Document x107oDvYe9a8XX15X1RbV0xpy

National Programme for the Elimination of Silicosis South Africa Perspective Lesley Motshelanoka Manager: OHS Chairperson: NPES Points for discuss WHERE WE STARTED OBJECTIVES OF THE NWG WHAT THE NWG DID TO DEVELOP THE NPES PROBLEMS THAT THE NWG FACED ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NWG FUTURE PLANS OF THE NWG WHERE WE STARTED The ACOHS identified Silicosis as a huge burden on the compensation fund DOL as a lead agent in OHS tasked to develop NPES Guided by the GPES driven by ILO The National Working Group was established in 2003 WHERE WE STARTED Cont. NWG is made up of representatives from: DOL (as chair), Department of Health, Minerals and Energy, Environmental Affairs, Compensation Commissioner, Organized business, Organized labour, Occupational Hygienists, Occupational Medicine Practitioners WHERE WE STARTED Cont. The NWG was mandated to draft and implement the NPES The 10 points used was obtained from Information Note provided by the ILO such as: 1. Magnitude of the problem 2. Socio-economic context 3. Identification of target groups 4. Definition of the preventative strategy 5. Institutional framework 6. Programme implementation 7. Monitoring and evaluation 8. National standards 9. Relationship with protection of environment OBJECTIVES OF THE NWG Ensure that there was adequate consultation with: Social partners and Interested and affected parties Establish Provincial Working Groups (PWGs) One PWG per province Chaired by DOL official 1 Functional of the PWG Help the NWG implement the NPES Evaluate the success of the NPES in its province Report to the NWG on the progress made quarterly Communicate any new development to the NWG Updating the NPES Liaise with the NWG on any matter necessary. WHAT THE NWG DID WHILE DEVELOPING THE NPES Developed a work-plan that guided the activities of the NWG until the end of June 2004. Developed other material such as brochures and posters Trained 20 inspectors on silica exposure and silicosis Organized the launch 28th June 2004 the Minister of Labour, launched the NPES PROBLEMS THAT THE NWG FACED PWG ceased to be functional NWG did not know the Magnitude of the problem, the extend to which silicosis is a problem in South Africa After resuscitation of PWGs, the NWG hoped they will conduct the baseline study and compile its own Provincial Profile (PP) NWG could not develop a Country Profile (CP PROBLEMS THAT THE NWG FACED Cont. Mining industry is running its own PES Some of the deliverable exported to NWG D-dates for the delivery are very far Delays delivery by NWG NWG and PWG function on volunteers Expect to be reimbursed for S&T Difficult for members to devote more time --in the activities of NWG and PWG ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NWG A national workshop on the elimination of Silicosis was organized and held on the 22 July 2005 New document entitled "Silica Exposure and its Effect on the Physiology of Workers" was released as part of the NPES. Many other documents ranging from: - Prevention of Silicosis, - Measuring Dust Containing Free-quartz and -- Role of Approved Inspection Authorities (AlAs) in the ------ Prevention of Silicosis --have been produced by the NWG FUTURE PLANS OF THE NWG Organize training for 20 inspectors based on the usage of dust monitoring instruments Train all IES inspectors in provincial offices of DOL. Working closely with the TC 07 in lowering the OEL for Silica from 0.4 mg/m3 to 0.1 mg/m3 2 FUTURE PLANS OF THE NWG Cont. Develop a Country Profile reflecting the state of the nation as far as exposure to silica is concerned. Make sure that by the end of this financial year i.e. March 2006 there is a CP available. Organizing the next National Workshop on the Elimination of Silicosis which will be held on July 2006 and the emphasis will be on: - dust prevention, ^--- measurement and ------- control 3