ve learned a lot from the field exposure we have had over the years, and we have ploughed back the knowledge we have gained into the training courses.

What trends are you most excited about?

Misrole: There are quite a few, but the one that stands out the most is the safety leadership programme for supervisors.

We’ve identified problems in this area in

We are, therefore, offering courses in

On the formal education side – which

safety leadership for supervisors, because

includes certificates, diplomas and degrees

they play a key role in any organisation.

– there are a lot of industry practitioners,

“With our current initiatives, we believe the future for IRCA is quite bright.”

with years of experience. This is difficult to convert into a full qualification. We’ve expanded our partnership with the Da Vinci Institute to offer formal qualifications that enable people with extensive experience to receive recognition of prior learning.

Candidates can, therefore, be given credit for skills, knowledge and experience gained through working and learning – enabling them to continue to work towards formal qualifications.

What challenges does IRCA face and how is the company overcoming these?

Misrole: On the formal education side one of the challenges is the cost. This prevents many people from actually pursuing a formal education.

How is this being dealt with?

Misrole: In some cases companies are paying for their employees. In other cases, employees are paying for themselves by taking loans. They see education as an investment in their future. There are no bursaries at the moment, but it is something that we are looking into and working towards.

Venter: From Da Vinci’s side, it assists by offering students a monthly payment option – so it isn’t necessary for them to pay all their fees up front.

What does the future hold for IRCA Global?

Misrole: With our current initiatives, and our ongoing research and development, we believe the future for IRCA is quite bright.

We are broadening our scope of services that we can offer to clients, and, through that, we’ll keep the company sustainable into the future. | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

and adding new ones to satisfy our clients’

21

POLLUTION

e-waste per annum!

250 000 t of

Where must it go?

Technology has catapulted humanity’s development by enhancing our productivity and making life a whole lot easier … but it doesn’t come without its perils!

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a lot more dangerous than one could ever imagine …

| SHEQ management

U

22

nited States-based Cen Cal Ewaste, a company that offers free recycling solutions to help both businesses and residents to properly recycle electronic equipment, shines some light on the matter: “When you look at a computer or cellphone, it doesn’t appear to be dangerous. Typically, only the outer casing is visible, but it’s what’s inside that poses a threat to the environment, people and animals.”

It adds that electronic products are

jam-packed with heavy- and semi-metals, including various chemical compounds that can leak into soil – becoming hazardous along the way. “Lead, mercury, copper, barium, nickel and even arsenic are all present within a variety of electronic products,” states Cen Cal. “When they’re thrown away or placed in landfills, these products often break apart, which can expose the inner workings and those dangerous chemicals and metals.”

According to Cen Cal, 80 percent of the electronics that are bought and used

every day aren’t recycled properly! Closer to home things look even more bleak.

Explains Christopher Olver, former contributing editor to Journalist’s Resource (named one of the best free reference websites by the American Library Association): “Information communication technology (ICT) products, such as computers and cellphones, have proliferated throughout the world, and many developing nations are consuming them at an increasing rate.”

This is only half of the story. “As these

»

POLLUTION

Centre for Business Management Programme in Total Quality Management (TQM) Make quality a life skill

Module 3 Implementing TQM and sustaining continuous improvement.

Module 4 Integrated SHEQ management based on ISO and OHSAS system standards.

Fee: R7 950 Duration: 12 months Registration: December 2014 and closes 15 March 2015

Ms Rosina M Komane Programme Assistant (TQM) Tel: +27 12 352 4290/4319 Email: komanrm@unisa.ac.za Prof Rigard J Steenkamp Fax-to-email: +27 86 682 9213 Email: steenrj@unisa.ac.za Website: www.unisa.ac.za/cbm

Chillibush2351Unisa

Module 2 Developing the TQM system, the tools and the techniques for the continuous improvement of quality.

Tshepang W Masipa Programme Assistant (TQM) Tel: +27 12 352 4319/4290 Cell: +27 71 442 4053 Email: masiptw1@unisa.ac.za

| SHEQ management

Module 1 An overview of TQM and the creation and maintenance of a quality culture.

23

POLLUTION

goods become technologically outdated in wealthier nations, they are often shipped to developing countries for refurbishment, recycling or disposal,” writes Olver.

“However, such countries are sometimes ill-equipped to deal with the parts found in many products in an ecologically sound manner.”

To determine the effects of e-waste, the United Nations (UN) examined the ecological and economic impact of electrical and electronics equipment (EEE)

of these items make their way to the western part of Africa,” Olver points out.

“Close to half of the items are repaired, while the rest are recycled or discarded.”

Nigeria reportedly leads the region in e-waste volume, generating approximately 1,1 million tonnes annually.

As for the exporting countries, the report states that the United Kingdom (UK) leads the pack, followed (with large gaps in between) by France and Germany … “In the case of television receivers

E-waste is filled with various chemicals and heavy metals that pose a threat to the environment and people. recycling, and disposal practices, in five countries in western Africa. The report, entitled: Where are WEee in Africa?, looked at Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria.

Olver quotes from the report: “Seventy percent of all imports, to the five countries, are used EEE, with 30 percent of this being non-functioning EEE.” He says that computers imported from Western countries account for between ten and 70 percent of all ICT in these nations.

“Despite strict regulations governing the trade of damaged ICT, 30 to 50 percent

and monitors, it is apparent that German exports are rising sharply, while UK exports are declining,” relates Where are WEee in Africa? “Both countries provide nearly 100 percent of the television and monitor exports to western Africa.”

Nearly all of the region’s e-waste ends up being processed by a largely unregulated, informal recycling industry.

“Recycling activities often take place on unfortified ground where harmful substances released during dismantling are discharged directly into the soil,” states the UN.

“Burning copper cables and wires, as well as monitor and TV casings, creates an accumulation of ash and partially burned materials at the burning sites,” the international organisation points out.

“Insulating foam from dismantled refrigerators (primarily polyurethane containing chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)), or old car tyres are often used as the main fuels for the fires … contributing to acute chemical hazards and longterm contamination at the burning sites, as well as emitting ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.”

Olver adds that workers in the western African scrap metal and recycling industry have to contend with health risks ranging from cuts to spinal injuries and respiratory illnesses – all for a daily wage below the international poverty line … (around R10 a day).

The report’s authors conclude: “Altogether it is roughly estimated that during the past few years, at least 250 000 t of e-waste per annum ‘illegally’ entered the ports of the five selected western African countries … This is comparable to the total amount of e-waste generated in small European countries such as Belgium or The Netherlands, and equates to approximately five percent of all e-waste generated in the European Union.”

Africa is certainly climbing the technological ladder. Over the last decade, the penetration rate of personal computers in western African countries has increased tenfold, and the number of mobile phone subscribers has increased one hundredfold …

E-waste definitely needs to be addressed while it is still a “small” problem, as development without sustainability isn’t much development at all! | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

Sanitech offers fully compliant sanitation and hygiene solutions to protect the environment, your staff and clients.

/(3!3 CERTI½ ED 2EGISTERED 7ASTE 4RANSPORTER 24 -EMBERS OF #)$" -EMBERS OF )NSTITUTE 7ASTE -ANAGEMENT

Visit www.sanitech.co.za or call 011 823 6060 or 086 110 8642 for the branch nearest you

POLLUTION Brought to you by:

| SHEQ management

Co-located with:

25

SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE

breath Take a deep

| SHEQ management

Various respiratory protective products are available on the market. Precision Safety Appliances (PSA) shares some insights about respirators and how to choose the right one for the job

26

Types of respirators

SCBAs provide a readily available supply

put on and the worker evacuates the plant.

Air-purifying respirators: These are used

of independent air; however, they are

They are not suitable for oxygen-deficient

in environments where sufficient oxygen

restrictive in that they will only provide

atmospheres.

is present and the specific gas hazard has

working time relative to the pressure

“Stored pressure” escape devices have

been identified and quantified. Portable

available in the cylinder (typically about 30

compact air cylinders containing sufficient

or fixed instruments are able to provide

to 40 minutes).

air for escape purposes and provide an

continuous oxygen readings, and are also

Airline respirators: Using a suitable

independent supply of air, thus making them

available with toxic sensors to detect and

compressor as the source of air provides the

suitable for oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

quantify specific toxic hazards.

benefit of continuous availability of air, while

While they are more cumbersome than air

Independent air supply: Self-contained

the compressor is running. The connection

purifying devices, they provide a suitable

breathing apparatus or airline respirators

points are, however, generally fixed around

backup should the airline supply line be

are suitable for environments where the

the factory and may not always be situated

interrupted.

oxygen content is low, or the toxic gas

close enough to where the compressor is

is beyond the protection ability of air

required. Portable compressors providing

Why do you need both gas detection

purifying respirators, since they provide

“breathing quality air” are very useful, but

and respiratory protection?

an independent source of safe air. Despite

costly, and thus often considered more

Respiratory protection does not provide

the independent air source, there is still the

suitable as a rental option.

the user with a means to detect the

possibility of a flammable atmosphere that

Escape respiratory protective devices:

presence of flammable vapours, toxic

needs to be considered, which is why the

These are available in either “air-purifying”

gases, volatile organic compounds or

environment should still be tested.

or “stored pressure” format. The former

an oxygen-deficient or oxygen-enriched

is often worn by personnel in factories

atmosphere.

What equipment limitations need

as personal protective equipment where

be considered, even while donning the

Gas

detectors

should

to be considered when selecting

the general possibility of a specific gas

respiratory protection, since the results

respiratory protection?

hazard, or potential leak, is present. In

provide an indication of the concentrations

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA):

such instances, the respirator is quickly

in the atmosphere. | SHEQ

HINTS QUALITY AND TIPS

Preparing your business for an

emergency Action Training Academy (ATA) director, Alastair Farish, points out that the solution to managing medical emergencies, unexpected fires or building evacuations is a structured health and safety (H&S) approach Step one: Training

we find that, in haste to complete training

The size of the premises, type

Companies are required to ensure that their

requirements, organisations often train one

of production being undertaken and

workforces are trained in the disciplines

person in first aid, firefighting as well as

occupancy classification all form part of

of firefighting, first aid and evacuation

evacuation planning – only to find that

the assessment. Technicians then supply,

planning.

during a real emergency or evacuation drill,

install and maintain the firefighting, first aid,

they can fulfil only one role.

evacuation and H&S equipment.

It is important to ensure that the trained H&S team is evenly spread

Have three people trained in separate

out across the organisation’s building

disciplines, instead of one person in all three

Step three: Management

structure. Take, for example, a large

disciplines. It is important to spread these

The success of creating a healthy, safe

organisation that has ten buildings. If

lifesaving skills across the workforce.

and prepared environment depends largely on senior management/executive buy-in,

there is a heart attack in building number eight, then it is of utmost importance

Step two: Equipment

as well as the establishment of an H&S

that there is a person trained in first aid

With a trained health and safety team,

committee – which is responsible for driving

within that building.

the organisation needs to ensure that

the success of the H&S strategy.

It is best practice to have a first aider

appropriate equipment is procured and

The committee is made up of health

located within four to six minutes of any

installed in the correct locations across the

and safety supervisors and representatives,

location within the organisation. If someone

company’s premises.

who are required by law to meet at least every three months.

suffers cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary

It is often difficult for organisations

resuscitation (CPR) must be administered

to determine what they actually need to

ATA’s aim is to assist organisations

within four to six minutes – if this doesn’t

comply with the regulatory requirements,

to prepare themselves for unplanned

happen, irreversible tissue damage to the

as these are quite complex and there

emergency crises. Our philosophy is to

brain can occur.

is definite science behind it. ATA’s H&S

create awareness and preparedness, and, in

In addition, it is important to carefully

practitioners often assist organisations

so doing, minimise risk and loss of life. H&S

select staff for each role and to ensure

with an “H&S Equipment Assessment”

is not an option, it is an obligation, and we

that each H&S team member is trained

which determines what equipment is

need to create a healthy, safe and prepared

in only one of the disciplines. Very often

necessary.

environment for everyone! | SHEQ

ACTION TRAINING ACADEMY – Your preferred national Health & Safety training provider, also specialising in H&S equipment supply and implementing effective H&S management services and solutions.

WE OFFER: FIRST AID NATIONWIDE BRANCHES: // FOURWAYS tel: (+27 11) 704 6597

EVACUATION PLANNING

FIRE FIGHTING // DURBAN tel: (+27 31) 571 6700

www.actiontraining.co.za // PORT ELIZABETH tel: (+27 41) 374 1336

// CAPE TOWN tel: (+27 21) 486 1000

// VANDERBIJLPARK tel: (+27 16) 931 2050

»

| SHEQ management

“Creating a healthy, safe & prepared working environment for all”

27

QUALITY

Quality leaders breed quality relationships

According to a paper compiled by Development Dimensions International (DDI), conversations are the lifeblood of leadership. When leaders are adept at conversations, they do much more than communicate effectively – they drive stronger business results

| SHEQ management

O

28

ver the last 30 to 40 years,

that there is a core set of skills everyone

Clarify: There are two types of information

perhaps the most significant

needs to master in order to effectively

to collect in this step: facts and figures,

change in the corporate

build relationships and get work done.

as well as issues and concerns. Both are

landscape has been the

A wide range of interactions define

transition from an economic society

a leadership role, including: conducting

the situation.

based on physical and tangible assets, to

team

coaching,

Develop: When developing ideas, it is

one based on intangible assets, such as:

seeking input from stakeholders on key

important to ask questions and include

customer relationships, ideas, innovation

decisions, listening to customers, leading

others in the process. Most leaders will

and brand.

meetings,

providing

essential to building a complete picture of

major changes, influencing the direction

have ideas about what to do, and they

Human beings are social creatures.

of a new structure, delegating tasks and

should share them. However, they should

In our daily lives and at work, we are

assignments, and conducting performance

also put equal emphasis on seeking ideas

constantly

discussions.

of others.

interacting

with

others.

Whether these interactions happen face-

Leaders can meet practical needs

Agree: Leaders and the people involved in

to-face, over the phone, or through e-mail

and structure discussions by using five

the conversation should agree on a plan for

or text, the way we treat others, and how

interaction guidelines. These form a five-

following through on the ideas that were

we communicate with them, makes an

step process and provide a direct route for

developed, and for supporting those who

impact – for better or worse. So, what

the discussion – which will take leaders to

will take action.

are the skills required to conduct effective

clear and agreed-upon outcomes.

Close: The final chance to check that

interactions?

Open: Ensures that discussions have

everyone is clear on the agreements and

a clear purpose and that everyone

the next steps, and are committed to

talent, conducting research and creating

understands

following through.

development programmes, DDI has found

accomplishing it.

During its 40-plus years of assessing

the

importance

of

DDI also identified seven “interaction

QUALITY sins”, which capture some of the common

not be deployed in another.

others to develop ideas; they oversimplify

missteps that befall leaders – at all levels

For instance, the highest levels of

the issues surrounding change; and they

– when it comes to conducting effective

empathy and diplomacy are often saved

show little appreciation for the impact of

conversations:

for situations where people are trying to

a change, assuming others will simply get

influence peers. In these situations, they

on board.

Straight to fixing the problem

are more likely to demonstrate diplomacy

Leaders, who have often been rewarded

and tact, and will more effectively clarify a

for getting things done and fixing problems,

situation in order to calibrate each party’s

jump too quickly to presenting the solution.

understanding of the issue at stake.

They fail to understand the context of a situation and miss opportunities to involve

Influencing through the facts

other parties.

only Leaders need to spend much more time

One size fits all

understanding the perspectives of others

Over time, leaders develop a preferred

before presenting and positioning ideas.

style and/or approach to meetings and

Too often they rely on logic and rationale to

interactions. They can be oblivious to the

position an argument or point of view.

impact that this approach has on certain

They need to embrace more subtle

situations or individuals. They may also

means that proactively build stakeholder

struggle

networks and appeal to the unique

to

accommodate

different

perspectives.

“Leaders need to spend much more time understanding the perspectives of others before presenting and positioning ideas.“

needs and circumstances of particular

Neglecting to coach in the moment

stakeholders.

When asked to coach direct reports, leaders

Avoiding the tough issues

are generally effective at clarifying what Spotting opportunities for change

performance is required, having an open

tough issues, particularly those relating

but forgetting to engage others

dialogue, and offering support for future

to performance. They lack the skills and

Leaders often recognise the need for

challenges. However, they often neglect

insight to diffuse situations and/or tackle

change. They identify opportunities for

to provide guidance “in the moment of

areas that are perceived to be more

improvement in areas such as products

need”. Furthermore, their assessment of

sensitive. As a result, the issues can be left

and processes. However, they struggle to

development needs can be superficial;

unresolved; leading to increased tension

engage others in the change process.

missing opportunities to investigate

Many leaders struggle to address the

and consequences.

They don’t proactively encourage

underlying performance gaps. | SHEQ

Inconsistent application across different contexts Leaders often adopt a different approach to different situations and contexts. Skills

| SHEQ management

that they readily apply in one situation may

29

CONSTRUCTION

More than

7 500 injuries!

What is to be done?

The construction industry is a massive cog in any country’s economy, but this high-risk sector doesn’t come without its costs in term of injuries … JACO DE KLERK talks to Herman Enoch, inland regional manager for the Federated Employers’ Mutual Assurance Company (FEM), and Alco-Safe’s MD, Rhys Evans about reducing the risks

Z

ero harm. Something all high-

of tougher legislation and a change of

worse. We don’t actually know how bad

risk industries aspire to, but, if

attitudes towards health and safety among

the problem is with drugs. There are no

you look at the injury figures for

construction companies.”

statistics available, but, going on what you

a large portion of South Africa’s

It appears that the construction

see in the papers and a lot of the tests

construction industry between 2004 and

industry is moving in the right direction.

that we see, there is also a big drug abuse

2014, it would seem that they are building

“Health and safety should, however,

problem in the construction industry.”

castles in the sky rather than implementing

begin at project conceptualisation and

Evans adds that it is, thus, extremely

sound safety practices …

planning stage and not be implemented

important to test.

| SHEQ management

Statistics

30

has

only in later stages,” Enoch emphasises.

“We did a study with a company, based

been licensed to transact workmen’s

from

FEM,

which

“Adequate funds and resources should

in KwaZulu-Natal, and found that, after

compensation insurance claims for the

be allocated to any project, irrespective

about nine months of introducing alcohol

building and construction industry since

of size.”

testing – just alcohol testing – accidents

1936, shows that injuries within South

It would be wise for a part of these

Africa’s construction industry rose from

funds to be used for drug and alcohol

and disability claims went down by about

8 144 in 2004 to 10 391 in 2009. This

testing devices … Evans emphasises the

Testing equipment also provides much

number did, however, come down to 7 584

importance of drug and alcohol testing

faster, more accurate and reliable results

in 2014. *

55 percent.”

within the construction industry: “A study

than in the past. “In the old days, equipment

The numbers are, at least, declining.

showed that, in the construction industry,

could do one or two tests a minute – now it

Enoch adds: “The construction undertaken

approximately one in five people arrive at

can do close to 18 tests in the same time,”

in the lead up to the World Cup in 2010

work under the influence of alcohol.”

Evans points out.

was a major contributor to the increase

He continues: “Construction is a high-

“The speed of instruments has increased

I can only surmise that the

risk environment, and to add alcohol into

dramatically, which makes them a lot more

recent decline in accidents is as a result

the mix as well just makes the situation

popular,” he adds. “Companies find that

in 2009.

»

31

| SHEQ management

????????????????

CONSTRUCTION

they no longer have to wait half an hour to

“It also has to state that the company

The procedure in question is another

test their people, as they can do the same

will be undertaking random and compulsory

test. “If an employee tests positive the

number of tests in five minutes.”

testing; when and why that testing will

first time, the operator has to wait for 15

isn’t

be done, and what actions will be taken

minutes before testing the person again,”

without its challenges, however … “The

against people who are found under the

Evans points out. This time period allows

biggest challenge relates to the use of

influence,” Evans points out. “This is very

alcohol in the mouth to evaporate.

the equipment,” Evans points out. “The

important, as workers might want to

equipment is so good now that people

challenge the legality of a test.”

Drug

and

alcohol

testing

“So, if an employee tests positive the first time, he or she will be taken aside

don’t really challenge its accuracy. What

On this subject, he adds that there

for 15 minutes. They will not be allowed

they would challenge, however, are the

are rumours that substances containing

to eat, drink or smoke, to ensure that

structures and the policies around it.”

alcohol, such as mouthwash and cough

there isn’t anything that could cause a false positive,” Evans explains.

“The result of the second test will tell us whether the alcohol was only in their mouth or in their blood,” he points out. “If it is still positive, it is definitely blood-related alcohol, as it takes one’s liver about one hour to remove just one drink from the blood, but alcohol in the mouth normally evaporates within five to six minutes.”

Testing equipment can, thus, help to keep intoxicated worker from entering a site – which is an absolute necessity when working in the construction industry’s high-risk environment …

This industry still has a way to go

| SHEQ management

before the injuries are reduced to a totally

32

He adds that companies, therefore,

syrup, can influence the test equipment –

acceptable level (namely zero), but keeping

have to have good substance abuse

ending in a false accusation. “If you don’t

intoxicated employees at bay will be a

policies in place. These have to state that

follow proper procedure, this is possible,”

massive step in the right direction. | SHEQ

the company is aware of the alcohol abuse

says Evans. “A breathalyser is designed to

problem in South Africa as well as the

test for alcohol, but the correct procedures

represents around 70 percent of the building

Occupational Health and Safety Act, which

will help to differentiate whether the

and construction industry. The balance would

specifies a zero-tolerance approach to

alcohol is only in someone’s mouth or if it

have to be obtained from the Department of

intoxication in the workplace.

is in their blood.”

Labour …

*

These are only FEM stats and

FIRST AID

First aid at work

As an employer, you are responsible for making sure that your employees receive immediate attention if they take ill, or are injured at work. First aid can save lives and prevent minor injuries from becoming major ones ...

Education and Training Authority (SETA)

the illness or injury, and in some cases

as a small office should have

institute with further accreditations with

might involve completing a treatment,

a first-aid kit and a person

the Department of Labour. Gary Singh,

for instance applying a plaster to a small

appointed to take charge

business manager at OHST, says: “We

wound.

of first-aid arrangements, such as calling

offer expertly delivered first-aid courses

the emergency services, if necessary, and

on levels one, two and three.” Singh

The first aider is also likely to be trained in

stocking the first-aid kit. In this instance,

shares the following useful information

dealing with injuries such as cuts, grazes

the appointed person does not need

regarding first-aid training:

or bone fractures. He or she may be able

specific first-aid training.

to deal with the situation in its entirety (a

Workplaces where there are more

The key aims of first aid (also known as the

small adhesive bandage on a paper cut, for

significant health and safety risks are more

“three Ps”):

instance), or may be required to maintain

likely to need a trained first aider. A first-

• Preserve life: the main aim of all medical

the condition of something like a broken

aid needs assessment will help employers

care, including first aid, is to save lives and

bone, until the next stage of definitive care

decide what first-aid arrangements are

minimise the threat of death.

(usually an ambulance) arrives.

appropriate for their workplace. Such an

• Prevent further harm: this covers both

assessment should include consideration

external factors, such as moving a

Skills – It is all about the ABCs

of the workplace, the workforce and the

patient away from any cause of harm,

Certain skills are considered essential to

hazards and risks that are present.

as well as applying first-aid techniques

the provision of first aid and are taught

The findings should indicate the level of

to prevent the condition from worsening;

ubiquitously. ABC stands for Airway,

first-aid equipment, facilities and personnel

for example, applying pressure to

Breathing, and Circulation. The ABCs, which

required.

stop bleeding.

focus on critical life-saving intervention,

Occupational

Health

and

Safety

• Promote recovery: first aid also involves

Training (OHST) is a fully accredited Sector

trying to start the recovery process after

must be rendered before treatment of less serious injuries.

»

| SHEQ management

E

ven a low-risk workplace such

33

FIRST AID

The same system is used by all emergency health professionals.

Evacuation chairs for stairway evacuation

Attention must first be brought to the airway to ensure it is clear and open. Obstruction (choking) is a life-threatening emergency.

Following evaluation of the airway, a first aider would determine adequacy of breathing and provide rescue breathing if necessary.

“In case of emergency, do not use the lifts, use the stairs!”

Assessment of circulation is done to determine if artificial circulation

This a familiar sign next to all lifts, but few stop to think

(chest compressions) is required.

of the implications for those people who cannot use the

Training is generally provided by attending a course, typically

stairs, due to injuries or other mobility impairments. These

leading to certification. Due to regular changes in procedures and

people’s lives would indeed be in danger if an emergency

protocols, based on updated clinical knowledge, and to maintain

evacuation from the upper levels had to take place and

skills, attendance at regular refresher courses or re-certification is

there were no adequate plans to ensure their safety.

often necessary.

Employers are required to maintain proper evacuation

In South Africa, the legislation is promulgated by the Occupational

plans and equipment, train staff accordingly and to

Health and Safety Act no. 85 of 1993. Specifically, the General Safety

practise the procedures during regular fire drills.

Regulation – GSR 3(4) provides for the requirement on compliance.

First aiders are trained and equipped to provide “basic life support and emergency first aid” to people with

Know your duties as an employer

injuries, but may not be adequately equipped to provide

The training institute must be SETA-accredited. It should also have

for safe evacuation down the stairs. It is always a slow

further accreditation with the Department of Labour and be issued with

and difficult process to carry a stretcher down stairs and

a certification number, which must be displayed on all certificates.

would require at least four able-bodied people.

• The validity of these certificates must be three years.

Specialised equipment, such as stairway evacuation chairs, are available and should be considered as one

• First aiders must be trained and appointed, as per GSR3(4).

• First-aid kits must be made available by the employer, as per GSR3(a).

of the essential tools necessary to protect valued staff, customers and other visitors to the upstairs levels of

First-aid kits

buildings.

At least one first-aid kit should be provided for each workplace,

Roger Buckley, managing director of Edwards &

although more than one might be required on larger sites. Kits should

Buckley Systems, which manufactures the Evac Chair

be made easily accessible. The contents should be checked frequently

in South Africa, stresses the importance of having a

and restocked after any use.The kit should provide basic equipment for

comprehensive emergency evacuation plan, which

administering first aid for injuries including:

includes safe evacuation for people with injuries or

• c uts, scratches, punctures, grazes and splinters;

physical disabilities. “Having the right equipment in place,

• m uscular sprains and strains;

as well as ensuring correct usage through proper training

• m inor burns;

and practise, are the keys to providing a truly safe

• a mputations and/or major bleeding wounds;

environment for all building occupants. Evac Chairs are

• b roken bones;

not just for people with disabilities. Anybody could be

• e ye injuries; and

injured or collapse, for example due to smoke inhalation,

• s hock.

and would then also need the correct equipment to be available.”

Quick access to the kit is vital. First-aid kits should be kept in a

| SHEQ management

prominent, accessible location where they can be retrieved promptly.

34

FIRST AID Access should also be ensured in security-controlled workplaces.

In addition, kits should be located close to areas where there is a higher risk of injury or illness. For example, a school with a science laboratory or carpentry workshop should have first-aid kits located in these areas.

If the workplace occupies several floors in a multi-storey building, at least one kit should be located on every second floor.

Emergency floor plans displayed in the workplace should include the location of first-aid kits.

A portable first-aid kit should be provided in the vehicles of mobile workers if that is their workplace (for example, couriers, taxi drivers, sales representatives, bus drivers and inspectors). These kits should be safely stored so as not to become a projectile in the event of an

First aid should also be used to help with the recovery process after an illness or injury – for instance, giving an employee a pain pill for a sprained neck.

accident. | SHEQ

Workplace accidents happen – First Aid will make the difference Workplace accidents will happen. When your employees complete a comprehensive St John First Aid course they will be able to:

s recognise when first aid is needed s provide first aid at an emergency scene s know when more qualified emergency medical assistance is necessary

We know the importance of having proper, professional skills in an emergency and that’s why at St John we continually revise our courses to ensure they are:

s LEANER CENTRED s SUITABLE FOR EMPLOYEES WITH LIMITED READING AND WRITING SKILLS s SUPPORTED BY ON SCREEN PRESENTATIONS AND LOTS OF HANDS ON PRACTICE s ACCREDITED WITH THE $EPARTMENT OF ,ABOUR s ACCREDITED WITH THE (EALTH AND 7ELFARE 3%4!

Our range of First Aid training courses include:

www.stjohn.org.za

s &IRST !ID ,EVEL n %MERGENCY ,EVEL s &IRST !ID ,EVEL n 3TANDARD ,EVEL s #02 !%$ #OURSES s "ASIC ,IFE 3UPPORT ",3 Accredited with the Resuscitation Council of SA s &IRE 3AFETY s (EALTH 3AFETY IN THE 7ORKPLACE

"LOEMFONTEIN #APE 4OWN $URBAN %AST ,ONDON &ISH (OEK

'RAHAMSTOWN *OHANNESBURG +IMBERLEY 0ORT %LIZABETH 3OMERSET 7EST

We stock a range of first aid kits so contact us to discuss your needs 3T *OHN IS A ,EVEL CONTRIBUTOR TO " ""%% WITH PROCUREMENT RECOGNITION

| SHEQ management

Contact us to book your first aid training course today:

35

WORKING AT HEIGHTS

Keeping you on

cloud nine

It’s said that falls from heights are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and account for 50 percent of all fatal accidents. It is, thus, very important to know what to look for when choosing fall arrest equipment …

W | SHEQ management

are safe and efficient,” says Joshua Low,

solution to fall arrest issues that will

place across multiple

African Occupational Safety and Health

provide user comfort, maximised personal

scenarios

(A-OSH) event director at show organiser

safety and optimised productivity. Fall

Specialised Exibitions Montgomery.

protection equipment should be mobile,

where

safety plays a major

role. Since these environments are diverse

“Our exhibitors will be on hand at the

lightweight, portable and modular in

and multi-disciplined, they require a full

A-OSH Expo to guide utility and municipal

order to adapt to different applications.”

range of fall protection solutions to meet

risk managers on the most appropriate

It is very important to know what to

the needs of a variety of workplaces.

equipment to use in each specific

look for. A full-body harness is designed

Pole climbing workers, for example,

application,” he points out. A-OSH Expo

with straps that fasten around the body

may be required to climb light and

is the re-launched brand of OSH Africa

in order to distribute the fall arrest forces

electrical poles made out of both

– and will continue to feature a number

over the upper thighs, pelvis, chest and

wood and steel. In addition, finding a

of seminars and conferences on current

shoulders. Protection should be provided

comfortable position to stand or rest

health, safety and well-being issues in the

to reduce the impact on the internal

is often difficult – particularly when

area of fall arrest. (You can read all about

organs, as well as major muscle and bone

weather conditions are not ideal.

the rebranding process on page 8.)

groups around the pelvis.

“However,

36

orking at height takes

effectively

ascending

“Maintenance and general contractors

When selecting a full-body harness,

and descending poles, using proper

also find themselves working in a variety

users are advised to consider the back

techniques and safety equipment, can

of environments, and face different

D-ring/web loop, with dorsal web loops

ensure that the handling, transportation,

challenges on a daily basis,” adds Low.

being preferred; the webbing, which

installation, and removal of utility poles

“This is why it is critical to find a flexible

must be durable and UV protected;

WORKING AT HEIGHTS the adjusting points (for good fit and

The design of anchorage connectors

comfort); leg straps; and whether it has

depends on whether they will be

Solutions

Another such company is HSE

pelvic support (for additional support).

(exclusive

partners

of

connected to steel, wood or concrete

Honeywell Safety products), which has

They should also check whether it

and whether they are fixed or mobile.

a comprehensive range of fall arrest

has labels detailing date of manufacture,

Snap hooks and carabiners should be

equipment, under the Miller brand,

inspection details and user instructions;

self-locking to eliminate the danger of

including: full-body harnesses, ascenders

double box stitching, which provides

rollout (accidental disengagement of a

and descenders, confined space and

maximum

durability;

connector). They should be simple to

retrieval equipment, permanent fall

padding, with cushioning to provide

operate and capable of withstanding a

protection

extra comfort; breathable lining; impact

22 kN load.

anchorage systems, connecting devices

strength

and

indicators (if available); a quick-connect buckle; and a seat sling.

systems

and

lifelines,

reputable

(such as lanyards and self-retracting

supplier should always be used for all

lifelines), rope grabs as well as rescue and evacuation equipment.

A-OSH

adds

that

a

Shock-absorbing lanyards should

fall arrest equipment. For example,

have rugged and durable webbing and a

Heightsafety Gear specialises in the

The Work at Height Theatre at A-OSH

vinyl covered cable, which provides extra

design, development, manufacturing,

– which will be held at the Gallagher

durability. They should be the right length

assembly and distribution of a full

Convention Centre, in Midrand, from

– long enough to be user friendly, but

range of fall arrest, rope access and

May 12 to 14 – will focus on issues

short enough to minimise fall distance.

rope rescue equipment and systems

surrounding those people who work at

They should have an auto-locking

for working at height. Products include:

height as part of their job function.

connector/hook (for added safety) and a

harnesses, lanyards, slings, connectors,

“Advice on relevant fall arrest safety

shock absorber, which limits the force on

helmets, descenders, ascenders, pulleys,

equipment and safe working practices

the worker to below eight kilonewtons

retractable life lines, ropes, bags,

is central to the success of the seminar

(kN), with up to 1,8 m free fall.

accessories and ready-to-use systems.

programme.” | SHEQ

Working at Heights

NOSA is an accredited height safety training provider through Services SETA

0861 11 NOSA (6672)

| SHEQ management

s "ASIC WORKING AT HEIGHTS s "ASIC FALL ARREST s !DVANCED FALL ARREST RESCUE s 0OST FALL ARREST RESCUE s 0OST FALL ARREST SELF RESCURE s &ALL PROTECTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT s &ALL PROTECTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND ()2! s &ALL PROTECTION PLANNER s &ALL ARREST AND RESCUE s #ONFINED SPACE WORKSHOP s #ONFINED SPACE ENTRY s #ONFINED SPACE RESCUE

info@nosa.co.za

www.nosa.co.za

37

PPE

No more canaries down

coal mines

Most of us know how gas detection works today – particularly in the mining industry, but do we understand how it has evolved over time? CLAIRE RENCKEN investigates

T

o understand just how far

blanket. Sometimes he would hit a huge

was lowering down to the bottom line

we’ve come in gas detection,

pocket of methane, which would ignite the

and starting to go out, he knew he was

we need to know its history.

entire area around him.

in an oxygen-deficient environment.

When gas detection was first

The next method of detection was

If miners noticed the flame rising to

needed, the light bulb hadn’t yet been

to take a canary into the mine. Canaries

the top line, they knew the atmosphere

invented. With the beginning of the

were used because they have an

was either beginning to have methane

Industrial Revolution, fuel became very

extremely loud chirp. Additionally, the

current or they were in an oxygen-enriched

important.

canary bears the closest resemblance

environment. However, the flame light

to the part of our nervous system that

still posed a threat to miners. If it was

controls breathing.

accidentally dropped, and the glass broke

Coal had to be mined from the ground, which required extensive manual labour.

Methane is especially dangerous, because

A miner would carry the bird in its

it cannot be seen. It has no smell and

cage into the mine. It was said that when

appears naturally from the ground. When

a canary was about to die, it would start

The first gas monitor was a device

miners began to realise how dangerous

to shake the cage. Then the miners knew

with a valve that analytically showed

methane was, they began exploring ways

to exit the mine. If the canary wasn’t

how much methane was present in the

to detect it.

making any noise, they knew to make

atmosphere. The methane was detected

an even more urgent exit, as the canary

through a sensor called the catalytic

had died!

diffusion sensor.

The first method involved using humans – back then the feeling was that

| SHEQ management

atmosphere if methane was present.

it was better to lose one man than to lose

Later, a flame light was used. The

Today, gas detectors have batteries,

an entire group of workers. The miner

flame was encapsulated in a flame-

which enable the instrument to run for

wore a wet blanket over his shoulders

arrestor shell so that it could not ignite

long periods of time without having to

and head, and carried a long wick with its

the outside atmosphere. On the outside

be turned off. Also, modern-day monitors

end lit on fire.

of the flame light was a glass piece that

not only measure oxygen and methane,

had three incisions running horizontally

but can measure several different gases

along the glass.

simultaneously.

He entered the mine and began to

38

while the flame was lit, it could ignite the

move the flame of the wick along the walls of the mine. When he hit a small pocket of

The miner always started the flame

Thankfully, we’ve come a long way

methane gas, it would ignite, but the miner

in the middle line, while in a fresh air

since unsuspecting birds were taken down

remained fairly safe under the dampened

environment. If he noticed that the flame

mines. | SHEQ

safety

generator risks After Eskom blackouts,

As soon as the lights go out, the generator is started – but what are the hazards? Leighton Bennett, vice chairman of the Safety First Association, shines some light on the matter

The risks:

be exceeded, it could blow the generator’s

properly isolated with a turnover switch,

Generators do not have earth leakage

electronics. It is, thus, important to

between the generator and the building

protection like those installed on the

calculate your maximum demand. Add up

system, the generator will be destroyed

electrical distribution panels/boards in

the wattages marked on all the electrical

when the normal power supply returns.

buildings. Earth leakage protection can be

appliances and fixtures that would require

If an isolation switch is not used, one

added, however, by using an earth leakage

generator power. Your generator will need

can use specific, separate, permanent

device, depending on where the generator

to have output wattage that is greater than

extension leads fitted from the generator

power supply is connected to the electrical

your total demand wattage.

location to emergency power plug points

Use the formula “Watts = Amps x Volts”

in the desired locations in the building or

Earth leakage protection is strongly

to calculate the required capacity or size of

house. When the generator is running,

advised as generator electricity is unlikely

the generator you would need to acquire as

you just have to unplug the item from the

to trip should one get an electric shock

your emergency power source.

normal plug and connect it to the generator

… This shock risk is also increased if the

Obviously, you would not be able to use

generator is not earthed by not being

high power demand items like geysers,

plug point and reverse the process when

connected to an earth spike driven into

stoves, ovens and appliances like kettles

Some generators are being plugged

the ground.

or irons, which require significant watts

into the house/office wall plug using an

the normal power supply returns.

For safety reasons, have an earth

to operate. Fridges, freezers, security and

extension lead fitted with a double male

leakage protection device fitted into an

gate access systems, computers, the TV

electrical plug, however … This is hazardous

extension box, which is made for your

and some light lamps, with energy-saving

as the plug pins could be live if the extension

generator, and connect all extension

globes, can all be run off a medium-sized

is plugged into a running generator. Such a

leads from this earth leakage box, and not

generator, however.

practice is illegal in terms of the electrical

directly from the generator. This box will

wiring codes and will be considered gross

trip the electricity if there is any electrical

Putting it all together – correctly

shock or short to an earth.

To connect your generator to your existing electrical board, a proper turnover isolation

negligence should a fatality occur.

The lights might be out, but the danger is still there …

Make the right choice

switch must be fitted, by a competent

It is essential that all electrical plug

Every generator has a maximum output

electrical person, to safely separate

points and electrical appliances, such as

capacity. If it is plugged into a house

between the two power supply systems.

stoves and irons, are treated as being “ON”

system where the power demand could

If the building power supply is not

to avoid injury. | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

distribution board.

39

BUYER’S

GUIDE Be Smart Work Safe Workplace accidents will happen. When your employees complete a comprehensive St John First Aid course they will be able to:

s recognise when first aid is needed s provide first aid at an emergency scene s know when more qualified emergency medical assistance is necessary

St John is a Level 1 contributor to B-BBEE with 135% procurement recognition. Our courses are accredited with the Department of Labour and the Health and Welfare SETA. Contact us to book your first aid training course today: St John - Bloemfontein St John - Cape Town St John - Durban St John - East London St John - Fish Hoek St John - Grahamstown St John - Johannesburg St John - Kimberley St John - Port Elizabeth St John – Somerset West

(051) 444-6276 (021) 461-8420 (031) 305-6588 (043) 722-9840 (021) 782-3306 (046) 636-1650 (011) 403-4227 (053) 838-2519 (041) 364-2701/2 (021) 851-7394

www.stjohn.org.za

!

SHEQ !"#$%&'()%'%*+,+-+./%.0%1'2.%304+2'%.5)4-%&673%83224)9+:';./ <=>?)4@%ABACDEF%'((4.,)9%322)--%!2'5.G9+/H%74'+/+/H%'/9 &)4;I2';./%0.4%:J)%K+-:)9%K)'4/+/H%B4.H4'>>)-@

!

!"#$%&'()$"*%+'(,-./01-2$-%'(34"*/%&("-5(6115(!"#$%&(!7$8/"*/9%9(

!$0./8$9(:-8*45$(;(:!<(=>>?'(?@>>?'(AA>>>'()BCCD'(<)!B!(?E>>?("-5(F$971-9/G*$(C"0$H(

•!2'5.G9%64)2:.4-%8!L-:)>M%!)G0%G.2N%'/9%3G=>+/+=>%!2'5.G9F

• • • •

•!2'5.G9+/H%O/-()2;./

•!2'5.G9%P-)4%74'+/+/H%81.4N+/H%Q%R)+HJ:-F •39,'/2)9%!2'5.G9%64)2;./%S%O/-()2;./

"#$%&'()$*! +&,)()$*!

-./0$)/1'!+%%)%(1$/.!

-21)$)$*!

341)'5!61$.$.761$%.$8)$(.'')*.$(%0.97/#7:1! ;#<)'.5!=>?@A!B??CDE?BF!

M A N A G E M E N T

&./:'2:%:J)%0.GG.T+/H%().(G)%0.4%'--+-:'/2)@

•U)+/J'49:%&.):V))%84)+/J'49:2Q-H?2'()W2.WV'F

G.<5!HHH7)$(.'')*.$(%0.97/#7:1!

XYE%ZXX%[Y[\

X\A%YXZ%XXE_ SUBSCRIBE TO SHEQ MANAGEMENT

•]+2J')G%,'/%^''4-,)G9%8>+2J')G,Q-H?2'()W2.WV'F •^'/$B'=G%&.):V))%8`'/2Q-H?2'()W2.WV'F

XYE%AAX%ZCD\

HHH7I1/.<##J7/#4K)$(.'')*.$(%0.9!

0((L5KK:17')$J.,)$7/#4K/#4L1$MK)$(.'')*.$(N%0.9N/#$%&'()$*N%.2O)/.%! !

SHEQ MANAGEMENT aims to provide up to date, relevant information to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees in the workplace, while assisting them in preparing for IJ1K$%+$0(L$(C"-(:2701.$(M140(N49/-$99O( emergencies and preventing disasters. SHEQ MANAGEMENT is the definitive source for reliable, accurate and pertinent information to promote environmental health and safety ! in the workplace. It is our objective to raise the profile of these important subjects: these issues belong in the boardroom!

SHEQ NTAL ISSUE S

|

QUALITY

www.sheqmanagement

.com

IRC A Global: the

future of training and technical assurance

SHEQ |

H E A LT H

|

ENVIRONME

N TA L I S S U E S

|

QUALITY

MAY/JUNE 2014

| R66.00

SAFETY

M A N A G E M E N T

Quality life means quality business

SOUTH Power, out of thin air

sheqmanagement.com

Eat responsibly, save the environment

AFRICA TOPS

STRESS BARO

Surname:

Fighting violence in the

Published by Charmont Media Global, 17 Northcliff Office Park, 203 Beyers Naude Drive, Northcliff, 2195 PO Box 957, Fontainebleau, 2032, South Africa 40 Tel: +27 11 782 1070 Fax: +27 11 782 1073 email: bev@charmont.co.za www.sheqmanagement.com

SHEQ SAFETY

Classrooms: the source of quality

|

HEALTH

2013 R60.00

VAT No:

Fax No:

workplace

METER!

Coming in to port on SHEQ issues

Mobile No:

ENVIRONME

Postal Code: Number of employees:

|

Best and brightes t NTAL ISSUE at OSH | QUALITY ExpoS 2014

ENVIRONME

Bracing the backbone of PPE

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

| SHEQ management

Nature of business: Tel No: Email address: Signature:

|

M A N A G E M E N T

METHOD OF PAYMENT: Cheque enclosed (payable to Charmont Media Global cc) Direct deposit: Charmont Media Global cc Bank: First National Bank Hyde Park branch Branch code: 255805 Account no: 62059168825 Please use your company name or invoice number as a reference Cash Name:

HEALTH

MARCH/APRIL 2014

Please add my name to the SHEQ MANAGEMENT mailing list: R450.00 for one year R870 .00 for two years Rates include VAT and postage (valid within RSA borders).

Mr / Mrs / Ms: Job Title: Company: Postal address:

|

R66.00

SAFETY

M A N A G E M E N T www.sheqmanagement

.com

Me rcede the planet’s susta s-Benz: inability star All the news from

Noshcon

Apathy: the downfa ll of mineworkers

CHARMONT MEDIA GLOBAL

Dead end for silicosi

s litigation Shocking results from stress survey!

????????????????

THE LATEST CONTENT FROM THE WORLD OF SHEQ

NOW IN THE PALM OF YOUR HANDS • Get the latest content or download the entire magazine • Interact with SHEQ on Twitter and Facebook • Check out the latest multimedia content • View image galleries from industry events DOWNLOAD it FREE for a limited time only from the

SHEQ M A N A G E M E N T

| SHEQ management

Apple App Store and Google Play Store NOW!

41

????????????????

Flashlight or

Drugs?

See clearly: drug and alcohol detection solutions from Dräger.

| SHEQ management

Drugs and alcohol abuse in today’s society is on the increase, that’s a fact. The risk to the health and well-being of personnel is never more focussed than in a workplace environment, especially when the operation of vehicles or machinery is necessary. Ensure you can see the risks clearly.

1340

42

CALL +27 (0) 11 465 9959 OR VISIT W W W.DR AEGER.COM