SHEQ November-December 2014

safety

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 | R66.00

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

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Don’t get bitten by a venomous lack of risk management SHEQ rules in the world of wheels Delicious and nutritious, but is your food safe?

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CONTENTS EDITOR Charleen Clarke Cell: 083 601 0568 email: charleen@charmont.co.za ASSISTANT EDITOR Gavin Myers Cell: 072 877 1605 email: gavin@charmont.co.za SUB-EDITOR Jeanette Lamont Cell: 083 447 3616 email: jeanette@charmont.co.za JOURNALISTS Jaco de Klerk Cell: 079 781 6479 email: journalist3@charmont.co.za Claire Rencken Cell: 082 559 8417 email: journalist2@charmont.co.za CONTRIBUTORS Albert Mushai email: albert.mushai@wits.ac.za Jannie Koegelenberg email: janniekoegelenberg96@gmail.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 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 m e d i a

g l o b a l

Features

VENOMOUS KNOWLEDGE 16 Even before little Miss Muffet sat on her Tuffet, human civilisation had a morbid fascination with all types of venomous creatures. But do we really have to be afraid of them? And how should we manage them in the workplace?

SAFE SNACKING 18 It is critical that employers take all due precautions to eliminate the spread of illness or contamination through unsafe handling of foodstuffs. SHEQ MANAGEMENT reports.

AUDITOR COMPETENCY: A KEY TO FOOD SAFETY 20 Best practice and innovation are driving food safety across global supply chains, writes Cor Groenveld, chairman of the Foundation for Food Safety Certification, and global head of Food Supply Chain Services for Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA).

SINGING THE SHEQ SONG 22 One of the most memorable cinematic intros, ever, is probably that of The Sound of Music, where Maria (a mischievous nun turned governess, played

by Dame Julie Andrews), sings her way through a picturesque meadow …

We discover, the hills are alive with the sound of SHEQ – the transport hills that is.

WHAT’S MINE IS MINE 24 More than 850 exhibitors showed off their innovations, products, services and technologies, across 38 000 m² of exhibition space at the Electra Mining Africa 2014 exhibition. It took place at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg, from September 15 to 19.

SOMETHING FOR THE LADIES 33 Often, women are less fortunate than men when it comes to finding personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits properly. SHEQ MANAGEMENT takes a look at how some suppliers are catering specifically for the fairer sex.

Regulars

Editor’s letter SHEQ Sound Off Letters News Legally Speaking Raising the Bar Brainwave For Safety Sake Subscription Form

2 4 6 7 10 13 21 35 36

| 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

EDITOR’S LETTER

Ebola alert!

Charleen Clarke

been mooted as a possible bioterrorism

Now the million-dollar question: how

weapon! Of course, this is a truly daft

do you catch it? According to the medical

notion – it’s tricky and highly dangerous

experts, Ebola can only be transmitted by

to handle the virus … so the terrorists

direct contact with the blood, secretions,

would probably end up dead (which, of

faeces or body fluids of someone who

course, is not entirely a bad thing).

is infected.

Bearing this in mind, and also noting

The virus is not transmitted through

that it could impact on business in South

the air. Because the virus is carried by

Africa, I decided to do a little bit of

animals, it’s possible to catch it when,

research, and hopefully separate the

for instance, killing and butchering an

facts from the fallacies. So here goes …

infected animal.

Let’s start at the very beginning.

| SHEQ management

Let’s put things into context: HIV/Aids, cigarettes and even road fatalities currently kill far more people than Ebola – even though over 10 000 people have now contracted this virus.

But, if Ebola does come to South Africa (as I pen this column, we’re currently E-free), it could have a crippling impact on our country and its economy …

2

W

Workers

in

laboratories

can

While much has been said and written

also become infected (much like the

about the disease of late, it’s not actually

aforementioned terrorists) by coming

new – Ebola first came to the fore in

into direct contact with the virus. Once

1976 in Africa. According to the Centres

the virus has been transmitted, it takes

for Disease Control and Prevention, the

two to 21 days for the symptoms to

virus was named after the Ebola River,

manifest themselves.

which is where it was first spotted.

So, how do you know that someone

actually

has Ebola? Well, many of the symptoms

five different Ebola viruses – Zaire,

are not unique to this virus – they include

Bundibugyo, Sudan, Taï Forest and

high fevers, headaches, sore muscles,

Reston. The latter affects animals only;

stomach pain, diarrhoea, a sore throat,

the other four can be contracted by

red and itchy eyes and even hiccups.

humans and animals.

Once the person gets really ill, vomiting,

Technically,

there

are

e’ve all been reading

All five are very nasty viruses, in that

rashes and severe bleeding (both internal

masses of stuff about

they kill 90 percent of the people they

and external) follow. This is followed by

Ebola. Horror stories

infect; the most notable symptoms being

terrible chest pains, acute shock and,

pertaining

a dangerously high fever and extensive

sadly, death.

to

its

contraction and impact abound. It’s even

internal bleeding.

Until recently, it was believed that

EDITOR’S LETTER

Assessors that see your wider business objectives there was no guaranteed treatment or cure for the disease.

The World Health Organization has noted that “there is no specific treatment or vaccine” for Ebola. This situation is changing fast, however, as medical professionals gain a better understanding of the virus. Recently, for instance, a second Dallas nurse infected with Ebola was cured and appeared at a typically triumphant news conference to mark her release from Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

“I’m so grateful to be well. First and foremost, I want to

With LRQA’s Business Assurance approach, we extend the focus beyond the certificate to an assessment approach designed to help organizations meet their strategic objectives

thank God,” said Amber Joy Vinson, 29, who was infected with the virus at a Dallas hospital while caring for Thomas Eric Duncan, the Liberian man who died of Ebola in October.

“While this is a day for celebration and gratitude, I ask that we not lose focus on the thousands of families that continue to labour under the burden of this disease in West Africa,” she added.

Of course, prevention is much better than cure. So what can be done to prevent the spread of the disease in the first place?

Our services include: ● ● ● ●

Certification Customised Audit Programmes 2nd Party Audits Training

It’s vitally important to avoid any contact with the blood or secretions of an infected patient. Then, if that patient dies, it’s vital to avoid direct contact with the corpse. This is obviously tricky for medical personnel; we have all seen how they are

enquiries@lrqa.co.za www.lrqa.co.za

suiting up in personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid any possible interaction with bodily fluids.

The ideal solution would clearly be vaccination. The good news is that Novavax, an American clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that specialises in this field, is already a long way down the road in this regard.

“We are developing our recombinant Ebola GP vaccine using the same platform we used to develop vaccine candidates against several pathogens including respiratory syncytial virus

Enquire now about our IRCA registered training courses

(RSV), seasonal and pandemic influenza, and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),” Stanley Erck, president and CEO of the company, tells SHEQ MANAGEMENT.

2015 courses confirmed

“Our proprietary platform allows us to quickly develop, and manufacture an Ebola vaccine candidate at large scale, which we believe can provide a necessary tool to fight this global health crisis,” he adds.

Novavax has already tested the vaccination on animals and a Phase One clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine in humans is planned for December 2014. A total of 150 people will participate in this trial. If everything goes according to plan, manufacturing of this vaccine is planned for the first quarter of 2015.

We can only hope and pray that this vaccination is available before Ebola arrives in South Africa, because, unfortunately, the arrival of this virus is much like the death of Nelson Mandela. It’s something we will dread, but we know it’s inevitable. | SHEQ

Improving performance reducing risk Lloyd’s Register and variants of it are trading names of Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Copyright © Lloyd’s Register Group Services Limited. [2013] 3 A member of the Lloyd’s Register group

SHEQ SOUND OFF

Put that in your pipe and

smoke it?

Jaco de Klerk

In the previous edition, assistant editor Gavin Myers wrote about substance abuse; how to screen for it and what to do if you find an offender. This got me thinking … what about the substance that employees shamelessly abuse?

| SHEQ management

W

4

hile smoking does not present the same workrelated problems as alcohol or (other) drug abuse – as explained in the piece Myers wrote – it does present various dilemmas (not to mention the health risks it holds …).

“Smoking in the workplace remains a topic of heated debates between smokers and non-smokers,” explains Jan du Toit, senior consultant at the South African Labour Guide, in his piece: How many smoke breaks? Yours truly fully agrees, having been on both sides of the fence …

(I kicked the habit in April this year, after nearly ten years of enslavement.)

Du Toit continues: “This is not because employers allow employees to smoke in non-designated areas, but rather as a result of the amount of time employees are allowed spend smoking during working time.”

He adds that legislation is silent on how many smoke breaks an employee may take while on the clock. “As such, it is recommended that employers introduce workplace policies regulating when and where employees are allowed to smoke.”

Du Toit warns that, if this isn’t controlled, it may result in the employer paying for time that employees aren’t working.

“Employers are, therefore, advised to consider the impact that unregulated and paid smoke breaks may have on the operations of the company,” Du Toit points out – driving his point home with an example. “If smokers who, for instance, consume a packet of cigarettes per day are allowed to smoke whenever they want to, it may well result in one smoke break every hour of the working day.”

He notes that smoke breaks last around ten minutes, on average, excluding the time that it takes an employee to get to the smoking area and back. “During a typical nine-hour working day, such an employee will take only three unpaid smoke breaks during lunch and tea times. This means that there may well be six, ten-minute breaks during the rest of the day paid for by the employer.”

Adding fuel to the anti-smoking fire, Du Toit point out that, over a 12-month period, an employee, who works five days per week, will get paid to smoke for 28 working days. “Even if one halves this, it still equates to 14 working days, per smoker per year that the employer

subsidises. Even if one halves this …” He asks if discrimination could be argued by non-smokers under such circumstances.

I see his point … but in smokers’ defence, many willingly offer up their lunch break to compensate for the time spent puffing. Using my old habit as an example, I smoked a packet a day, which resulted in an outing every hour … But the whole exercise (from when I left my desk to my return) took about five minutes.

During my-nine hour working day I spent 45 minutes polluting my body – leaving a 15 minute leeway of the lunch break I didn’t take.

Some smokers even go “electric” to save on time as, owing to a lack of regulations, electronic cigarettes “can” be used at your desk. “Government recently announced, however, that it is considering legislation with regard to the use of e-cigarettes in public areas, especially since the long-term health implications of the inhalation of nicotine vapour (which the devices use instead of conventional tobacco) has not yet been established,” says Du Toit.

There are mixed feelings about these “electronic” devices. Some say that they are healthier than normal cigarettes and others are wary of the unknown effects.

Personally, I’m in favour of the batteryoperated versions – but to be used only to kick the habit, as they wean you off the thousands of chemicals found in cigarettes, while keeping the ritual intact. (It makes things a lot easier to fight the cravings and habit separately.)

At the end of the day, the massive amount of evidence out there is clear … nicotine addiction will probably kill you – regardless of whether you get your fix on or off the clock. | SHEQ

5

| SHEQ management

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SHEQ

MAIL Year-end safety tips Nearly ten times more people are killed on

enough sleep before a road trip. Speed

our roads each year than from all country-

reduces the opportunity to react to any

wide industrial fatalities combined. Chances

unforeseen event and stay in control!

are, if you’re going to lose someone over

Drinking and/or drugs have a disastrous

the holiday season, it will be on the roads.

effect on a driver’s reaction time and the

In spite of substantial funding, the

Let’s influence our employees to

Management Corporation is unable to

become active safe road users. Draw up

my Cool Tool Toolbox Talks and cover the

provide road accident statistics. We are

your plan for the year-end now! Involve

road safety topics of seat belts, attitude,

effectively flying blind; we cannot improve

your safety, health and environment (SHE)

road signs, pedestrians and vehicles. I am

something that we are not measuring. The

representatives. Some ideas:

offering this series of six CDs at a special

cost of road accidents runs into billions

Hand out a road safety cookie to

– we could easily build and maintain our

engage all your employees in road safety

Get your SHE representative to hand out

road infrastructure if we could halve our

and to remind them to take a safety attitude.

a leaflet listing advanced driving tips. Look

accidents.

These have been specifically branded with

at activities you can sponsor at schools in

road safety signs and the cookie inserts are

your neighbourhood; for example, driving

road safety messages. One idea is to put

lessons or driving simulators for schools.

There are three things that kill people on the roads: fatigue, speed and drinking.

| SHEQ management

discounted price of R2 750.

If drivers are tired and take their eyes

the name(s) of employees killed during the

off the road (fatigue), the likelihood of

year in road accidents on the cookie inserts

Jürgen Tietz

accidents increases dramatically. Encourage

(for example: In memory of …).

Thought leader and professional

the habit of taking a break and getting

6

ability to stay awake and alert.

Department of Transport’s Road Traffic

Road safety toolbox talks are part of

speaker

SHEQ

NEWS Vanguard provides a lift for wind energy project

Filter out energy consumption

A specialist in turnkey heavy lift, and

plant

relocation,

Atlas

Copco

compressor

Vanguard is providing the craning

installations can now benefit

solution

turbine

from improved filtration, with the

generators (WTGs) at the new

for

20

wind

launch of a range of class-leading,

Grassridge wind energy facility near

energy-efficient filters.

Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

According to the company,

Vanguard will lift and position

as soon as a filter is fitted, the

the WTGs at an average rate of

clogging process begins and

two per week on the R1,2 billion

the pressure drops gradually.

facility, which can generate up to

This clogging process increases

60 megawatts (MW) of renewable

at a rate dependent on

energy – enough for about 40 000

environmental and working makes it necessary to transport

conditions. Each

Once the base of the turbine

its components separately and to

drop in pressure

tower is secured on its foundation

assemble them on site, requiring

of 0,5 bar draws

at the wind farm site, Vanguard’s

well-coordinated operation among

as much as three

GTK1100 crane and support crane

the service providers.

percent more

homes.

are then positioned to “top and tail”

Chosen for the strength of

the two top tower sections of each

its winds, the site poses its own

leads to an increase

turbine, according to project manager

challenges for the lifting team. “We

in power consumption

Joost Heystek.

carefully monitor the wind speeds and

and operational costs.

energy, which

“We then lift and position the

wind gusts,” Heystek says. “Different

The Atlas Copco

remaining components of the turbine,”

components are more aerodynamic

filter range is specially

explains Heystek. “These include the

than others, so they have differing

designed

nacelle (the housing which covers

maximum wind speeds in which they

the pressure drop to

all the generating components), the

can be safely lifted and positioned.

minimal

generator and drivetrain, hub and the

On occasion we simply have to wait

thereby dramatically

three 55-m turbine blades.”

for calmer conditions before we can

reducing

continue.”

consumption

The drivetrain alone weighs about

to

reduce

proportions, power

60 t, with the combined weight

Vanguard teamed up with the

of the nacelle and its contents

Azari Group, which is the mechanical

with

exceeding 130 t. The considerable

and electrical installation service

boost

size and weight of the nacelle

provider of the WTGs.

efficiency.

and

maintenance costs, a

consequent to

overall

| SHEQ management

transport

7

NEWS

Good training yields results Contract mining firm Redpath Mining Africa is celebrating 27 months of fatality-free work, following a fatality prevention programme established in 2012.

Redpath Mining Africa SHEQT general manager, Johan Jansen van Vuuren, says that during the 2013 calendar year, the company achieved three months of accident-free and eight months of lost-time-free work across Africa.

While these are some of the best safety results the company has achieved, Jansen van Vuuren admits that mobile equipment remains a key issue in the cause of serious injury and fatality. “As a result, we are currently in the process of rolling out a mobile equipment initiative and awareness campaign to maintain safety in this regard.”

Jansen van Vuuren says SHEQT leadership is extremely important, and leaders in this field should always be present to train, coach and audit the various work teams.

“Supervisors and management have clearly defined responsibilities within the organisation. Their leadership within these areas is important, as it plays a key role in defining the company’s culture. SHEQT leadership will

| SHEQ management

continue to be a focal point for Redpath Africa,” he notes.

8

Battlefield: corporate crime Santhos Manilall Forensics, run by Advocate Santhos Manilall, says more and more fraud is being uncovered as companies, employees and even the public sector become more aware of commercial crime.

“Companies are working hard to become more compliant and to put better corporate governance in place. At the same time, employees are becoming more intolerant of dishonesty in the workplace and are using whistle blowing lines to anonymously report it,” Manilall says.

He points out that the most disturbing current trend is increased procurement fraud, which extends from collusion between officials and suppliers to cover quoting.

“More complex syndicated crimes are being discovered.

We are seeing more racketeering cases being reported and prosecuted. These are the types of cases where there is organised crime and where you require specialist forensic investigators to put everything together,” he explains.

He notes that many criminals within the corporate sector often walk free, due to bungled investigations – and, therefore, advises companies to bring in experts from the outset.

“Managers can’t just go off on a tangent and seize computers.

Once you start interfering and change things on that computer, the evidence become inadmissible,” he warns.

For sustainable energy.

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NEWS

Bags of goodness!

Now here’s a really nice feel-good story

a team of previously disadvantaged South

that has reached the eyes and ears of SHEQ

Africans) and they are produced from South

MANAGEMENT. The fifth annual Diamond

African waste.

Route Conference recently took place at the De

The talented team of bag producers started

Beers Corporate Headquarters in Johannesburg.

working out of the back of a garden shed with

The Diamond Route required bags for storing

a couple of sewing machines two years ago.

conference notes, however, they decided to do

Thanks to the support of companies such as

more than just acquire bags; they also wanted

De Beers, the team has now relocated to a

to upskill and uplift disadvantaged South

proper workshop with machinery for all aspects

Africans … while cleaning up our environment

of billboard bag production. Today, the team

at the same time!

comprises six full-time bag producers, and up to

Enter Eclipse Promotions, which provided bags made out of PVC billboard. These bags were specifically sourced because of their associated benefits – they are locally manufactured (by

15 people are employed during peak production periods.

Now isn’t that nice? Hats off to The Diamond Route and Eclipse Promotions!

LEFT: Pictured are Lynn Berowsky (left), senior communications officer corporate affairs, De Beers Consolidated Mines, and Tarryn Burger from Eclipse Promotions.

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compliance@lexisnexis.co.za9 CT019/14

legally speaking

sick

system Is occupational disease in South African mines a problem without a solution?

O

ccupational diseases can be

rates among mine workers. Then there

For instance, according to the

described as the “Achilles

is the issue of how occupational disease

South African National Institute for

heel� of the South African

sufferers should be compensated.

Occupational Health Pathology Disease

They

There are no easy solutions to

Surveillance Report for 2012, pulmonary

represent perhaps the most pressing

mining

industry.

these issues. Each requires coordinated

tuberculosis (TB) and silicosis rates

challenge faced by the industry simply

interventions at a policy level by relevant

remain very high among black gold

because, although they were first

stakeholders;

government,

miners at 352 and 396 per 1 000

recognised in the late 19th century, to

the

and

miners respectively.

this day no long-lasting solution appears

representatives.

| SHEQ management

to have been found.

10

mining

notably industry

Occupational

worker

In 2011, the rates for pulmonary diseases

in

South

TB and silicosis stood at 346 and 362

Disease rates among miners remain

African mines have a long history.

per 1 000 miners, respectively. Among

high and in some cases there are clear

There is irrefutable evidence that as

the countries where accurate records

signs that the problem is worsening.

early as 1896 silicosis had reached crisis

are available, South African occupational

Occupational diseases raise many socio-

proportions in South Africa! Today, even

disease rates are the highest in the

economic issues. Among these, two

though estimates vary, it is evident that

world.

stand out. First, there is the issue of

the problem is not being overcome; if

what can be done to reduce disease

anything it is getting worse.

The

surprising

occupational

thing

diseases

in

about South

Legally speaking

to improve occupational health and safety.

For instance, the Mine Health and Safety Act 29, of 1996, has extensive provisions on occupational health and safety risk management in the mines.

It imposes a wide range of obligations on mine employers to ensure health and safety of employees and third parties.

Some of the obligations imposed by this Act include a duty to: provide employees with adequate health and safety equipment; establish a health and safety policy; provide health and safety training; assess and respond to risk; and, establish a system of medical surveillance.

If it is accepted that mining companies are complying fully with the provisions of this Act, which are clearly intended to reduce and possibly eliminate inter alia the problem of occupational diseases, then

one

fundamental

question

immediately comes to mind: why does the system appear to be failing? Disease rates remain unacceptably high, despite all the efforts to control the problem.

Should someone be blamed for this and, if so, who?

This brings us to the second fundamental

issue

posed

at

the

beginning of this article – how should occupational

diseases

sufferers

be compensated? In 2011, we wrote African mines, is that the local mining

locally was used in other countries such

on

industry

have

as the United Kingdom and Australia to

Court

and

shape occupational health and safety

Thembekile Mankayi versus Anglo Gold

policies and legislation.

Ashanti.

the

policymakers longest

history

experience worldwide in dealing with this problem ‌ Occupational diseases

Constitutional the

case

of

In this judgement it was decided

hosted several high-profile international

that a mineworker, who contracts an

the beginning of commercial mining.

conferences on mine health and safety

occupational disease in the course of

One would be forgiven for thinking that

experience into

around the same period. Yet, the problem

employment, is not barred by Section 35

of

gaining

of occupational diseases in the mines

(1) of the Compensation for Occupational

scientific

insight

has continued with no sign of being

Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) 130

eliminated.

of 1993 from suing the employer

years

and

occupational

Africa

in

have been recognised as a problem since

these

South

landmark

judgment

also

all

Furthermore,

the

diseases

have

yielded cutting-edge solutions to this

The sad reality is that many experts

for damages, in addition to claiming

in this field privately agree that

statutory benefits, provided fault can be

Indeed, in the 1930s, South Africa

occupational diseases in South African

established.

was regarded as a world leader in mine

mines may never be totally eliminated.

At the time the judgment was handed

occupational health and safety research

Mining activities are governed by several

down, it was hailed in the media and

and risk management. Evidence gathered

pieces of legislation, most of which aim

other sections of South African society

problem.

Âť

| SHEQ management

perhaps

and

11

legally speaking

as a major victory for mineworkers. We

Suing employers at common law is

illustration of how slow litigation can be

argued then that this was misplaced

a very slow and expensive process. For

to yield compensation – it can take years

jubilation. If we assume that mining

instance, the Mankayi litigation started

before issues are finalised and, in the

companies are doing all they are required

in the South Gauteng High Court in

interim, victims will be suffering with no

to do, by law, to improve occupational

2006, and the Constitutional Court only

compensation at all.

health and safety, then litigating against

ruled on the existence of Mankayi’s right

them – which requires proving fault – will

to sue the employer in 2011; some five

expensive

not be easy.

years later.

occupational disease cases where issues

Suing employers at common law,

Herein

we

process

–

more

so

in

another

involved can be extremely complex. To

clearly

resolve them, scientific evidence and

historically never been an easy process.

evident soon after the judgment was

expert witnesses are usually required.

In fact, all available evidence suggests

handed down. Many people, including

If there is one area where litigation is

strongly that suing the employer for

some leading media reports, were

not desirable as a compensation option,

damages has been an ineffective option

under the mistaken impression that the

it is occupational disease claims. Large

in many countries, and it is for this

Constitutional Court awarded Mankayi

portions of potential compensation end

reason that workmen’s compensation

damages. It did not. The Constitutional

up being transferred to third parties, such

schemes were introduced in the early

Court merely ruled that Mankayi had a

as lawyers and expert witnesses, leaving

1900s. Suggesting that suing the

right to sue the employer. This means

disease sufferers with very little.

employer is a solution worth celebrating

that, on the question of whether he

The current policy and system for

is, therefore, inconceivable as it takes us

was entitled to any damages at all,

dealing with occupational diseases in

back a hundred years.

the matter was supposed to go back

South African mines seems to be failing,

to the High Court for this issue to be

both in terms of trying to reduce the

determined.

scale of the problem, as well as assisting

which the Manakayi case authorised, has

misconception,

The current system of compensating occupational disease sufferers in the

find

Suing the employer is also an

which

was

mining industry, where they are required

Unfortunately, Mankayi died before

those who are affected by diseases at

to sue their employers, hardly improves

this process (which could have taken

their position. Against the background of

another several years) could begin. Had

What is needed is a system that

high disease rates, which show no signs

this process continued, there was no

responds quickly and fairly to the needs

of improving, the last thing one would

guarantee that damages would have

of occupational disease sufferers,

want to see is a compensation system

been awarded to him. Likewise, it is also

and not one that leaves them at the

that further complicates the position of

uncertain what their quantum would

mercy of lawyers and the slow judicial

occupational disease sufferers.

have been. This serves as a classic

machinery. | SHEQ

work.

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 Wits University as a lecturer in insurance.

• Management awareness presentations • Legal registers • System consultations • Legal training - OHS/MHS Act, Environmental Law, Legal Liability training • Legal consultations and opinions • Legal compliance audits

Legal Risk and Compliance Consultants

| SHEQ management

Legricon offers a wide range of consulting, auditing and training services to assist organisations in achieving and maintaining legal compliance, with specific focus on occupational safety, health and environmental (SHE) management. Legal compliance is necessitated by legal risks associated with non-compliance, as well as by formalised management system frameworks and guidelines such as the King II Code on Corporate Governance, ISO 14000 and OHSAS 18000.

12

‘Clarifying Compliance Complexities’

: 012 345 2388/082 413 3411 : 086 513 8295 : hendrik@legricon.co.za : www.legricon.co.za

LEGRICON

listening

Raising the bar

Mastering the skill of

I

n order to become a great coach and mentor we need to hone our communication skills and, therefore, must explore the possible barriers to effective communication. There are two basic barriers preventing good communication: “perception” and “noise”.

People’s perceptions differ due to a number of factors: past experiences, personal preferences, interest, individual needs, education, environment and first language. As a result, two people communicating will do so from their own unique, individual perspectives.

This form of communication breakdown occurs when the sender assumes that the perception of the receiver is identical to their own. Misunderstanding and confusion result. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance for the sender to acknowledge that everyone has a different perspective and to put themself in the shoes of the receiver before initiating communication.

Another barrier to avoid is that of “noise”. Noise can be either physical or psychological (inside the mind) in nature.

Examples of noise are interruptions, loud equipment, a stuffy atmosphere and other distractions such as writing, speaking, misspelling, typographical errors, ambiguous sentences, bad pronunciation and even a sloppy appearance. These are all classified noise barriers.

Bear the following in mind when

coaching or mentoring someone and avoid being guilty of these nonverbal codes: Space or proximity: Do not invade the person’s space bubble.

Facial expression: This reveals so much of what the sender is feeling. There are six recognisable expressions that appear to cross all cultures: happiness, fear, anger, sadness, disgust and surprise.

Gaze: Looking into someone’s eyes means you are engaging them in conversation, while avoiding eye contact indicates an unwillingness to talk.

Maintaining eye contact shows you are listening and giving the sender your full attention.

Physical appearance: Your clothes and the way you wear them communicates your personality, culture, status and occupation.

Movement: Moving your head or limbs can indicate your willingness to communicate or ignore the other person.

Voice: Not the actual words you use, but the way in which the words are spoken (tone of voice) can convey frustration, depression, tiredness, sarcasm and sincerity. Pay special attention to the way you use your voice.

Listening: This is the most important part of any communication. It is important to remember that communication is a twoway process and the main reason for poor communication, or no communication at all, is the listener not listening. One needs

to consciously pay attention to the person speaking.

What prevents us from being a good listener?

• Multi tasking; we try packing too much into our days and thus have little time to pay attention and listen to anyone.

• Information overload; being exposed to so much detail, knowledge and information makes it difficult to absorb anything else.

We, therefore, switch off when hearing someone speak as our mind tries to rest, resulting in us not listening.

• Tuning out; when we don’t like what we are hearing, we tend to stop listening or change the subject.

• Tiredness; listening requires energy.

Sometimes we are just so tired that we merely stop listening.

• Mental distractions; if we don’t work on giving someone our full attention our minds wander.

Questioning: This is as important as listening. Asking questions builds understanding, promotes a higher level of thinking, encourages others to speak, collects information, finds possible solutions and builds trust.

Ask open-ended questions that will provide additional information to allow for greater understanding of the situation and, thus, continue the conversation.

In the next article we will explore mentoring. | SHEQ

Jannie Koegelenberg is passionate about promoting positive customer experiences. He runs the EDGE Training Consultancy, a leading provider of world class training and development programmes that meaningfully change and impact on people’s lives. He has a 38-year track record in the motor industry, having worked at Mercedes-Benz distributor United Cars and Diesel Distributors, Ford Motor Company SA and Toyota SA Marketing.

| SHEQ management

People talk, but do they really listen? In your quest to be a good mentor, good communications skills are a must

13

Cover story

Of experience and

observation Carel Labuschagne, CEO of IRCA Global, is helping to drive South Africa’s safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) industry to the top

W

orking in the local and global SHEQ industry for

measures of control are put into place. One of the most

nearly 30 years affords a person the experience

important observations is that organisations do not understand

to make some objective observations. One such

how to implement a fully integrated approach,” he explains.

observation Labuschagne has made is that the

“There are companies with good intentions that are trying

“SHEQ issue” is becoming a lot more topical and has escalated

very hard, but do not have a fully integrated strategy to deal with

to the boardroom – as a result of numerous activism factors such

all the complexities, and the management teams responsible

as corporate governance requirements, changing legislation and

for the implementation and maintenance of these strategies

the fact that financial and reputational impacts on organisations

often do not have exposure as to the latest international

could be devastating.

developments. This, in my view, is a big obstacle, because they

“Look at how the shares in BP plunged when its oil rig in the | SHEQ management

Gulf of Mexico blew,” Labuschagne says. “Over £13 billon (R233

14

billion) was knocked off the company’s stock market value.

“So we are seeing a lot more pressure being exerted from the boardroom to ensure that organisations more scientifically identify all pure and speculative risks, and that appropriate

are the drivers of the process.”

This is why Labuschagne has ensured that IRCA has kept up with the changing international landscape; operating in more than 23 countries has been one of the main reasons why it’s able to stay at the forefront of technology.

Labuschagne says that IRCA was one of the first companies

Cover story continuity, management, auditing and software solutions (each of which has it’s own division within IRCA) into context.”

Labuschagne takes a step back to explain the vision behind IRCA: “Right from day one, we wanted to be the preferred provider of integrated operational risk management solutions.

SHEQ is our focus, but it has subsequently expanded drastically into enhancing every aspect of the business via our unique integrated Electronic Business Management System.”

Following an 11-year career as the risk manager within the Barlow Group of companies, and then moving on to become the group general manager for risk for the entire Transnet group (which he proudly explains was one of the most senior positions in the field at the time), Labuschagne started IRCA with only his secretary and one other employee on July 1, 1993.

In 21 years the company has experienced enormous growth.

It now has 160 full-time employees in offices around South Africa, and has international franchises in Oman, Saudi Arabia and Dubai that employ around 80 people. While sub-Saharan Africa is also a big focus point for the company, the Zambian office is among its stars in Africa.

“At the time we entered this market space there was one non-profit organisation and we saw the opportunity to enter as an additional service provider, with a wider scope to give a more holistic solution and incorporate international best practices,” he explains.

In the early years, Labuschagne spent a lot of time overseas with the International Loss Control Institute and was able to deliver papers on the subject in many countries, working closely with safety gurus such as Professor Frank Bird, Professor George Germain and David Bird Junior. With them, he recently co-authored and released the third edition of A Guide to Managing Risk. “This book is prescribed by a number of Universities as apart of their BCom Management Degrees,” he explains. happening around the world because of my exposure to so many

in South Africa that dates back to 1997. “This process has

countries. Today, with our substantial international footprint,

been revolutionised over the last 17 years and has been

we view ourselves as a learning organisation, interfacing with

implemented by numerous organisations globally with huge

relevant associations, and have partnered with Universities and

success,” Labuschagne says.

other niche service providers.”

IRCA has also led the field in risk assessment: “We recruited

It’s this knowledge and experience Labuschagne aims for

some of the world’s leading risk assessment specialists as

IRCA to share. “Many companies are working for the system,

this is a resource that was very scarce in the South African

instead of the system working for them. So executives must

environment at the time. They were at the forefront in bringing

take the time to keep abreast of the latest standards. The day

in technical expertise from the United Kingdom to develop the

that companies make the comment that they have implemented

first real risk assessment programmes,” says Labuschagne.

a standardised system, is becoming irrelevant, as everything

IRCA has constructed its business around a model

they do should be risk based and should address the risks

(Labuschagne’s “baby”) that has influenced the way

associated with their business. The International Standards

organisations can achieve world class sustainability. “We

Organisation (ISO) provides a framework to this effect.

believe this is the first time in South Africa that a business

“There is no rocket science … you just need to understand the

enterprise has been used to incorporate standards into the

complexities of risk and the devastating effects it can have on a

business processes, bringing the aspects of risk assessment,

business.” This is perhaps a simple observation, but also one of

consulting, training, behavioural-based care, business

the most powerful. | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

“I had the privilege of getting a good feel for what was to establish a fully fledged behavioural-based care methodology

15

RISK

Venomous knowledge

Even before little Miss Muffet sat on her Tuffet, human civilisation had a morbid fascination with all types of venomous creatures, notes Jonathan Leeming, CEO of Venom Works. But do we really have to be afraid of them? And how should we manage them in the workplace?

| SHEQ management

“W

16

hat’s worse than lying in bed watching a rain spider crawling on the ceiling? You can feel it plotting and scheming on how it’s going to get you …” Leeming begins, with the audience squirming in their seats.

“Often it’s a paranoia thing – it’s in our imagination. The general perception is that venomous creatures will bite us, sting us or do some sort of harm to us …”

It was clear that many people in the audience attending Leeming’s talk at Noshcon 2014 were there for the morbid fascination aspect (yes, we definitely include ourselves), but there was an altogether more serious side to the talk.

Human industrialisation being what it is, when we alter the natural environment, we are bound to come into contact with wildlife.

“This is especially important in the workplace, for instance on the mines, but that’s no reason to get upset and fear these animals – understanding goes a long way,” Leeming notes. “We often find, however,

that organisations don’t want training on venomous animals until the day they have a snake in the workshop. That’s not a proactive way to go about it,” he says.

It’s not as big a deal as one would imagine, either. Leeming points out that, as with any health and safety risk, managing venomous animals the right way reduces all the associated risks. “With the right mindset, the correct training and the correct personal protective equipment, you can do just about anything.”

This is what Venom Works aims to do, often interactively, by making use of live animals. “We try to touch something inside people, instead of telling them what to do. We look at the people side, the environmental side and the safety side; they all fit together. If you educate people, they will protect and respect the environment – and they will look at animals in a very different way.

“Why must you kill a snake in the workplace? Most people get bitten by a snake when trying to kill it – usually on their hands. There’s no way you’d get bitten on

your hands when you’re just walking in the bush … A bite on the hand means you were trying to handle the animal,” Leeming explains. “All we want employees to do when they find a venomous animal is to not try to kill it, but to call someone to remove it. Those basic steps will promote health and safety with regard to venomous animals.”

“Has anyone in the audience died from a spider bite?”

“The fact is that we have zero direct spider-bite related deaths in our country,” Leeming notes, despite us all having highly dangerous brown button spiders nesting around our homes. “Look for spiky egg sacks under places such as windowsills. They are cosmopolitan creatures; they’ve spread throughout the world due to the moving of goods, but there are a lot of stories, rumours and misdiagnoses regarding spider bites.”

The fact is, for spiders, snakes, scorpions, bees and wasps, venom is a very important form of defence. They won’t just take the first opportunity to waste it, but rather send a warning signal or try to retreat before biting or stinging.

“To get bitten by a snake you have to do something to get that reaction from it. Snakes are not aggressive – they are defensive,” says Leeming. “Look at the Cape Cobra, it rears up and spreads its hood as a warning not to go any nearer, instead of hiding in the shadows until you walk past so it can bite your ankles … If you back

RISK away, it will back down and move on.”

We all know that Scorpions with large pincers and thin tails are the least venomous, but those with big tails and small pincers are highly venomous. In South Africa, two species are known to cause deaths. “If you’re stung by the world’s least venomous scorpion, you’ll itch for about two minutes and that’s it. Get stung by one of the dangerous ones and it’s a ride in a speeding ambulance to the hospital, and hope they have anti-venom … the only treatment for highly venomous scorpions.”

Leeming notes that knowing the behaviour of these creatures is a good thing. Scorpions, for example, come out after the first rains – which makes that the best time to launch awareness campaigns.

The insect we should all be especially weary of, however, is the paper wasp – probably the most venomous creature people most often come into contact with, as they like to make their nests around human habitation. “More people die of wasp and bee stings than snake bites, spider bites and scorpion stings combined … The big risk if you’re stung is an allergic

reaction to the venom, called anaphylaxis.

Again, learning more about them makes them more manageable,” Leeming advises.

“A little bit on information goes a long way …” “… the problem is how to spread it to the whole organisation,” Leeming notes, delving into the Venom Works approach.

This consists of a training and skillsdevelopment plan; from employee induction, general awareness lectures with live creatures, first aid, removal and relocation and dealing with anti-venom.

(Leeming says that there is a lot of misinformation about anti-venom, as well as a lot to learn about the management of it, but organisations mustn’t be afraid to stock and use it.)

Skills development is aimed at the different levels of an organisation with increasing roles and responsibilities.

“Touching the baseline workforce is best done with live animals, not by giving them big manuals. Working with animals is all about being confident and doing so in a calm manner. Just letting someone hold the

creature is a powerful way to change their mind about it.”

Leeming also notes that spending a bit of the training budget on the employees, who have not been trained in first aid, and teaching them the basic policies and procedures of how not to get bitten or stung, means that fewer first aiders will be required.

Correct risk assessment is also a must.

This includes baseline risk assessment, policies and procedures, site location and the location of the preferred medical facility; “simple things”, according to Leeming. “It is also important for your organisation to have organisational policies and procedures aligned to venomous animals.”

It’s clear that managing the risks associated with these creatures is no more daunting than the perceptions most of us have of them. “We’re told that if they bite us we could die, that all snakes are venomous or evil, that nature is out to get us – the reason we’re afraid of these animals is not based on fact,” Leeming reiterates.

Not that it helps with much of the squirming … | SHEQ

Marsh Risk Consulting's (MRC) delivers a range of value-added property risk engineering and loss control identification, assessment and mitigation consulting solutions. Our services, uniquely aligned with each client's organization and objectives, qualify and quantify operational, hazard and business risks associated with real assets and their performance; spanning the lifecycle of a property and its operation, from planning, design, construction, maintenance and renovation to disposal.

RISK ENGINEERING & CONSULTING SERVICES

FIRE ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS

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Process Safety Management Consulting/Audits

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Compliance Risk Assessment

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Fire Team Training & Assessment

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Risk & Risk Management Assessments

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Water Flow & Pressure Testing

•

Fire Training & Education Programs

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Fire Team Equipment Assessment

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Occupational Health & Safety Training Programs

•

Evacuation Risk Assessment

•

Occupational Health & Safety Assessments

•

Design, Implementation & Review of Evacuation Plans

•

Fire Readiness Assessments

•

OHS Risk Assessment

•

Infra-Red Inspection Services

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OSHAS System Design & Implementation

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CONTACT Chris Brits | Tel +27 11 060 7667 | Mobile: +27 83 456 7424 | Email chris.brits@marsh.com; or Michelle van der Westhuizen | Tel +2711 060 7244 | Mobile +27 76 510 3541 | Email michelle.vanderwesthuizen@marsh.com www.marsh-africa.com | Marsh is an authorised financial services provider | FSB/FSP: 8414

| SHEQ management

Our experts provide clients with the information needed to make informed decisions about risks to their property portfolio and business. From property, and machinery and equipment risk engineering and loss control advice to hazard risk assessments natural hazard assessments, and business interruption/supply chain risk studies, we can help you develop a sound strategy aligned with your business objectives to effectively manage property-related exposure.

17

food safety

Safe

snacking It is critical that employers take all due precautions to eliminate the spread of illness or contamination through unsafe handling of foodstuffs. SHEQ MANAGEMENT reports

T

he

Disease

includes rubber aprons, rubber (or

exhibiting its garments made of Tyvek

Prevention

other protective) gloves, rubber boots,

and Tychem, which are designed to

(CDC) and Food and Drug

body covering, head covering, and

help prevent contamination from dust

Administration

(FDA)

face covering; such as masks or visors.

particles, bacteria, spores and parasites

Clothing specifically manufactured for

carried on regular clothing, or the human

infective pathogens, which can easily

use in freezer rooms is also available and

body, during the processing of food.

be transmitted by food workers and

provides protection from frost burn.

Employees working in the food and

cause severe illness. These five food-

One of the focuses of OSH Expo

beverage industry are notoriously prone

borne pathogens, also known as the “big

Africa 2015, to be held between May 12

to slip-hazards on wet or contaminated

five”, include Norovirus, the Hepatitis A

and 14, will be on safe food handling.

floor surfaces. Coba Plastics will be

virus, Salmonella Typhi, Shigella spp. and

It will highlight protective and other

showcasing a wide range of safety

Escherichia coli (E.coli) O157:H7 or other

equipment used in the food and beverage

matting solutions developed for the

entero-hemorrhagic or Shiga toxin-

industry to enhance health and safety of

food and beverage sector.

producing E.coli.

both workers and consumers.

less-infectious

There are also companies, such as

pathogens,

Among the products on show will be

Aspirata, that have experts in the field

which can also be transmitted by

three types of gloves from Honeywell

who can help their clients to adhere

food

consumers

Safety Products, namely; Dexpure gloves,

to industry-specific legal obligations to

through contaminated food, include

Tuffshield Deep Blue gloves and Chainex

ensure safe, quality food and immaculate

Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp.,

gloves. Dexpure gloves are ideal for use

hygiene. With a network of offices

and Streptococcus pyogenes.

employees

to

in the agri-food industry for the final

throughout South Africa, Aspirata’s

is

phase of the processing of fish, meat

team of hygiene, food-safety and quality

necessary, but alone it might not always

and poultry, dairy products, cheese and

specialists and practitioners can assist

successfully remove pathogens from

biscuits. Tuffshield Deep Blue gloves

the industry in complying with its legal

heavily contaminated hands, and infected

provide protection against extreme cut

obligations.

employees may not always be identified

risks, encountered in slaughtering, food

and removed from food preparation

preparation and the fish preparation

Aspirata offers the following services:

activities. The responsibility for providing

industry. Chainex gloves are used when

• Food hygiene, food safety and quality

appropriate

working with knives or cutting and/or

Thorough

| SHEQ management

for

and

in the United States cite five highly

Other

18

Centres

Control

hand

protective

washing

equipment

therefore rests with the employer.

punching tools.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Dromex will also be exhibiting its

in the food and beverage environment

gloves for cold room use. DuPont will be

systems audits; • Legal compliance audits; • Hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) prerequisite

food safety • Due diligence evaluations/investigations; • Food safety and quality: forensic investigations; • Customer/consumer complaint investigations; and • Broiler chickens: humane rearing practices and food safety audits.

Furthermore, Aspirata provides industryspecific

training

and

development

programmes.

South Africa is a major exporter of food-related products, which account for about eight percent of all exports, highlighting the need for increased food safety awareness and certification among local suppliers and producers. If our

programmes: auditing; • Abattoir and dairy audits; • Client-specific second- and third-party audits; • Hazard and risk assessment;

country is to continue its successful food exports to markets in the United States

• Food, water and swab sampling;

and the United Kingdom, which are

• Food poisoning: epidemiological

considered to be the leaders in food

investigations; • Food adulteration and sabotage investigations;

Think Safety. Think Brady!

safety standards, it is imperative that the industry adopts high levels of food safety standards. | SHEQ

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DuPont protective clothing for the food industry.

19

food quality

Best practice and innovation are driving food safety across global supply chains, writes Cor Groenveld, chairman of the Foundation for Food Safety Certification and global head of Food Supply Chain Services for Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA)

T

he globalisation of supply chains and the need for transparency and traceability have triggered changes in the way food safety is approached.

While innovation, collaboration and change are driving food safety across global supply chains, there is more to be done. Each year: • About 1,8 million people die from contaminated food and water; • There are an estimated two-billion cases of food-borne illnesses; • An estimated one in four to six people in developed countries suffer from a foodborne disease; • In the United States, food-borne illnesses cause 5 000 deaths and cost US$ 162 billion (about R1,8 trillion).

In 2000, leading global manufacturers and retailers united to form the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), primarily to drive the harmonisation of food safety standards and certification.

Since then, experts have been collaborating in numerous technical working groups to tackle food safety issues defined by GFSI stakeholders.

Together with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), the GFSI has driven the move towards a set of globally accepted management standards.

While robust independent assessment underpins an organisation’s commitment to food safety, there is also a need for the auditors to have a consistent level of experience and expertise. This is known as “calibration”. Fundamental to ensuring the integrity of the assessment process, calibration assures auditors that their assessment reports have been completed consistently and their operations conform to the relevant standard or scheme – irrespective of geographical location.

Mark Overland, director for Global Certification at Cargill, agrees: “We are rolling out FSSC 22000 to over 1 000 plants in 67 countries. Our customers expect to have the same level of food safety execution at every plant.”

Increasingly, organisations such as Cargill are taking a global, integrated approach to supply chain and food safety.

Another development is the increasing use by organisations of customised second-party audits. This allows an organisation to work with a certification body to develop a bespoke management system and audit approach, which includes the certification audits and incorporates industry best practice with companyspecific systems and processes. In addition to the system becoming more robust over time, the audit process begins to drive internal efficiencies and identify areas for further training and improvement.

Some of the world’s leading organisations have turned to customised assurance programmes. Audits are undertaken by skilled and calibrated assessors, who cover all the requirements and processes relevant to the organisation, resulting in reporting that visualises the level of compliance and enables the organisation to improve.

Cathy Stannard, global head of Quality & Food Safety Management at Mars, Incorporated explains: “For Mars, a quality management programme – that is compatible with the requirements set out in the GFSI recognised schemes – offers us consistency and efficiency, which helps across the entire supply chain.”

Whatever the approach, the integrity of the audit ultimately depends on the expertise, experience, training, knowledge and insight of the auditing team.

Management standards and assessment are helping to ensure that issues can be quickly identified and corrected. Manufacturers and retailers, that previously may have considered improved efficiencies as the main indicator for success, are now putting management systems at the heart of their organisations.

In these times of ongoing food scares and economic uncertainty, this could prove to be a key differentiator and an ongoing source of competitive advantage. | SHEQ

Auditor competency: a key to

| SHEQ management

food safety

20

HINTS AND TIPS

All about aid for minor

injuries Employers need to ensure that the workplace is a zero harm zone …

They are, unfortunately, faced with another reality – incidents do occur.

According to Occupational Health & Safety Training (OHST), a company that lives up to its name, the employer has a duty of care and needs to ensure that an affected employee is provided with the proper level of treatment

Compliance According to the General Safety Regulations (GSR) 3 (4) of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, 85 of 1993, employers must ensure that competent first-aid people are appointed to deal with minor injuries.

These people must be trained by an institute that is approved by the Department of Labour and must have a valid certificate or carry card. These have a validity period of three years,

whereafter the first aider has to be retrained.

Employers also need to ensure that their first-aid kits, with the necessary contents, are strategically positioned within the workplace. The contents of the first-aid kit must meet the minimum requirements as per the Annexure in the GSR. Additional information Additional first-aid equipment, over and above the minimum requirements, may also be included – depending on the nature of the incidents that are most likely to occur in a certain work area.

For example, if there’s the possibility of large lacerations or amputations in a certain area – where blades or saws are frequently used – then a blood-spill

kit and trauma pads would be a great addition to a standard first-aid kit.

For organisations that handle or use hazardous chemical substances, an eyewash fountain and emergency shower should be available and operable. First aiders must also have access to the relevant Material Safety Data Sheet (a document that contains information on the potential health effects of exposure to chemicals) in order to effectively treat these types of medical incidents and prevent them from becoming worse.

Conclusion Department of Labour inspectors may visit your site at any time to verify compliance with regard to this regulation. But compliance could mean a lot more than just keeping out of trouble … | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

O

ccupational harm can include near misses; minor injuries; lost-time; disabling injuries; or, sadly, fatalities.

OHST provides some useful information on first-aid treatment that is usually administered for minor injuries:

21

SHEQ IN TRANSPORT ????????????????

Singing the

SHEQ song One of the most memorable cinematic intros, ever, is probably that of The Sound of Music, where Maria (a mischievous nun turned governess, played by Dame Julie Andrews), sings her way through a picturesque meadow … But JACO DE KLERK discovers that the hills are alive with the sound of SHEQ – the transport hills that is

T

he

world

has

probably

It isn’t the size that counts, but

30 of these stations around Grenoble,

changed more during the

how you use it

with a total of 120 charging points for

past century than it did in

In October, urban transport became more

the project and 41 for other plug-in

the

millennium.

economical in the French city of Grenoble

vehicles to be added.

Technological advancements have flung

– thanks to a partnership between the City

“The main advantages for our users will

humanity towards greater connectivity,

of Grenoble; Grenoble-Alpes Métropole

be the ability to pick up and drop off cars at

enhanced accessibility to information

(an intercommunal structure of Grenoble

different locations, and the flexibility of a

and greater ease of movement.

and some of its suburbs); the French

very small vehicle for short trips,” explains

electricity company EDF and its affiliate

Martin Lesage, director of Cité lib.

previous

You can talk to anyone, anywhere in

the

world,

in

real

time;

see

how loved ones are doing across various

social

Dubbed Cité lib by Ha:Mo (for harmonious

The SHEQ song isn’t limited to land-bound

access almost any information via

mobility), the innovative three-year trial

folk, however. DCD Marine Cape Town is

the World Wide Web; and travel to

project is a new take on a car-sharing

also proving that safety and quality are a

virtually anywhere in the world within

scheme – using 70 EVs from Toyota (35

core part of its business. DCD Marine Cape

hours …

three-wheeled i-Road models and 35 four-

Town is part of the DCD Marine Cluster,

wheeled COMS electric vehicles).

which provides ship repair solutions to the

more

rights

have

also

and

gained

protection

The idea is to provide a link between

marine, oil and gas sectors. It has shipyard

in workplaces. In addition, businesses,

public transport and the “first or last

facilities in Walvis Bay, Saldanha, Ngqura,

civil

society

kilometre”, so that commuters won’t

East London and Durban.

have

realised

and the

governments importance

of

feel that they need to take their cars,

The company complies with global

protecting the environment and our

which means less pollution and traffic

SHEQ regulations and standards and is

planet.

congestion. Using an app, users can

fully certified with, among others, the

reserve and pay for one of these EVs

Lloyds International Organisation for

located at their usual stop.

Standardisation (ISO) 9001:2008 quality

A stellar example is Toyota. The | SHEQ management

company does its environmental part

22

SHEQ not only for landlubbers

service) and of course Toyota.

platforms;

Individuals

media

Sodetrel; Cité lib (Grenoble’s car-sharing

with the development of hybrid and

Once

commuters

reach

their

management system.

electric vehicles (EVs), but also conquers

destination, a flash of their smartphone

As part of its SHEQ programme, the

metaphorical mountains through the

releases their ride from its charging

company holds regular “safety days”

way it builds these eco-cruisers …

station and they’re off. There are around

during which its project team members,

The safety days feature various

or a rig manager, to take ownership

employees, take time out to focus on all

activities, including risk assessment

and be proactive. By making use of the

safety-related issues and processes.

exercises and presentations. These provide

systems we have in place, such as ‘Start/

DCD Cape Town states that the

an overview of the project with specific

Stop’, individual team members can work

underlying purpose of these safety days

reference to safety policies, procedures

together to ensure safe working practices

is to reinforce one of its stated company

and standards to be enforced throughout

at all times.”

values: “One team, one goal”. Gerry Klos,

its duration.

Klos emphasises: “For our clients,

general manager, explains: “When it comes

Elmie continues: “The project team

safety and quality are critical factors in

to providing a world-class turnkey project

leadership is empowered with the

determining our competency and capacity

management service to our clients, it is

knowledge of exactly how safety

to execute a project safely and on time.

critical that every member of the project

will be managed during the project.

Our safety days serve to reinforce our

team is aligned. It is only then that we

The challenge is to ensure that this

proven international HSE track record,

can achieve our goal, which is an incident-

knowledge successfully filters down to

strengthen our client relationships, and

free, 100 percent on-time delivery on all

all levels of the team. This is particularly

ensure that we continue to provide a

planned shipyard projects.”

important for people joining the team at

world-class service as one team, with one

Abdullah Elmie, health, safety and

a later stage, which is why we have HSE

goal.”

environmental (HSE) manager at DCD

induction sessions and ongoing safety

Marine Cape Town, adds: “We have

awareness training.”

Music to one’s ears systems

It is clear that the entire transport

years for major projects and they have

(called “Start/Stop”) and group hazard

sector is singing the SHEQ song as it

proved to be very effective. They provide

identification and risk assessment (HIRA)

is embracing the acronym to the fullest

an invaluable opportunity for all parties

sessions also form a key part of safety

extent – and is likely to do so well into

to discuss safe methods of implementing

days, notes Elmie.

the future.

mission-critical activities, prior to the commencement of the project.”

Project

observation

“The aim is for each individual working on the rig, whether he or she is a labourer

Isn’t it just music to your ears … (Cue picturesque meadow.) | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

organised safety days over the past few

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

SHEQ IN TRANSPORT

as well as key sub-contractors and their

40 23

ELECTRA

MINING

What’s mine

is mine More than 850 exhibitors showed off their innovations, products, services and technologies, across 38 000 m² of exhibition space at the Electra Mining Africa 2014 exhibition.

It took place at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg, from September 15 to 19. CLAIRE RENCKEN reports

| SHEQ management

E

24

lectra Mining Africa is driven

into Africa for local and global investors.

International manufacturer,

protective Charnaud,

clothing

by a powerful motivator: to

This year, visitors again saw many

used

be the ultimate marketplace

leading-edge South African companies in

exhibition as a platform to launch a new

the

for all stakeholders involved

the packed halls, marquees and outside

range of four-in-one personal protective

in the mining, construction, industrial,

precincts. There were also various

suits, which provide protection in severe

machine tool and power-generation

high-profile

heat applications.

industries. Since its inception, more than

According to Gary Corin, MD of Specialised

40 years ago, the show has grown so

Exhibitions Montgomery, organiser of the

clothing (PPC) garments are made from

dramatically that it has earned its place

biennial show: “The support received

fabrics that ensure the user is sufficiently

as the second-largest mining show in the

from exhibitors and general business for

protected against life-threatening hazards

world, and is recognised as a gateway

the 2014 show was outstanding.”

such as fire, static, electric-arc flash and

international

exhibitors.

Metal-Safe

personal

protective

ELECTRA

MINING

ABOVE: Charnaud launched its new Metal-Safe range at the show.

BELOW: Renttech not only showcased its vast range of machinery and equipment, but also a full range of PPE.

can be washed in water at residential

The

MSA

Group

celebrated

its

Charnaud founder and chairman,

or industrial laundries. Charnaud also

100th anniversary at the exhibition. In

Andrew Charnaud, says that Electra

exhibited its existing range of tried-and-

recognition of this milestone, visitors to

Mining was the ideal event for the new

tested protective garments.

the company’s stand got to take a trip

product launch. “The African mining

Charnaud points out that the company

through time and see how far the MSA

sector’s top decision-makers form part of

has been exhibiting at Electra Mining

range of products has come during the

the comprehensive guest list at Electra

since 2010. “We cater for a highly

last century.

Mining, which made it the ideal platform

specialised industry, and solve complex

The theme of the 90 m² MSA Africa

to launch Metal-Safe.”

clothing issues that save lives across the

stand was inspired by the layout of an

mining, metal pouring, electric, cold, wet

underground mineshaft. The products

and fire industries,” he adds.

were all depicted on a dedicated timeline

The Metal-Safe range is available in one- and two-piece coverall options, and

»

| SHEQ management

severe molten-red metal splash.

25

ELECTRA

MINING

ABOVE LEFT AND RIGHT: The MSA stand hosted in-depth and interactive presentations on various products.

LEFT: ACDC Green Energy Solutions hit the ground running at this year’s show, with an exciting line-up of new products and services.

showcased its extensive range of products and services at Electra Mining.

This year was no different. Charles Woods, managing member of ACDC Green Energy Solutions, comments: “Electra Mining is a great platform to inject new innovations, products and services directly into the arterial line of the southern African economy. We hit the ground running at this year’s show, with an exciting line-up running from 1914 to 2014. MSA Africa

Mining. The company rents and sells a

of new products and services that were

managing director, Colin Oliver, says

vast range of welding, power-generation,

extremely well received and generated

“Electra Mining is an ideal event at which

lifting and rigging, as well as construction-

good interest.

to celebrate this special anniversary.

related equipment and solutions. It also

“As all exhibitors know, at every show,

It is the premier mining conference

sells a full range of personal protective

there are the ‘tyre kickers’, the ‘catalogue

in Africa, with the most high-profile

equipment (PPE).

collectors’ and the ‘peppermint pinchers’. operations

However, in amongst this motley crew,

enables us to highlight our vast range

manager at Renttech South Africa, says:

there are the ‘real deals’. Fortunately,

of safety products and also to lay the

“To be a participant at this show gives

Electra Mining seems to attract more of

foundations for meaningful and long-

the company a significant advantage, as

the latter than the former.”

lasting relationships.”

customers can see and experience our

decision makers all in attendance. It

During the exhibition, knowledgeable

The

company’s

extensive

range

of smart meters, the Integra motor

products and services.”

Renttech South Africa made use of a

controllers, innovative solar solutions and its engineered power factor correction

interactive presentations on various

welding

solutions wowed the crowds, according

recently launched, as well as tried-and-

Mining. The company shared its stand

trusted MSA products. These included the

with principal partner Lincoln Electric, and

The next Electra Mining Africa

Luminator cap lamp, the Altair 4X mining

demonstrated a number of new products

exhibition will be held at Nasrec from

multigas detector, the V-Gard hardhats

that are available for existing and

September 12 to 16, 2016. With over

and the Advantage 400 half mask.

upcoming projects throughout Africa.

40 000 visitors expected to attend the

managers

| SHEQ management

Opperman,

specially designed mobile unit to conduct

and experienced MSA Africa product

26

Martiens

hosted

in-depth

and

demonstrations

at

Electra

Renttech South Africa also showcased

ACDC Green Energy Solutions (a

its rental and sales capabilities at Electra

division of ACDC Dynamics) has previously

to Woods.

show, many exhibitors have already booked their stands. | SHEQ

Saiosh

Saiosh – South Africa’s leading Professional Health and Safety Body With more than 3 000 members, Saiosh is South Africa’s leading professional health and safety body.

Saiosh makes use of a state-of-the-art online membership programme that offers its members great benefits, including: easy online application, updating of member profiles, uploading of CPD points, networking and communication. Saiosh is the appointed registration board for IOSH SA and registers professional health and safety practitioners on four SAQA-registered designations: Associate Member (AIOSHSA), Technical Member (TechIOSHSA), Graduate Member (GradIOSHSA) and Chartered Member Saiosh is the registration board for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health South Africa (IOSH SA), which is recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as a professional body to register Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professionals in South Africa. Saiosh is the leading source for information and networking opportunities within the OHS profession with members from a wide range of industries from the

private and public sector. Our non-profit organisation represents individuals and organisations committed to the enhancement of the OHS discipline. Saiosh is the choice for OHS professionals and practitioners in southern Africa, dedicated to the advancement of the OHS profession, through research, promotion, education, upliftment, training, guidance and strong relationships with other OHS stakeholders.

OHS Conference 12-13 May 2015 alongside OSH EXPO Africa 2015 For more information visit www.saiosh.co.za www.saiosh.co.za

Saiosh Head Office Tel: 010 001 7455 | Email: info@saiosh.co.za

Saiosh – “Keeping You Informed”

nosCAR

AWARDS

Stone set safety

Natal Portland Cement-Cimpor (NPC) has set its safety standards in cement. The company is a member of the InterCement Group (present in nine countries with 39 plants), which is part of the Carmago Correa Group – Brazil’s second-largest engineering and construction company, specialising in hydro-electrical power plant construction

M

athura Brijlall, NPC’s group safety health and environment (SHE) manager, sums up the company’s take on occupational health and safety: “The safety and well-being of workers are fundamental values, which are deeply rooted in our company’s culture. It is a norm to always focus on the active prevention of

| SHEQ management

Giovanni Lodetti, industrial director at NPC-Cimpor, receives his award from Justin Hobday and Duncan Carlisle.

28

occupational risks, not to tolerate unsafe actions and to ensure that healthy and safe conditions are upheld, leading to the well-being of staff at workplaces.”

He continues: “NPC recognises that it uses significant amounts of natural resources. These have an impact on

the ambient environment and must be appropriately managed.” Brijlall adds that the company focuses on meeting legal requirements as well as on upholding best practice.

NPC is definitely living up to these claims as it has been announced the winner of the NOSA Integrated Five Star System, D4 sector industry category competition.

This sector focuses on the manufacture of rubber and plastic products; non-metallic mineral products; basic metals; fabricated metal products; machinery and equipment; electrical, optical and transport equipment; manufacturing that’s not classified elsewhere and recycling.

“The Noscar awards are a reflection of the Group’s exceptional leadership; a well-enforced management system; and the commitment of employees to change behaviour, to observe rules and regulations, to take responsibility for their actions and, above all, to care about others,” emphasises Brijlall.

“The company achieved a significant milestone with the Simuma operations (in Port Shepstone) achieving more than 3,5 million man-hours and, in Durban, one million man-hours, without a disabling injury,” he tells SHEQ MANAGEMENT. “These safety performance outputs depict that the NOSA management systems are

working for the company,” he adds.

Brijlall continues: “The commitment and dedication to safety, health and environment is strong, and it is evident from the number of awards that various companies, Group-wide, have achieved for outstanding performances.” He adds that recognition of these achievements has been a driving force on the ground, as employees eagerly await the SHE performance scores whenever NOSA performs external audits.

NPC has also identified the risks associated with vehicles delivering products via public roads. The company has, therefore, implemented safety awareness programmes that focus exclusively on drivers,” says Brijlall The external focus doesn’t end there, however … “Without a shadow of doubt, being part of the InterCement Group has extended the company’s participation in social and environmental activities outside of the company’s fences,” Brijlall points out.

“This affords employees and their family members opportunities to partake in social activities such as school refurbishments, planting of vegetable gardens and working with old age homes.”

He says that it is a privilege to be part of an international group that focus on the triple bottom line. | SHEQ

nosCAR

AWARDS

Working the

safety system

Occupational health and safety is often plagued by a culture of noncompliance; it is often only enforced when auditors are coming to town, or only the bare minimum is done in order to adhere to legislation … Wilec, a division of ACTOM, is not such a company

What does occupational health and safety mean to Wilec?

With the aid of the NOSA CMB 253 occupational health and safety management system, it gives us peace of mind to know that we have a systemised focus in our organisation that drives the health, safety and wellbeing of our people at all levels of our structure.

What are your sentiments regarding the Noscar Awards?

These awards recognise the contribution of organisations, and their people, in achieving a consistently high standard of health and safety focus in the business.

Winning one of these awards speaks to a team-wide achievement in an organisation.

What value do these accolades add to the industry?

These awards drive the systems already in place to a new level, and underpin the commitment and contribution of organisations in ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. I believe the awards are achievable with dedicated hard work. They are highly prized and sought after.

How many Noscars did you win this year, and how many have you won, in total, thus far?

We won one this year – our second in total.

Why, would you say, did you win these?

Winning a Noscar is a team

Louis Blom, sales and marketing executive (left), and Howard Eldridge, operations executive, show off Wilec’s slew of Noscar and Nosa grading awards. accomplishment; it speaks to the achievements of our people. The team identified this as a goal that we then set out to reach. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved.

What are your health and safety plans going forward?

We plan to focus on improving our systems from both an implementation (shop floor) and development perspective. | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

W

ilec – a manufacturer, importer, stockist and distributor of input materials to the electrical-motor and transformer repair and manufacturing industries – serves a diverse range of industries with more than 6 000 products, which are stocked in five major distribution centres nationally …

It’s no wonder that the company uses some hi-tech logistical IT systems to ensure that the right products get to where they need to go.

Logistics isn’t the only “discipline” that Wilec values, however, as its operations executive, Howard Eldridge, reveals:

29

nosCAR

AWARDS

Where the rubber meets the (safety) road You don’t need to be an avid

However, it’s not only about

motorsport supporter to realise that

going “green” … The company is also

the rubber industry has had to evolve

unyielding when it comes to employee

at the same pace as the vehicles it

health and safety. Karbochem’s

serves … Karbochem, an international

Sasolburg site and Bruma offices

producer of synthetic rubbers, is

received their 30th Noscar – dubbed

doing just this – with some added

the Oscars of health, safety and

SHEQ flair.

environmental management – while

Paul Pothas, Karbochem SHERQ

the Newcastle site received its sixth

Looking to the future, Pothas

general manager, explains that the

Noscar at this year’s Noshcon awards

states that the company has set

company produced its first synthetic

banquet.

common group targets: “We are

rubber in Sasolburg half a century ago.

Pothas also received an accolade

pursuing these to ensure that ‘an

“In 1983 we commenced production

for his efforts in respect to safety,

injury to one is an injury to all’

in Newcastle.”

health and the environment.

philosophy becomes common to all

He adds: “Changes in the tyre

He notes that the company

sites and offices in the group. We

manufacturing industry impact the

is proud of the accolades that it

can then all celebrate together when

synthetic rubber producers all the

receives, as they demonstrate how

milestones are reached.

time. The way in which we are able to

serious it is about occupational health

respond will determine our future.”

and safety.

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 | SHEQ management

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

30

“Expect us to be at the next Noscar Awards for more!”

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.

Instrumentation

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

nosCAR

AWARDS

A chemical reaction to

safety

Occupational health and safety is paramount in any industry … Senmin, a manufacturer and supplier of chemicals to the mines, is showing that this industry is stepping up to the plate when it comes to health, safety and environmental sustainability perception

fascinating:

it’s

is easily

employees, customers and the community in which it operates,” says Labuschagne.

amendable and notoriously

Senmin’s manufacturing plant also

difficult to change at the

boasts various International Organisation

same time … It’s no wonder that people

for Standardisation (known as ISO)

cringe or go “(environ)mental” when

accreditations; namely ISO 9001:2008

confronted with some of the things that

(certificates for quality management

happen in the chemical industry.

systems),

Companies

such

as

ISO

14001

(accreditation

Operations director Frans Labuschagne (left) and Piet Stewart, SHE manager, are full of smiles over their Nosa accolade.

Senmin

for environmental management) and

top – thereby ensuring that the tanker is

International, with its main operations and

the international NSF certification for

empty before departing.”

distribution centre based in Sasolburg, are

PAM plants, which allows the products

In order for the liquid to be discharged

demonstrating that this industry is serious

to be used in drinking water and food

from the bottom of the tanker, a manhole,

about occupational health, safety and the

applications.

situated at the top of the tank, needs to

environments they operate in … which isn’t going unnoticed.

The company states that, in 2007,

be opened. “Opening the manhole allows

the crucial need to improve the utilisation

air inflow from the top – creating a suck

The company won its fifth Noscar,

of scarce resources, such as water and

and flow type action – allowing product

at this year’s Noshcon awards banquet,

energy, was amplified in the mining

to be discharged through the bottom of

in recognition of its health, safety and

industry. It responded to this by investing

the tank,” says Jansen van Vuuren. “If

environmental management practices.

in chemical technology, building its new

this doesn’t happen, the tank will cave

“These accolades enhance the image of

production facilities and expanding its

in and crumple like a Coke tin – there are

chemical companies to the public at large,”

capacity in order to meet the growing

tremendous pressures and dangers.”

says Frans Labuschagne, operations

demands of mines throughout South and

director at Senmin.

southern Africa, Australasia and Chile.

To address this, Senmin, Cargo Carriers and GRW developed a pneumatic valve

He adds that it is important to have

Senmin, along with its supply chain and

(to open the manhole from the bottom of

unbiased, third-party proof of your safety

logistics service provider, Cargo Carriers,

the tank) along with a Perspex “spyglass”

standards. “You need to have a good safety

and tanker manufacturer, GRW, is also

on the discharge pipe – ensuring that no

record to be acknowledged by NOSA. An

pioneering a safety feature in vehicles

product remains inside the tanker.

award such as this demonstrates – to the

used to deliver chemicals to the mines.

It

is

clear

that

this

chemical

public and our clients – our high safety

Andre Jansen van Vuuren, divisional

manufacturer is serious about health,

standards and adds weight to our safety

director for marketing at Cargo Carriers,

safety and the environment. Looking

claims.”

explains (as reported in a previous

towards the future, Labuschagne is

These include that the company is

edition): “It is standard procedure in the

unwavering: “The goal remains: zero

able to safely handle, distribute and

industry for drivers to climb up onto

injuries and minimal impact on the

prepare potentially dangerous and difficult

the top of the tanker, using a ladder,

environment.”

chemical reagents on site. “Senmin strives

and physically open the manhole, then

towards a safe work environment for all

visually monitor the discharge from the

See you at the next Noscars Senmin. | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

H

uman

31

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

PPE

MSA’s Workman Tripod is easy to use.

Built for durability and versatility a simple setup procedure makes the process quick and promotes correct use.

Features that improve ease of use include: • Legs automatically lock in the open position for added safety.

• A maximum height indicator provides quick and easy identification of the maximum leg extension length.

• There is no need for a separate pulley/bracket assembly, which makes hoist attachment easier and faster.

• Accessories can attach to any leg for faster setup.

• Aluminium leg and head design reduces weight, improving portability.

• Telescoping legs do not tangle when the unit is collapsed, for easier transportation and storage.

Head Protection eyond Comparison

MSA’s Workman Tripod is easy to use. Built for durability and versitility a simple setup procedure makes the process quick and promotes correct use. Features that improve ease of use include: • Legs automatically lock in the open position for added safety.

• A maximum height indicator provides quick and easy identification of the maximum leg extension length.

• There is no need for a separate pulley/bracket assembly, which makes hoist attachment easier and faster.

• Accessories can attach to any leg for faster set up.

Head Protection Head Protection ond Comparison Workman d Comparison Workmans Tripod Tripod

• Aluminium leg and head design reduces weight, improvingportability.

• Telescoping legs do not tangle when the unit is collapsed, for easier transportation and storage.

y it before you buy it! Once you experience the MSA V-Gard Helmet, you’ll derstand why it is the best-selling industrial hard hat available today. MSA’s mple program allows you to experience the MSA V-Gard Helmet before purchasing. d, with an array of options and features, you can customize the MSA V-Gard Helmet fit your individualized needs.

Durable, Versatile rable, Vesatile

Please visit our newly launched website:

www.MSAsafety.com

| SHEQ management

experience head protection beyond comparison, 'Try it before you buy it!' ntact MSA customer service at 1-800-MSA-2222 today.

buy it! Once you experience the MSA V-Gard Helmet, you’ll s the best-selling industrial hard hat available today. MSA’s ore you buy it! Once you experience the MSA V-Gard Helmet, A • 1-800-MSA-2222 / ID 5666a wsNorth you America to experience the MSA V-Gard Helmet before purchasing. erstand why it is the best-selling industrial hard hat available options and features, you can customize the MSA V-Gard Helmet A’s sample program allows you to try the MSA V-Gard Helmet 32 And, with an array of options and features, you can rchasing. the MSA V-Gard Helmet to fit your'Try indivualized protection beyond comparison, it before needs. you buy it!'

Phone: 0861 SAFETY (723389) +27 11 610-2600 Please visit our newly launched website: www.MSAsafety.com Because has a purpose...

Please visit our newly every launched life website: www.MSAsafety.com

www.MSAsafety.com Because every life has a purpose...

PPE

Something for the

ladies Often, women are less fortunate than men when it comes to finding personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits properly. CLAIRE RENCKEN takes a look at how some suppliers are catering specifically for the fairer sex

Hardhats – Adding a chin strap can

Its equipment is branded and designed

from hazards if it does not fit

help hardhats or caps fit better and not

by a woman – the director of Etekweni

properly. A Canadian study

fall off.

Safety,

Health

and

Environmental

has proved that equipment

Safety goggles – Beware of goggles

Services – for women. It is a Proudly

designed for men will not fit women

that state “one size fits all” – some

South African brand and conforms

properly, due to differences in body

may be too large for a woman’s face

to South African National Standards

size, height and composition. Women

and could allow objects, fluids or other

(SANS) requirements.

are not simply smaller versions of men –

hazardous material to enter through

their body configuration is different. So

gaps in the seals.

employers need to keep women in mind when purchasing PPE.

Safety boots are, arguably, one of the most difficult pieces of PPE

Protective clothing – Taking a

for female workers to find. A typical

man’s garment and modifying it to fit

woman’s foot is both shorter and

Ill-fitting gloves and hardhats, for

a woman, such as rolling up sleeves or

narrower than a typical man’s foot, so

example, can affect safety. If gloves

pant legs, can be dangerous, because

a smaller boot may be the right length,

don’t fit correctly and are too big, a

the excess material can get caught in

but not the right width. So, one can’t

worker will most likely be more clumsy.

machinery.

merely assume that a woman can wear

If her hardhat falls off every time she

Safety gloves – Ensure all exposed

looks up, that’s not a good thing either

skin is covered. The gloves should allow

– she may need to use one hand to hold

for a safe grip, so that tools will not

Bagshaw Footwear’s Shu! safety

it on.

easily slip out of the hands. The finger

shoes for women offer both femininity

length, width and palm circumference

and functionality. Shu! safety footwear

Some PPE tips for women:

of the gloves must match those of the

is designed specifically for women,

Earplugs – Disposable, foam earplugs

hands.

and caters for both the broader and

are more likely to fit women, who typically have smaller ear canals.

SHE PPE is a company that has recognised the need for women’s PPE.

a smaller version of a boot designed with a man’s foot in mind.

the narrower foot, without sacrificing style. | SHEQ

| SHEQ management

P

PE cannot protect a worker

33

34

| SHEQ management

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

interesting

When I was in industry, we had a

question related to an incident

asked

an

near-miss situation where a recently

that highlighted the issue of

promoted

health and safety when changing

machinery greaser. He was required to

3. Did the company perform working

enter into guarded areas to grease the

at height medical examinations on the

A delivery vehicle had a driver and

machinery. The company then discovered

employee for the new climbing job

an assistant. The assistant’s job was to

that he was an epileptic. Imagine the

description?

climb up onto a ten-metre-high hopper

ramifications of him having a seizure

to open the lid for product delivery.

within a guarded machinery area.

an employee’s job description.

employee

was

made

between the parties (a Labour Relations Act/human resources requirement)?

a

4.

Was any safe working practice

The company decided to change the

The situation now arises whereby

established and/or safety equipment

operation to have a driver doing both job

it is easy to blame and discipline the

provided, and was the employee given

functions going forward.

employee

training

when,

effectively,

the

in terms of hopper climbing

The driver was then found to be

company appears not to have done its

(OHS Act section 8 (2e))?

employing and paying an assistant to

duty in terms of health and safety. If this

perform the elevated work task of

non-employee had fallen from a height

5. Were the changes to the employee’s job

opening the hopper lid on his behalf,

and died, the Department of Labour

description (involving climbing) discussed

as he was afraid of heights. In doing

would ask questions and would require

by the health and safety committee?

so, he was breaking a company rule

written proof that the company had

If so, what were the committee’s

by having a non-employee travelling

complied with its duties in terms of

recommendations in this regard?

in (and climbing up onto the top of)

health and safety.

the vehicle, and was thereby giving

The following questions might be

Should the company not have proof of

rise to vicarious liability risks for the

put to the company that decided to

taking such health and safety issues

company.

change the employment conditions of

into consideration, and should such an

the employee, who now has to work at

employee be disciplined or dismissed

employee job descriptions are changed

heights:

for taking action to avoid his fear of

without any consideration for the

1. Was a risk assessment of the

heights, he is likely to win the case

possible health and safety issues and

anticipated changes to the employee’s

at the Commission for Conciliation,

exposures the job change causes.

duties performed (Occupational Health

Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), as

In most cases, job restructuring,

and Safety (OHS) Act section 8 (2c & d))?

the company erred on its legal health

This raises the issue of how often

and safety duty.

downsizing, and so on, result in employees

having

an

additional

2.

Was

the

employee’s involving

the

job

What is your company doing about

climbing

the health and safety issues when job

new

workload thrust upon them, especially

description,

with staff reductions occurring.

requirement, negotiated and signed off

changes are being made? | SHEQ

Making change work

safely | SHEQ management

I

was

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

Safety

Leighton Bennett – safety, health, environment and risk management consultant and committee member of the Safety First Association – discusses the health and safety issues of changing an employee’s job

35

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