| Description | Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 | ||
| Government Gazette | GG 40612, GN 117 | ||
| Type | Notice | ||
| Date published | 10 February 2017 | ||
| Effective date | 10 February 2017 | ||
| OHS Act Sites | X | ||
| MHS Sites | X | ||
The Compensation Commissioner has amended the COID Act requirements in terms of the submission of return of earnings details under Section 82 of the Act.
It will no longer be posted to registered employers but is downloadable from www.labour.gov.za.
The notice further encourages employers to file returns online.
| Description | National Railway Safety Regulator Act | ||
| Government Gazette | GG 40637, GN 166 | ||
| Type | Notice for comment | ||
| Date published | 24 February 2017 | ||
| Effective date | 24 March 2017 | ||
| OHS Act Sites | X | ||
| MHS Sites | X | ||
A proposed new license fee structure has been published for comment in respect of Safety Permits issued by the Regulator.
Comment on the proposed fees are to be submitted before 24 March 2017.
| Description | Department of Mineral Resources Notice regarding blasting tickets | ||
| Government Gazette | Not applicable | ||
| Type | Notice for information | ||
| Date published | 23/02/2017 | ||
| Effective date | Not applicable | ||
| OHS Act Sites | |||
| MHS Sites | X | ||
The acting Chief Inspector of Mines has given instruction to Principal Inspectors to notify all mines in their regions regarding the administration of blasting certificate examinations.
In terms of background, a decision was made in 2013 for the administration of blasting certificate examination to be moved from the MQA to the DMR.
This is set to take effect on 1 June 2017.
| Description | Occupational Health and Safety Act, Driven Machinery Regulations, Code of Practice for Zip Lines | ||
| Government Gazette | GG 40622, GNR 136 | ||
| Type | Published for comment | ||
| Date published | 17 February 2017 | ||
| Effective date | Comment by 17 May 2017 | ||
| OHS Act Sites | X | ||
| MHS Sites | |||
The Chief Inspector has published a draft Code of Practice under the Occupational Health and Safety Act Driven Machinery Regulations for comment.
The Code of Practice specifically deals with the installation and operation of commercial zip lines used in the tourism and travel industry.
A zip line is defined as a cable fixed between two points that people traverse along by means of a pulley connected to a harness suspended below a cable.
The proposed COP deals with, amongst other issues:
- Requirement for Zip Line designs to be drafted by Registered Professional Engineers,
- States requirements for the submission of design calculations and drawings for approval,
- Incorporates SANS codes for welding on steel structures, use of clamps and wire ropes,
- Requirements for use of trees as anchors,
- Requirements for the use of harnesses and safety harnesses,
- Requirements for competence of “adventure guides”, including first aid,
- Performance testing requirements (to 120% of maximum working load,
- Obligation to keep a register containing the names of responsible persons, testing details, details of daily inspections, details of stoppages etc.In general, the COP is an anomaly insofar as it deals with a very limited application, where most of the obligations it contains would in any case be regulated under other Regulations or under the general obligations posed by Sections 8(1) and 8(2) of the OHSA.Comments on the draft COP are to be submitted before 17 May 2017.
| Description | Occupational Health and Safety Act, Driven Machinery Regulations, Lifts, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, Code of Practice for existing goods hoists installations. | ||
| Government Gazette | GG 40594, GN 94 | ||
| Type | Notice | ||
| Date published | 3 February 2017 | ||
| Effective date | 3 February 2017 | ||
| OHS Act Sites | X | ||
| MHS Sites | |||
Goods hoists were historically regulated under the Driven Machinery Regulations, 2008. The Chief Inspector has published a Code of Practice under the Lifts, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations (“LEPCR”).
The new Driven Machinery Regulations published in 2015 scrapped Regulation 17 which dealt with goods hoists. The requirement was that all existing goods hoists will comply with the LEPCR in 5 years’ time.
The COP sets the minimum requirements for goods hoists in the interim period.
FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, COMMENTS OR QUERIES, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE WRITER.
Regards,
Jaco Swartz
Managing Director
Legislative Compliance Specialists (Pty.) Ltd.
011 679 3556