SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ACCREDITATION SYSTEM

Transcription

1 SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ACCREDITATION SYSTEM SPECIALIST TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING: OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE Minutes of the STC Occupational Hygiene meeting held at the Brooklyn Office, 121 Muckleneuk Street, Niew Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, Pretoria on Friday, 09 September 2016 at 10:30 Present Ms L Grundlingh Chair, Field Manager - Inspection Ms B Huna Ms E Lourens Mr K Roets Consulting Occupational Hygienist Mr I Niranjan Durban University of Technology Mr PF Tau Focused Risk & Training Services Mr D Jansen van Vuuren Gijima Occupational Hygiene & Environ. Services Mr J Jacobs SAIOH Representative Dr DJ van den Heever VDH Industrial Hygiene Mr H Botha Eskom Ms M Venter Assessor & Safetech Mr D Seleme Assessor & Eskom Mr K Renton NIOH-NHLS Mrs D Kruger Gijima Occupational Hygiene & Environ. Services Mr JDR Beukes HOHL Mr S Myeni Assessor & SeniNhle Mr R Govender Assessor Mr D Dhanraj Assessor Mr F du Toit Assessor Mr E Smit Scribe Apologies: Ms M Ruiters Mr C Badenhorst Anglo American & SAIOH Representative Mr G Hunter Engen & SAIOH Representative Mr G Mizan NIOH-NHLS Mr KC Lekgetho Mr S Engelbrecht Assessor & Impala Platinum Mrs E Mare Assessor Mrs JM Manganyi Assessor & NIOH-NHLS Mrs S Ewald Assessor Mr T Parrett Assessor Mr J Mhlope Absent: Mr PJ Laubscher Ergostress Beroepshigiene & Ergonomiese Dienste cc Mrs R Engelbrecht Assessor Page 1 of 10

2 1. OPENING, WELCOME and LOGISTICS (Health and Safety) The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all present who took time off their busy schedules to contribute to the activities of this STC. The Health and Safety induction for the site was presented and all in attendance were required to sign the attendance register to acknowledge the induction. 2. APOLOGIES Apologies were noted on the attendance register. 3. SIGNING OF ATTENDANCE REGISTER The Chair requested all to sign the attendance register and to take note of the confidentiality clause stated on the register, which implies that the participants are to treat the matters discussed as confidential and not to divulge to anyone outside of the meeting unless required by law. 4. FINALISATION OF AGENDA The agenda was finalised with the following additions: 7.7 Brochure 7.8 Calibration of gas-meters 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING 6. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 April 2016 were signed and accepted with the following corrections: Page 1. Correct spelling of Dr DJ van den Heever. Page 6. Correct the numbering of Item 7.4, was 7.4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING 6.1 (6.1) TR 84 Amendment to Master Schedule of Accreditation is in process of a general review of all inspection documents. Review process to be completed by the 2 nd quarter of September Page 2 of 10

3 The Committee briefly worked through the revised Schedule of Accreditation and confirmed the changes. Actions: 1. TR 84. to update TR 84 APPENDIX 1: Schedule of Accreditation accordingly. 2. TR 84. to add the requirement for a current Legal Knowledge Certificate (LKC) to TR 84 section F 190. STC decision on signatures on every page if hard copy or alternative electronic signature to be added to section of the checklist. 6.2 (6.2) Contracting/Verification The and SAIOH met and drafted a discussion document on the Verification of OH work. The draft document on the Verification of OH work will be circulated to the AIAs for comments with a deadline of ± two (2) weeks for comments. Comments by 13 May 2016 to and SAIOH. 09 September 2016: The document on Verification of OH work was finalised and will be incorporated into the revision of the Regulations and AIA Brochure. 6.3 (6.3) Legal Knowledge Certificates (LKC) and Scope of Accreditation Background Legal Knowledge Certificates (LKCs) must cover the Full Scope of Accreditation; during recent Audits it was found that not all LKCs covered some of the OH Bodies scopes of accreditation. Please see STC OH Minutes of 21 August 2015, item 7.1 The current LKC issued by some Approved Service Providers do not detail the modules covered and contain a statement that a Legal Knowledge Certificate was issued. Certificates issued since 2013 may not detail the modules covered Page 3 of 10

4 AIAs in attendance stated that LKCs issued by Training Institutions do not always detail Lead and Asbestos separately but it may be covered under HCS. AIAs requested the to assist in the matter to ensure that the Institutions provide a LKC that contain the minimum detail to satisfy the requirements. requested examples of LKCs to peruse and discuss with to assist in resolving the matter. In the interim period assessors will not raise findings on questionable LKCs but obtain copies and report the issue to as part of the feedback/f 23 process. and the will peruse the LKCs in question to resolve the issue. The requirement for LKCs is to be incorporated into TR 84 Table 1 and section once the issue of acceptable LKCs has been resolved. 6.4 (6.4) Microbiological Safety Cabinets (Laminar Flow Cabinets) Background. Safetech gave feedback on a recent safety audit conducted by them at a company covering Microbiological Safety Cabinets. The company provided detailed records on the tests done by the service provider which appears to be more comprehensive than what the Regulations require. Currently the Regulations require that an AIA do the work. An option will be for a User to apply to the for an Exemption of Microbiological Safety Cabinets being done by AIAs. The application should be supported by an AIA. to report on what the requirements are in terms of verification of Microbiological Safety Cabinets. Currently there are no accredited calibration laboratories offering calibration. The instruments are serviced by agents/service providers. The reported that the matter is with the Chief Inspector for resolution. HOHL, Mr Beukes, questioned the application of HBA Regulation 12 in this regard and requested clarification. HOHL to send their concerns to the for consideration and a resolution on the application of HBA Regulation 12. Assessors HOHL Page 4 of 10

5 After some discussion the requested AIAs for input on the matter since HBA Regulation 12 is set to be assessed in the round of assessments covering Control Measures. to collate the input from the AIAs and give formal direction to on the assessment approach to be followed covering Control Measures. 28 October November (7.1) Witnessing activities of HCS, HBA and Control Measures. Background. Assessors and particular the Lead Assessor must inform the AIAs of the scope they intend to sample during the assessment. to assist in the process by sending a general to the AIAs on the scope to be assessed during the 3 rd Surveillance assessment. 3 rd Surveillance: HCS (R 1179) Maintenance of Control Measures Regulation 12 and HBA (R 1390) Maintenance of Control Measures, Equipment and Facilities Regulation 12 The AIA Forum offered to assist with drafting the on the difference between Ventilation; Flow Cabinets, HBA and HCS. Assessors AIA Forum The AIA Forum indicated that they are in communication with their members on the item. requested a formal response by the middle of November 2016 to facilitate the assessment planning process AIA Forum AIA Forum 18 November (8.7) Equipment with a Non-accredited Calibration Certificate? Equipment with a Non-accredited Calibration Certificate, can it be used and is it acceptable? responded with references to: 1. The Measurements Act, Act 18 of 2006 and 2. ISO/IEC clause 6.2 The responsibility for the suitability and the calibration status of the equipment used in inspection, whether owned by the AIA or not, lies solely with the AIA. Assessors must please follow-up on the suitability and the calibration status of equipment during the 2016 and assessment cycles. Assessors On-going Page 5 of 10

6 Assessors in attendance reported back in general that during the recent round of 2016 assessments calibration was found to be in order. 7. NEW ITEMS 7.1 ILAC GXX: XX/201X - Guidance on measurements performed as part of an inspection process The Chair informed the meeting of the finalisation of the ILAC Guidance document ILAC GXX: XX/201X - Guidance on measurements performed as part of an inspection process. South Africa contributed to the document, please see section 3.8 Case 7: Kinetic Energy and Door Pressure of Elevator Doors. thanked the Committee members who contributed to the case study. Once finalised the document will be published on the ILAC website Calibration Certificates from Calibration Laboratories under the ILAC MRA? The issue of the acceptability of Calibration Certificates from Calibration Laboratories under the ILAC MRA came up recently in several fields of accredited inspection activities. is in the process of investigation the ILAC protocol followed with the accreditation process. In the interim period Assessors will accept the Calibration Certificates from Calibration Laboratories under the ILAC MRA. 7.3 Static Monitoring versus Personnel Monitoring Noise Regulation R 307, Regulation 7 Noise Monitoring is done by using SANS which focuses on noise measurement for Zoning purposes and not measuring for Personnel monitoring Page 6 of 10

7 Ms Venter offered to provide more back ground information to for the minutes. M Venter ASAP The AIA Forum undertook to look at a possible Guidance document on the matter. took note of the issue and indicated that the issue will be addressed as part of the Regulation review process. AIA Forum 7.5 NIOSH 7903 Obsolete; 7906, 7907 and 7908 to be used. General information. NIOSH method 7903 is considered obsolete and NIOSH methods 7906, 7907 and 7908 should be used instead. 7.6 Regulations 14 & 21 not included in the Approval Certificate? OH AIAs must please review their Approval Certificates to ensure the correct Stressors and Regulations are reflected. OH AIAs must please approach the if their Approval Certificates needs to be corrected. 7.7 Brochure The Brochure is in the process of review to include all AIAs i.e. Lift, PER, MHI, Explosives etc. The Committee briefly discussed the draft Brochure and requested the to keep the OH AIAs and informed of the progress made. 7.8 Calibration of Gas-meters Currently there is a lack of accredited service providers locally for the calibration of Gas-meters. The use of Reference Gas may be used to verify equipment. The AIA should document their control system and keep associated records as evidence Page 7 of 10

8 8. GENERAL 8.1 STC Membership The chair informed the meeting that membership has been finalised and approved. members were reminded to submit an updated CV to every ± 3-years. 8.2 Accreditation Stats. See website for Accredited Organisations. Enquiries Applications Accredited Suspended Withdrew Note: Accreditation stats as on 09 September Feedback from Assessments Silica 2013 Court ruling The reminded the Committee of the 2013 Court ruling that that Brick Works are considered to fall under the OH Regulations. The is in the process of drafting a guidance document to clarify the situation which will be circulated to the Stakeholders Findings received the following findings from an AIA who questioned the validity of the findings. Finding 1. Bump test, no records. The Committee discussed the finding and agreed that the finding is considered valid under normal circumstances. In this case however the instrument in question was not used as a Primary instrument but for indication only. The Finding was therefore considered not valid. Finding 2. HBA Knowledge. The Committee discussed the finding and requested the to prioritise the Guidance on HBA Page 8 of 10

9 After some discussion the Committee requested that finding be discussed anonymously without identifying the persons involved. noted and agreed with the request and undertook to handle the process accordingly in future. 8.4 Technical Queries No feedback at the time of the meeting. 8.4 SAIOH Feedback SAIOH reported on the following % Pass rate of candidates who recently took the SAIOH exams. 2. SAIOH offices are relocating to Fourways area. New address: The Business Centre Broadacres Willow Wood Office Park Cedar Rd & 3rd Street Johannesburg 3. SAIOH Annual Conference October Blyde Canyon, Mpumalanga. 8.5 AIA Forum The AIA Forum reported that they currently don t have feedback on NCRs raised. HBA needs clarification from, see Minutes as well. The AIA Forum enquired if they can use an alternative Accreditation Body? response was yes under normal circumstances, however s response was no. highlighted the requirements for to be the Accreditation Body as Regulation R 758 of 21 August 2015 requires accreditation as a requirement for approval as an Approved Inspection Authority. 8.6 Feedback / Workshops gave feedback on the HBA Seminar with focus on Health Care Sector of September The seminar was well attended and was deemed a success Page 9 of 10

10 The indicated that they are in the process of planning Workshops for and will forward the information at a later stage once arrangements have been finalised. 8.7 OHS Act Review Feedback The draft Bill is currently in the Regulatory Impact Assessment process. to report on the progress at next assessment 9. CLOSESURE The next meeting is planned for Friday, at 10h30. Venue: To be confirmed at a later stage. Date of next STC meetings: 09 September 2016 The meeting adjourned at 14:10 CHAIR-PERSON DATE Page 10 of 10