Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)RegulationsAsbestos Regulations, 200111. Control of exposure to asbestos |
| (1) | An employer or self-employer person shall ensure that the exposure of a person lo asbestos is either prevented, or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled: Provided that the control of the exposure shall be regarded as adequate if the Ievel of exposure is— |
| (a) | at OF below the OEL for asbestos; or |
| (b) | above the OEL far asbestos but the reason has been identified and action is taken, as soon as is reasonably practicable to lower exposure by means other than respiratory protective equipment, so that it does not exceed the 0% for asbestos. |
| (2) | Where reasonably practicable, an employer or self-employed person shall control the exposure of a person— |
| (a) | by using a substitute for asbestos; |
| (b) | by limiting the number of persons who will be exposed or may be exposed; |
| (c) | by limiting the period during which persons will be exposed or may be exposed; |
| (d) | by limiting the amount of asbestos dust that may contaminate the working environment; |
| (e) | by introducing, inter alia, the following engineering control measures for the control of exposure : |
| (i) | Process separation, automation or enclosure; |
| (ii) | bonding of asbestos fibres with other material to prevent the release of asbestos dust; |
| (iii) | instillation of local extraction ventilation systems to premises, equipment or tools for the control of emissions of asbestos dust; |
| (iv) | a fault use of wet methods where appropriate; |
| (v) | separate workplaces for carrying out different processes; and |
| (vi) | a fault indicator to enable early corrective action to be taken; and |
| (f) | by introducing appropriate written work procedures that an employee must follow to ensure that – |
| (i) | asbestos is safely handled, used and disposed of; |
| (ii) | process machinery, installations, equipment, tools and local extraction and general ventilation systems are safely used and maintained; and |
| (iii) | early corrective action regarding the control exposure. |