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

Regulations

Asbestos Abatement Regulations, 2020

7. Information, instruction and training

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(1)An employer must—
(a)provide, to persons who may have incidental asbestos exposure, information, instruction and training—
(i)through induction training upon employment; and
(ii)when the inventory of asbestos in place is reviewed;
(b)ensure that the information, instruction and training contemplated in sub-regulation  (a) include, at least—
(i)the sources of potential exposure as identified in the inventory of asbestos in place contemplated in regulation 4;
(ii)the potential health risks associated with exposure to asbestos;
(iii)procedures, including exposure controls and personal decontamination to be followed when asbestos-containing materials have been damaged, or in the event of accidental spillage or any other similar emergency situation likely to result in the release of asbestos dust;
(iv)the safe disposal of asbestos waste;
(v)procedures for record keeping; and
(vi)the inventory of asbestos in place as contemplated in regulation 4.

 

(2)Where an employee undertakes non-asbestos-related work, where there is a potential for exposure to asbestos dust, the employer must ensure that the employee is adequately and comprehensively informed, instructed and trained in both practical and theoretical knowledge with regard to—
(a)the  sources  of  potential exposure  identified  in the  inventory  of asbestos in place as contemplated in regulation 4;
(b)the potential health risks associated with exposure to asbestos ;
(c)task and incident-related potential exposure scenarios, as well as precautionary measures to be taken to prevent exposure; and
(d)procedures to be followed in the event of accidental disturbance or any other similar emergency situation likely to result in the release of asbestos dust.

 

(3)In the case of removal of asbestos or repair of asbestos-containing materials, as contemplated in regulation 12, the employer must ensure that all supervisors and employees are adequately and comprehensively  informed, instructed and trained in both practical and theoretical knowledge with regard to—
(a)the OEL and its meaning;
(b)the importance of good housekeeping at the workplace, fall protection, the correct use of personal protective equipment and personal hygiene;
(c)the contents of plans of work regarding the handling, removal and temporary storage of any asbestos-containing material;
(d)the correct use of control measures to limit the spread of asbestos dust outside the regulated asbestos area;
(e)the control measures to limit the exposure of employees  inside the regulated asbestos area;
(f)procedures to be followed in the event of accidental spillage, disturbance or any other similar emergency situation likely to result in the release of asbestos dust;
(g)procedures for reporting and correcting failures of control measures likely to result in the release of asbestos dust; and
(h)the safe disposal of asbestos waste.

 

(4)Training contemplated in sub-regulation (3) must—
(a)be provided by a competent person;

[Regulation 7(4)(a) substituted by Notice No. R.2092, GG46380, dated 20 May 2022]

(b)have a minimum contact duration of eight hours; and
(c)as an outcome, provide employees with asbestos training certificates .

 

(5)Refresher training with a minimum contact duration of two hours must be provided at least annually or at more frequent intervals if—
(a)work methods change;
(b)the type of work carried out changes significantly;
(c)the type of equipment used to control exposure changes; or
(d)deemed a requirement by the occupational health and safety committee.

 

(6)An employer must ensure that up-to-date records of employee training are made available at the workplace that has asbestos in place.

 

(7)An employer must ensure that current employee asbestos training certificates, as contemplated in sub-regulation (4)(c), are provided to employees upon termination of employment.