Parts: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII - IX - X - XI - XII - XIII - XIV - XV - XVI - XVII - XVIII - XIX - XX - XXI - XXII - XXIII - XXIV - XXV - XXVI - (XXVII)  

PART XXI PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, CLOTHING AND DEVICES
The mine manager shall ensure that :-

Scheme to identify hazards

21.1 (1) - a scheme is formulated for the identification of any harmful physical and chemical agents or other hazards present in the working environment.

(2) - any area identified as hazardous is properly sign posted by which means persons employed or otherwise present in or at a mine are warned of the possible hazards.


Notifiable occupational diseases


21.2 The Minister may declare a disease as a notifiable occupational disease as itemized in Regulation 23 of the Labour Act, 1992 : Regulations relating to the health and safety of employees at work. 


Protective equipment

21.3 (1) - persons employed or otherwise present in or at a mine are provided with- 

(a) suitable protective equipment, clothing and face shields or goggles when engaged in welding or grinding or cutting or working with molten metal or when other hazards to the eyes exist;

(b) suitable protective clothing to cover the whole body when handling corrosive or toxic substances or other materials which may cause injury to skin;

(c) protective gloves when handling materials or performing work which may cause injury to hands;

(d) safety helmets where falling objects may create a hazard;

(e) suitable protective foot wear for either dry or wet application;

(f) safety harness and/or belts where there is danger of falling from a height;

(g) life jackets or lifelines where there is danger of falling into water;

(h) closely fitting clothing when working around moving machinery;

(i) waterproof work garments when working under wet conditions;

(j) fluorescent strips for safety helmets and highly visible clothing, where necessary; and

(k) special protective equipment, clothing or devices when, in the opinion of the mine manager, they require such equipment, clothing or devices.

(2) Any person employed or otherwise present in or at a mine shall not use any protective equipment, clothing or devices other than such equipment, clothing or devices as are approved by the mine manager.


Noise

21.4 (1) - no person employed in or at a mine while at work shall be exposed to a daily noise dose or peak noise level in excess of the standard specified under Regulation 197 of the Labour Act, 1992 (Act 6 of 1992) : Regulations relating to the health and safety of employees at work .

(2) Where at any place in a mine it is not practicable to comply with the standards specified under sub-regulation (1), the mine manager shall ensure that persons at such place are provided with hearing protection equipment and such equipment is constantly used.

Dust

21.5 Where at any place in a mine it is not practicable to comply with the standards specified under regulation 9.1(2)(a), the mine manager shall supply to and cause to be constantly used such appliances as will prevent the dust from being breathed by persons.


Protection against ionizing radiation

21.6 (1) The mine manager shall establish a code of practice to ensure that exposures of radiation will not give rise to unacceptable levels of risk and that sources of such exposures are identified, quantified, controlled and minimized. 

(2) The code of practice will be based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Vibration

21.7 The mine manager shall, as far as is practicable, take such measures as may be necessary to minimize the adverse effects of vibration on the health of persons employed in or at a mine.



The mine manager shall ensure that : -

Hot and molten material

21.8 (a) - where molten material is handled care is taken to minimize the possibility of spillage or explosion which could create a hazard to the safety of persons;

(b) - adequate precautions is taken at all ash pits, ash heaps and other places where there are hot or molten material to ensure that no person is endangered by such material;

(c) - notices are posted at conspicuous places warning persons of the danger.

Replacement of protective equipment, clothing or devices

21.9 - any protective equipment, clothing or device provided under these regulations is replaced free of charge whenever it is rendered unserviceable by normal operating usage.



Keeping of antidotes, washes and devices

21.10 - at any place in a mine where poisonous, toxic or hazardous substances are used or produced -

(a) there is kept available for use in a conspicuous place, a sufficient supply of satisfactory antidotes, washes and showers as near such substances as is practicable;

(b) such antidotes and washes are properly labelled with instructions for their use;

(c) persons at such places are informed of the possible hazards that may arise there and the precautions to be taken to guard against the same.


Access to poisons

21.11 -access to any poisonous, toxic or hazardous substance be restricted to duly authorized persons employed or otherwise present in or at a mine, and such substances be kept under lock and key.


Insufficient or inadequate protective equipment, clothing or devices

21.12 If in the opinion of the Chief Inspector any protective equipment, clothing or device provided by the mine manager is insufficient or inadequate, he or she may require that additional or more suitable equipment, clothing or device be provided.


Sanitation

21.13 (1) The mine manager shall : -

(a) - on the surface and in the underground workings of the mine, ensure that sufficient and suitable latrine facilities of a high hygienic standard are provided and maintained for both sexes;

(b) - ensure that such latrines are adequately ventilated, illuminated and disinfected and kept in a clean condition.

(2) No person shall pollute the workings with faeces or urine.


The mine manager shall ensure that : -

Eating places

21.14 (a) - suitable places be provided in a dry and well ventilated area which is maintained free from dust, vermin and any hazardous substance where persons employed in or at a mine may eat their meals;

(b) - water for washing be made available within a reasonable distance of such eating places;

(c) - an impervious receptacle with a lid be provided at the eating place and all waste food, paper and other rubbish shall be deposited in that receptacle which shall be emptied and cleaned at regular intervals, and be consistent with the accepted standards of hygiene.


Drinking water

21.15 (a) - sufficient supplies of safe drinking water are provided in or at a mine, at points reasonably accessible from workplaces.

(b) - all taps or pipes containing water which is not fit for human consumption are clearly marked.


Change houses

21.16 The mine manager shall provide suitably designed changed houses commensurate with the number and gender of employees at any mine under his or her supervision and control where underground workings are undertaken and, if considered necessary by the Chief Inspector, at other workings for persons employed in or at such mine to wash themselves and change their clothes before leaving the mine.


Intoxicating drugs and drinks

21.17 (1) No person shall or be permitted to bring any intoxicating drink or drug onto the property or into the workings of a mine.

(2) No person employed or otherwise present in or at a mine while at work shall consume any intoxicating drink or drug or be in a state of intoxication or drunkenness.