Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)RegulationsHazardous Chemical Substances Regulations, 1995Annexure 1Legal Background to Exposure Limits |
| 5) | Two types of occupational exposure limits are defined in regulation 1 of the HCS Regulations. The two types are occupational exposure limit - control limit (OEL-CL), and occupational exposure limit - recommended limit (OEL-RL), as listed in Tables 1 and 2 of Annexure 1 (Table 1) (Table 2). The key difference between the two types of limits is that one OEL-RL is set at a level at which there is no indication of a risk to health; for an OEL-CL, a residual risk may exist and the level set, takes socio-economic factors into account. Further details are given in paragraphs 8 to 16. |
| 6) | Regulation 10 of the HCS Regulations lays down the requirements for the use of an OEL-CL and an OEL-RL for HCS for the purpose of achieving adequate control. Regulation 10(1) requires that, where there is exposure to a substance for which an OEL-CL is specified in Table 1 of Annexure 1, the control of exposure shall, so far as inhalation of that substance is concerned, be treated as adequate only if the level of exposure is reduced so far as is reasonably practicable and in any case below the OEL-CL.. |
| 7) | Regulation 10(1) of the HCS Regulations requires that, where there is exposure to a substance for which an OEL-RL has been approved, the control of exposure shall, so far as inhalation of that substance is concerned, be treated as adequate if- |
| a) | that OEL-RL is not exceeded; or |
| b) | where that OEL-RL is exceeded, the employer identifies the reasons for the exceeding of the standard and takes appropriate action to remedy the situation as soon as is reasonably practicable. |