Notices > Occupational Exposure Limit for Silica in Table I of the Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations

Notice No. 66

5 February 2010

Department of Labour

Occupational Exposure Control Limit for Airborne Respirable Silica -

0.1mg/m³

On the 27th June 2008, Mr Membathisi Mphumzi Shepherd Mdladlana, Minister of Labour, published a Government Notice No. R. 683, amending the Occupational Exposure Control Limit for Silica in Table I of the Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations from 0,4mg/m³ to 0,1mg/m³.

All industries handling, manufacturing and producing products that may cause exposure to silica dust are required to submit bi-annual reports indicating the following:

•	Number of samples taken and analyzed

•	Composition of dust

•	Concentration of the constituents; and

•	Whether companies are complying with the current Occupational Exposure Limit for silica, if not, what steps are implemented to comply with the exposure limit?

The Department of Labour is hereby publishing the silica dust data collection guiding document and the silica exposure compliance tool to be used by industries in reporting the required information.

Silica Dust Data Collection Guiding Document

(1)

Purpose

The Department of Labour has reduced the occupational exposure limit of silica crystalline respirable dust from 0.4mg/m³ to 0.1mg/m³. There is presently no system in place for the industry to report to the Department of Labour whether industries comply with the new occupational exposure limit.

The purpose of collecting silica exposure compliance information will enable the DOL to collect the following information:

(a)	National Profile of all the industries that have the potential to expose the employees to respirable silica dust.

(b)	To determine the level of exposure to respirable silica dust.

(c)	Number of employees exposed.

(d)	The AlA performing the monitoring and evaluation

(2)	Reporting Mechanism

The data must be sent directly to Head Office via e-mail to:

[email protected].

(3)

Sampling

Sampling must be done according to the national and international recognized standards.

(4)	Frequency or Reporting

Data must be sent on the 31 July and 31 January of every year.

(5)	Confidentiality

All information received will be confidential and it will not be shared with any other person or entity, except with the written consent from the company concerned.

SILICA EXPOSURE COMPLIANCE TOOL

Company
Company registered name
Company registration number
Company VAT number
"Trading as" name
Name of CEO
National Identity number of CEO
Name of Managing Director
National Identity number of Managing Director
Company postal address



Company physical address



Hygienist
Name of responsible occupational hygienist
National Identity number of responsible occupational hygienist
Qualifications of responsible Occupational hygienist
Level of registration with SAIOH
SAIOH registration number of responsible Occupational Hygienist
Does the company make use of an AlA? If the answer is yes then complete the following:
Name of company
AIA registration number
Date of registration as an IAI
Company postal address


Company physical address




Silica exposure monitoring
Does the company handle, manufacture or produce any silica or silica containing substances? If yes, describe
What are the main activities related to the handling or manufacturing of materials (tasks)
Describe the area in the production process where the samples were taken
Sampling methods used?
Has a silica exposure baseline assessment been conducted?
How many samples were taken in the process of the baseline assessment?
Does the company have a formal silica exposure management program?	(If the answer is yes, please attach a copy)
Is silica exposure monitoring conducted on an annual basis as prescribed by HCS Regulations?
Total number of employees exposed to silica dust.
What is the maximum exposure level?
Number of employees exposed to levels <10% of OEL
Number of employees exposed to levels <50% of OEL
Number of employees exposed to levels >100% of OEL
Has a copy of the most recent silica exposure assessment report signed by the accredited occupational hygienist been attached?
Does the company have in its possession MSDS for all silica containing substances?
Does the company comply with the new OEL of 0,1 mg/ms?

Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)

Notices

Occupational Exposure Limit for Silica in Table I of the Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations

Notice No. 66 of 2010