NOSA Element 1

Department

Appoint a suitable person to take responsibility for building work.

Appoint an assistant to take responsibility for building work (if building work is in progress on the premises).

Appoint a responsible person for demolition and excavation work (if such work is in progress on the premises).

A formal, documented (written or computerized) preventative maintenance schedule for structures and buildings should be prepared. Maintenance must be carried out as per the schedule.

Identify crucial property items and schedule maintenance thereof.

Structural integrity vis á vis environmental impacts identified and included on maintenance schedule, e.g. maintenance of acid proof floors, bund walls, etc.

Structural integrity vis á vis health impacts identified and included on maintenance schedule, e.g. integrity and material of wall constructed to prevent radioactive radiation from affecting persons outside the room where the source is kept, or gauze to prevent malaria mosquitoes from entering buildings in areas where malaria is endemic.

Environmental aspects of maintenance work, e.g. integrity of bund walls to prevent a spill.

Formulate a reporting and replacement system for defective lights. Defective lights should be replaced within a reasonable time from the date

Regularly, according to the task, conduct light surveys (normally at least every 2 years). Follow up and correct any lighting deficiencies identified during the light survey.

It is recommended that a formal survey (normally by an AIA) includes all emergency lights to confirm that lighting levels conform to the legally prescribed lux levels required.

Where lighting levels are found to be below the legally prescribed lux levels, implement the necessary corrective actions.

Where it is necessary to stop machinery or shut down plant or processes before evacuating the workplace, or where dangerous materials are present or dangerous processes are carried out, the emergency luminance should meet legal requirements (if applicable).

Emergency lighting should be tested for efficient operation at regular intervals (see legal requirements).

Identify possible environmental incidents stemming from not being seen or being able to see (link 5.02).

Vision requirement as part of the inherent job requirement identified, e.g. partly sighted, blind, colour blindness, etc. (link 5.03 and 5.32).

Vision requirements for the aged identified and addressed.

A survey is carried out to determine where safety glass is needed in all areas of the premises.

Any large glass panes, such as those in large doors, are marked in such a way that they are visible, to prevent persons from accidentally walking into them.

To conduct a safety glass survey it is recommended that the applicable building regulations of the country be used as a reference. Ensure all areas surveyed are defined in the report.

Identify hazards relating to air quality in the workplace (link 2.17).

Identify hazards relating to confined space entry with regard to air quality (link 5.52).

All ventilation and air conditioning systems should be inspected on a regular basis. The frequency of inspections should be determined by the risks posed by hazards associated with ventilation.

Ventilation systems should be included on the planned maintenance schedule of the organisation (link 2.10).

Regular testing of central air conditioning and humidifier systems for the presence of bacteria and pathogenic organisms is recommended.

Where necessary the WBGT index should be measured. If the WBGT index exceeds a factor of 30, action should be initiated to reduce it to an acceptable level.

Where necessary, air monitoring should take place at regular intervals as determined by the risk (link 5.39).

Annual testing of central air conditioning and humidifier systems for the presence of bacteria and pathogenic organisms is recommended.

Medical surveillance should be scheduled for employees exposed to air contaminants, as indicated by the risk assessment or legal requirements (link 5.32).

Extraction systems should ventilate to a “safe” area. Ensure fumes do not ventilate into an area where they can negatively influence other people or processes (link 5.02).

Formulate a system to ensure that hygiene facilities (ablution blocks, change rooms, as well as canteens) are inspected and that the results of the inspections are recorded. Ensure that the system clearly stipulates how observed defects must be rectified.

Obtain a copy of the contract with your pest control and deep cleaning contractors and file with the hygiene co-ordinator, who should ensure compliance with the contract conditions.

Where food is processed on the premises, specific measures must be in place to prevent food contamination (hygiene and medical condition of food handlers).

Identify the need for medical surveillance (biological monitoring) based on the risk assessment/exposure of employees (link 5.32).

Assess environmental impacts associated with pest control and deep-cleaning agents (link 2.17).

A dual locker system should be in place where hazardous chemicals are processed or used in the process (link 2.17).

Clean and dirty areas must be provided where necessary, e.g. lead work.

Appoint a person who will be responsible for the coordination of the Environmental Management System (EMS). The need for such a person should be determined based on the environmental impacts and risks associated with the organisation (link 5.11).

Pollution associated with the organisation should be identified through the environmental aspect, impact and risk assessment (link 5.02).

When identifying and assessing extent and types of pollution consider past, present and future activities of the organisation.

Consult legislation to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be required.

Identify opportunities for the prevention or reduction of pollution, taking into consideration all interested and affected parties.

Clarify the approach to pollution management.

Based on the identified environmental risks (pollution risks) set realistic and measurable objectives and targets to prevent/control pollution (link 5.05).

Ensure pollution management and associated objectives and targets are achieved through the SHE plan (link 5.06).

Implement warning systems to alert when non-conformance with legislation, standards and objectives and targets are approached (link 5.39).

Pollution control instrumentation and equipment should be included on the planned maintenance system for plant and equipment (link 2.10).

Appropriate spill containment material and equipment should be provided and maintained (link 2.17 and 3.09).

Ensure that all material safety data sheets include information on environmental impacts (link 2.17).

Inform and train employees on pollution hazards and environmental awareness in general (link 5.21 and 5.30).

Identify areas that require rehabilitation and include the rehabilitation strategy in the overall environmental management plan (link 5.06).

Formulate a demarcation standard for stacking area, areas where stacking is prohibited, work areas and passageways, according to risk assessment results.

Demarcate “No Stacking” areas in front of all fire equipment and electrical switchgear (where practical).

Where it is impossible to demarcate keep clear areas, e.g. in offices and wet areas, no-stacking is maintained in "Keep Clear" areas.

No stacking should be allowed to protrude into walkways or into no-stacking areas.

All waste bin locations are demarcated.

Identify areas that need to be demarcated or signposted in terms of SHE risks, e.g. a respirator zone (asbestos, ammonia) and demarcate accordingly (link 5.02).

Appoint a competent and experienced (responsible) person/s for stacking (link 5.11).

Implement a formal control and inspection system.

Where necessary, regular stacking inspections should be recorded. The frequency of stacking inspections should be determined by the organisation and should be in relation to the risks posed by unsafe stacking.

Checklists should be used to record these inspections and should form part of the formal inspection system of the organisation.

Display maximum stacking heights (where required) and ensure that these are adhered to.

Stacking is allowed only on level floor surfaces, sufficiently strong to carry the mass of the stack.

Any stack found to be hazardous or unstable is broken down immediately and restacked under supervision.

Where applicable, all stacking under sprinkler heads must be at least 650 mm under sprinkler heads.

Breaking down of stacks should always take place from the top.

All stacking of boxes, bags, etc. must be properly bonded and interlocked to ensure stability of the stack.

Stacking on shelves and racks and in cupboards must always be orderly, neat and tidy.

Ensure that all redundant material is properly stored / removed (with appropriate documentation where required) (link 1.24).

Ensure that all storage areas (racks, shelves, cupboards and containers) are tidy.

Yard areas must be included in the SHE representative’s monthly inspections (link 5.40).

Workstations should be kept tidy. Incidents happen more frequently in untidy places. Train employees to keep their workstations tidy (link 5.30).

Ensure the principle of "a place for everything and everything in its place always, and all unnecessary things out" is strictly maintained at all times by responsible managers.

A waste management programme must be formulated in writing i.e. objectives and targets, waste management plan, waste inventory, monitoring of objectives and targets, waste indicators (link 5.02, 5.05, 5.06 and 5.39).

Provide suitable waste containers for the various classes of waste generated.

Compile a formal (i.e. written) waste removal schedule to ensure that no containers overflow.

Demarcate all waste bin locations where practical and ensure locations are appropriately selected (e.g. not on bare/unsurfaced ground).

Ensure that the ground is impermeable and a roof provided if necessary, with bunding where required.

Compile written procedures for on-site waste handling, i.e. permits for on-site waste handling or recycling, medical treatment for waste handlers, spillage procedures during handling (link 5.03. 5.04, 5.06, 5.32 and 3.09).

Ensure compliance with legal requirements, e.g. permits.

Where necessary, waste containers must be labelled according to contents and hazard rating (link 2.17).

Employees must be informed (trained) so as to be familiar with the meaning of the labels (link 5.30).

Hazardous waste must be stored in dedicated storage areas and access must be controlled if necessary (link 3.08).

Integrity of waste bins/skips must be ensured, particularly in the case of hazardous waste (link 3.08).

Ensure that different types of hazardous waste are separated according to their class, e.g. medical waste, old oil, toxic waste, etc.

Record should be kept of any hazardous waste that is kept on the premises for longer than three months.

Ensure that appropriate clean-up or spill containment materials are kept in close vicinity to the storage areas (link 3.09).

Ensure that the contract with the hazardous waste removal company should specify in writing the duties surrounding and the nature and properties of the waste, emergency procedures, loading procedures, etc (link 5.43, 3.09 and 5.50).

Compile written procedures for transportation of waste (where applicable) (link 5.50).

Compile a formal (i.e. written) colour-coding standard. Preferably use the international guidelines as reference.

Ensure that all pipelines, machines and electrical switchgear are coded in terms of the colour-coding standard.

Ensure that colour code boards are conspicuously displayed at/near the entrances to areas where colour coding is practised.

Ensure that all employees are trained in the identification and interpretation of the colour codes during the induction process (link 5.30).

Ensure that portable gas containers are coded according to their contents.

Significant water and energy consumption must be identified and quantified (ideally through a mass balance).

Other key resources must be identified, quantified and associated risks assessed (link 5.02).

Where significant use of resources is identified, objectives and targets must be set to guide the conservation programme.

Where flow meters are installed, regular calibration certificates of these meters should be available (link 5.39).

Appropriate performance indicators must be determined to monitor progress towards objectives and targets (it must be measurable, e.g. "x" litres of water per unit/ton/etc.) (link 5.05).

Ensure that employees are aware of the resource conservation targets and objectives and act accordingly (link 5.21).