Specialty Technical Publishers (STP) and Specialty Technical Consultants (STC) Publish Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Audit Protocols for South Africa
Vancouver, B.C., Canada (PRWEB) November 08, 2016 -- Specialty Technical Publishers (STP) and Specialty Technical Consultants (STC) announce the availability of the newly updated International Audit Protocol Consortium (IAPC) EHS audit protocol for South Africa. Leading companies around the world use IAPC EHS audit protocols to understand the scope of their EHS regulatory obligations and rapidly collect, share, archive, and export audit findings in a cost effective manner. IAPC EHS audit protocols are now prepared by STC in partnership with STP and continue to focus on those national (plus, in some cases, regional or provincial) EHS requirements that have site-specific application for manufacturing operations. As a leading EHS management consulting firm with a global network of experienced EHS teaming partners, STC has in-depth knowledge and technical expertise of local/regional EHS requirements.
STP and STC maintain leading-edge EHS audit protocols for more than 30 jurisdictions. The protocol documents are written in English and are available in MS Word, Adobe Acrobat and Excel formats, as well as through STP’s web-based portal or can be integrated into an existing company platform. Using the protocols’ custom templates and advanced functionality features, auditors can easily track audit findings and manage data over time to improve compliance, risk management and safety performance. In addition, STP’s formatting is compatible with leading risk management and sustainability platform providers.
Highlights of selected legislation covered in the newly updated protocol include:
• "Government Notice R. 598 of 2014," known as the "Alien and Invasive Species Regulations, 2014," came into effect and sets out restricted activities in terms of listed invasive species as well as permit requirements when conducting restricted activities. It separates listed invasive species into those which must be 1a) combatted or eradicated; 1b) controlled; 2) for which a permit is required to carry out a restricted activity; and 3) for which certain exemptions and prohibitions are applicable.
• "Government Notices R. 599 of 2014," known as the "Alien and Invasive Species Lists, 2014," also came into effect. This Notice lists the species for which landowners are required to take steps to prevent or minimize harm to biodiversity.
• "Government Notice R. 982 of 2014," referred to as the "Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014," sets out the procedure to be followed when environmental impact assessment is required in order to obtain an environmental authorization. It repeals the previous "Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 (Government Notice R. 543 of 2010)."
• "Government Notices R. 983, R. 984 and R. 985 of 2014," referred to as the "Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Listing Notice 1, Notice 2, and Notice 3," respectively, list the activities which require an environmental authorization.
• "Act 34 of 2008," referred to as the "National Energy Act, 2008," was added to this updated. This Act aims to regulate the provision and supply of energy resources, and although it primarily affects mining and energy provision facilities it also holds the possibility for general industry to have to provide data on its energy use.
• "Government Notice R. 1651 of 1974," referred to as the "Regulations Concerning The Control Of Noxious Or Offensive Gases Emitted By Diesel-Driven Vehicles," was added to this update. This Notice specifies what constitutes the density or content of smoke that may be emitted by diesel vehicles on public roads in the various municipalities.
• "Government Notice No. 351 of 2014," referred to as the "Regulations Regarding the Phasing- Out and Management of Ozone-Depleting Substances," came into effect. This Notice regulates phase-out schedules and reclamation, discharge or release of ODS. It gives national effect to the "Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer." It introduces certain reporting requirements on importers and exporter, and also details the phase-out schedule for HCFCs, HCFC-141b and equipment charged with HCFC 22.
• "Government Notice R. 283 of 2015," referred to as the "National Atmospheric Emission Reporting Regulations, 2015," came into effect. This Notices requires certain facilities (referred to as data providers) to submit emissions reports. The Regulations also provide for confidentiality of the information, and details when NAEIS data and information can be placed in the public domain.
• "Government Notice R. 149 of 2009," known as the "Waste Tyre Regulations, 2009" was added to this update. These Regulations were adopted under the ECA and regulates the storage, reuse, recycling and recovery of waste tyres as well as imposing other requirements on the waste industry.
• "Government Notice R. 634 of 2014," known as the "Waste Classification and Management Regulations, 2013" were adopted under the NEMWA and regulate waste classification as per "SANS 10234" (the South African implementation standard for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) requirements). They prescribe waste management practices and licensing requirements, set out requirements for disposal to landfill, and establishes the duties of waste generators, transporters and managers.
• "Government Notice 926 of 2013," known as the "National Norms and Standards for the Storage of Waste," were added to this update. This Notice applies to any person who continuously store general waste in a waste storage facility with a capacity in excess of 100m3 or hazardous waste in a waste storage facility that has a capacity to store in excess of 80m3.
• "The National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute Act, 2008 (Act No. 53 of 2008)" was added to this update. This regulates the disposal of radioactive waste and establishes the disposal institute to administer these requirements. The Act applies to all radioactive waste in South Africa that is destined to be disposed of in an authorized waste disposal facility. Only provisions applicable to small-scale generators of radioactive wastes are covered in this protocol.
• "Government Notice 201 of 2010" was added to this update. This Notice implements the "Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes." Referred to as the "National Environmental Management Act, 1998: Text for Multilateral Environmental Agreements for Chemical Management," this Notice published the complete text of the Basel Convention in the "Government Gazette," thereby replacing the need for it to be transposed into national legislation to impose legal obligations. This Notice also publishes the "Stockholm Convention on POPs," the "Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade," and the "Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer."
• Relevant requirements of "General Notice 1140 of 2014," referred to as the "Petroleum Pipelines Act: Rules, 2014," were added to this protocol. This General Notice repeals the "Petroleum Pipeline Act Rules, 2009 (General Notice 1072 of November 13, 2009)" and regulates the licensing process for constructing or operating a petroleum pipeline, loading facility or storage facility.
• "Government Notice R. 154 of 1992," also referred to as the "Noise Control Regulations, 1992" were added to this protocol update. These regulations govern environmental noise emission pursuant to the "Environmental Conservation Act, 1989."
• "Government Notice R. 549 of 2014," referred to as the "Regulations To Phase-Out The Use Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Materials And Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs) Contaminated Materials, 2014" came into effect. These regulations were adopted under the "National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998)," and apply to anyone who uses or stores, processes, produces, imports/exports or sells PCB materials or PCB contaminated materials.
• "Government Notice 983 of 1995," known as the "Rules, Forms and Particulars Which Shall be Furnished in Terms of the COIDA," was added to this update. This Notice was last amended by "Notice 385 of May 15, 2015," contains the forms which must be used for reporting under the "Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA)." Companies are required to submit an annual report “Return of Earnings,” as well as reports for any accidents or occupational diseases that occur at the site.
• "Government Notice R 540 of 2015," referred to as the "Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015," came into effect. These Regulations repeal the "Driven Machinery Regulations, 1998" and address the requirements of machinery such as revolving machinery, bench, circular, table and band saws, grinding, sanding and wood working machinery, agitating and mixing equipment, shears, guillotines and presses and hoists and cranes.
• "Government Notice R. 539 of 2015," known as the "Incorporation Of Health And Safety Standard In Terms Of Section 44(1) Of Occupational Health And Safety Act, 1993 Driven Machinery Regulations 18(11)," was added to this update. This Notice regulates the training of lifting machine and equipment operators, as well as the accreditation process for training providers.
• "Government Notice R. 2378 of 1990," known as the "National Building Regulations, 1990," were added to this update. These regulations specify the design, construction and equipment requirements for buildings. Only those requirements that apply to equipment users or building occupants are included in this update.
• "Government Notice 167 of 2015," known as the "Guidance Notes to the Pressure Equipment" came into effect. This Notice is intended to guide users, manufacturers, importers and approved inspection authorities in the application of the "Pressure Equipment Regulations."
• Requirements of the following enforceable standards were added to this update:
• "SANS 10086-1, The installation, inspection and maintenance of equipment used in explosive atmospheres – Part 1: Installations including surface installations on mines"
• "SANS 10229-1, Transport of dangerous goods – Packaging and large packaging for road and rail transport – Part 1: Packaging"
• "SANS 10234:2008, the South African National Standard Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)"
• "SANS 10263-2, The warehousing of dangerous goods – Part 2: The storage and handling of gas cylinders."
For more information on all International EHS audit protocols offered by STP and STC click here.
About Specialty Technical Publishers
Specialty Technical Publishers (STP) produces technical resource guides covering environmental, health & safety, transportation, accounting, business practices, standards and law, offering comprehensive guidance on key compliance and regulatory issues. STP is a division of Glacier Media Inc., a Canadian information communications company that provides primary and essential information in print, electronic and online media. Glacier’s Business and Professional Information Group publishes directories, technical manuals, research and development materials, medical education, electronic databases, investment information and specialty websites.
About Specialty Technical Consultants
Specialty Technical Consultants, Inc. (STC) is a specialized management consulting firm working to enhance environmental health and safety (EHS) performance. Through its consulting services, STC partners with clients to strengthen management systems' design and implementation, and identifies needs and implements solutions to meet business objectives. Services provided include: EHS compliance support; risk assessment; EHS auditing; corporate responsibility and sustainability; EHS management systems development and implementation; EHS regulatory information tools; and EHS training.
STC is certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and the Supplier Clearinghouse for the California Public Utilities Commission, and as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.
Lorraine O'Donovan, Specialty Technical Publishers, http://www.stpub.com, +1 1-800-251-0381, [email protected]
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