Workplace, Environment, Health & Hygiene Workplace, Environment, Health & Hygiene Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:07:32 +0000 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:07:32 +0000 Safe Build Forum http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?forums/workplace-environment-health-hygiene.46/ Safety Share: Heat Stress Management Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:25:34 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/safety-share-heat-stress-management.1677/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/safety-share-heat-stress-management.1677/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Safety Share: Heat Stress Management

Location: All Civil & Construction Sites, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
Topic: Preventing Heat-Related Illness in Hot and Humid Conditions
Target Audience: All site personnel (management, supervisors, general workers, contractors)

1. Why This is Critical for KZN

KwaZulu-Natal has a subtropical climate characterized by high temperatures and intense humidity, especially during summer. This combination significantly...

Safety Share: Heat Stress Management]]> Fresh air and sunlight for the office Mon, 29 Apr 2019 08:43:50 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/fresh-air-and-sunlight-for-the-office.1355/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/fresh-air-and-sunlight-for-the-office.1355/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Environmental factors such as air quality and lighting are often overlooked when employers address the ergonomics in an office. MARISKA MORRIS investigates their importance

When ergonomics is mentioned, employers often think about whether the office chairs are comfortable, or whether a computer screen is within an employee’s line of vision. However, ergonomics includes a lot more than just these basic elements. The physical environment in which an employee works can have a huge...

Fresh air and sunlight for the office]]> Managing Construction Health Risks - Part 1 Tue, 11 Dec 2018 06:41:03 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/managing-construction-health-risks-part-1.1330/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/managing-construction-health-risks-part-1.1330/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Managing health risks is no different to managing safety risks. This page outlines the essential principles that you need to know.

Assess

You cannot properly...

Managing Construction Health Risks - Part 1]]> ISO 14001:2015 – are you ready for it? Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:32:57 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/iso-14001-2015-%E2%80%93-are-you-ready-for-it.1128/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/iso-14001-2015-%E2%80%93-are-you-ready-for-it.1128/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin “With over 300 000 certificates already...

ISO 14001:2015 – are you ready for it?]]> What is the fuss about Asbestos? Tue, 14 Oct 2014 07:08:49 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/what-is-the-fuss-about-asbestos.1005/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/what-is-the-fuss-about-asbestos.1005/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin
Asbestos is now strictly regulated as exposure to this toxic material has been proven to...

What is the fuss about Asbestos?]]> Why a Health Risk Assessment Fri, 10 May 2013 13:50:35 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/why-a-health-risk-assessment.676/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/why-a-health-risk-assessment.676/ invalid@example.com (Andrea Marshall) Andrea Marshall
“ 8(1) Every employer shall provide and maintain, as far as reasonably practical, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of his employees.â€

The section goes into further detail establishing the duties of the employer pertaining to section 8(1)

“8(2)(d)...

Why a Health Risk Assessment]]> 1 Occupational Health (In construction) Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:58:55 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/occupational-health-in-construction.746/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/occupational-health-in-construction.746/ invalid@example.com (shanelishman@hotmail.com) shanelishman@hotmail.com
Occupational Health (In construction)]]> 1 How can I measure occupational heat exposure? Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:47:58 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/how-can-i-measure-occupational-heat-exposure.713/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/how-can-i-measure-occupational-heat-exposure.713/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin
How can I measure occupational heat exposure? See attached word document on this subject....

How can I measure occupational heat exposure?]]> National Environmental Management Waste Act duties Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:57:14 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/national-environmental-management-waste-act-duties.704/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/national-environmental-management-waste-act-duties.704/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin
The Act defines waste as: “any substance, whether or not that substance can be reduced, re-used, recycled and recovered;

(a) that is surplus, unwanted, rejected, discarded, abandoned or disposed of;
(b) which the generator has no further use of for the purposes of production;
(c) that must be treated or disposed of; or
(d) that is identified...

National Environmental Management Waste Act duties]]> The power is in your hands Wed, 12 Dec 2012 07:26:56 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/the-power-is-in-your-hands.691/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/the-power-is-in-your-hands.691/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin
The power is in your hands]]> Are you practising safe stress? Thu, 30 Aug 2012 08:18:17 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/are-you-practising-safe-stress.644/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/are-you-practising-safe-stress.644/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin
This is a nightmarish situation many organisations find themselves in. Imagine having to try and meet your 2012 targets with 58...

Are you practising safe stress?]]> Overview of Integrated Environmental Management Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:10:29 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/overview-of-integrated-environmental-management.563/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/overview-of-integrated-environmental-management.563/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Overview of Integrated Environmental Management

PHILOSPHY OF IEM

• Holistic.
• Decision-making process.
• Multidisciplinary analyses and interdisciplinary synthesis

WHAT IS IEM

A framework for harmony between development and environment

CHARACTERISTICS OF IEM

• Environmental factors are taken into consideration.
• Play a positive role in guiding the development process.
• Directs considerable attention to:
• Long-term...

Overview of Integrated Environmental Management]]> Dust and Air Pollution Plan Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:06:49 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/dust-and-air-pollution-plan.562/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/dust-and-air-pollution-plan.562/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Dust and Air Pollution Plan

IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION

Silicosis:
• Irreversible diseases.

Chronic silicosis:
• Long-term exposure to crystalline silica.

Acute silicosis:
• Exposure to very high dust levels.

IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION

• Pneumoconiosis is the common name for a number of dust-related lung diseases.
• Silicosis, a form of pneumoconiosis, is a condition of the lungs caused by the inhalation of silica dust and marked by nodular...

Dust and Air Pollution Plan]]> Soil and minerals on a Construction site Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:54:57 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/soil-and-minerals-on-a-construction-site.561/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/soil-and-minerals-on-a-construction-site.561/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin SOIL AND MINERALS

DEGRADATION OF SOIL

• Population growth
• Overstocking
• Overgrazing
• Open mining
• Pollution on land
• Intensive Farming
• Deforestation

IMPACTS ON SOIL

• Land disturbances.
• Scarring of land.
• Disruption of the land surface.
• Spoil heaps and tailings.
• Sink holes.
• Dust.
• Toxic substances.
• Acid mine drainage.
• Water pollution

Soil Management

• Soil...

Soil and minerals on a Construction site]]> Construction Environmental Management Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:21:26 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/construction-environmental-management.560/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/construction-environmental-management.560/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Construction environmental management

In recent years, construction contractors have discovered the importance of having a Construction Environmental Management Plan in order to begin work. The main reason why this has taken place is because society on a global level has become more conscious about the impact of human activities on the natural environment.

As a result, governments in most countries have reacted through enacting environmental legislation that obliges contractors...

Construction Environmental Management]]> Respirable Crystalline Silica Monitoring in Construction Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:48:31 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/respirable-crystalline-silica-monitoring-in-construction.544/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/respirable-crystalline-silica-monitoring-in-construction.544/ invalid@example.com (Andrea Marshall) Andrea Marshall
These inspectors are increaseing their knowledge base on hazardoucs materials (hazardous chemical substabces) and are going to make a real difference in industry when they perform their blitz inspections.

What surprised and schocked me was the feedback that i received from them regarding inspections in the construction industry....

Respirable Crystalline Silica Monitoring in Construction]]> Heat stress in the workplace. What you need to know as an employer Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:54:57 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/heat-stress-in-the-workplace-what-you-need-to-know-as-an-employer.533/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/heat-stress-in-the-workplace-what-you-need-to-know-as-an-employer.533/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin t may not be obvious to a person passing through the workplace that there is a risk of heat stress.

You and your employees must be aware of how to work safely in heat, the factors that can lead to heat stress, and how to reduce the risk of it occurring....

Heat stress in the workplace. What you need to know as an employer]]> Heat stress risk assessment Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:42:57 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/heat-stress-risk-assessment.532/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/heat-stress-risk-assessment.532/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Heat stress risk assessment

When undertaking a heat stress risk assessment it is recommended that you take a staged approach. A diagram of what happens at each stage of a heat stress risk assessment is provided on these web pages. This diagram is a means of helping to understand the activities that need to be undertaken at each stage.

Step 1: Identify hazards

1. Look - Visually inspect the workplace to identify heat stress hazards (e.g. looking for a heat source, are...

Heat stress risk assessment]]> Workplace, Environment, Health and Hygiene Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:09:47 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/workplace-environment-health-and-hygiene.508/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/workplace-environment-health-and-hygiene.508/ invalid@example.com (Neil Enslin) Neil Enslin Workplace, Environment, Health and Hygiene

Just because it is a construction site it does not mean that workplace facilities cannot be clean and hygienic. In fact it is a legal requirement to provide a workplace that has sufficient toilets, showers, change rooms and eating areas that are clean and hygienic. The work environment must also have adequate lighting and ventilation and workers must be protected from excessive noise and heat.

Lighting

Adequate lighting must...

Workplace, Environment, Health and Hygiene]]> Environmental legislation Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:08:48 +0000 http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/environmental-legislation.489/ http://forum.safebuild.co.za/index.php?threads/environmental-legislation.489/ invalid@example.com (Jaco Fourié) Jaco Fourié
I need to do an Environmental Management Plan and since we are owner builders there is no safety spec to work from.

After a quick google search I came across:

1) The Environmental Act
2) The Environmental Conservation Act
3) The National Environmental Management Act
4) The Environmental Laws Rationalisation Act, Act 51 of 1997
etc. etc. etc.

Please, can anyone help me out here. What legislation will be applicable to us. We start in 2 weeks with earthworks...

Environmental legislation]]> 2