National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health

Relationships between transboundary provincial and municipalities also need to be strengthened in orderto easily address transboundary waste management issues, Memorandum of understanding may besigned where deemed necessary.In municipalities, environmental health department should build strong relations with other wastemanagement department/utility or contracted company, which renders waste management services, suchas collection, transport and disposal for the particular municipality.Waste management forums need to be established between relevant government departments andmunicipalities and local waste recycling companies, nongovernmental organizations interested in waste,management, schools, businesses and the community. Environmental health institutions and practitionersneed to actively participate in those forums.SECTION 15: CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAINING1. There is a need for various training aspects in the field of waste management, which should focus onvarious role players in the waste management sector, including in the field of waste handling. Roleplayers in with waste management should ensure that they are kept abreast with new technologies,new concepts, new innovations and new ideas in the fields of waste by attending conferences,seminars and workshops, to enable management of waste in line with current and developing trends.2. Waste management field workers (from street cleansing to disposal of general and hazardous waste)should be provided with training and information on the risks involved in the handling of waste and theimportance of personal hygiene and wearing appropriate protective clothing at all times whileengaged in waste handling.3. EHPs, infection control nurses, quality assurance officers, relevant management of relevantworkplaces, health and safety officers and health and safety representatives should also be trainedas trainers in relevant aspects of waste management related to their duties. Training must beconducted by accredited institutions and trainers.4. In-service and refresher training need to be conducted periodically and records thereof should beupdated and kept for a period of at least 5 years.5. It is recommended that major waste generators, including generators of health care risk waste andhazardous waste generators appoint a waste management officer, to monitor and ensure soundmanagement of waste in the facility.6. Human resource capacity of all people, which can play a major role in good waste management,should be addressed by the public sector, private sector, and non-governmental organizationsSECTION 16: MONITORING, EVALUATION AND DATA REPORTINGThe monitoring and evaluation of waste management activities by Environmental Health Practitioners andother role players is essential for effective waste management. All data collected need to be analyzed,interpreted and reported, where required. The quality of monitoring, evaluations conducted as well asdata reported need to be analyzed, and strengthened where necessary.SECTION 17: COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT1. EHPs must investigate any non conformances in relation to waste management and take appropriateaction.2. The following aspects of waste management shall be reported within 24 hours of identification to therelevant authorities as outlined in the table below for further action:Table:Waste management aspect• Unpermitted and unlicensed facilities.• Waste management activities operating withoutthe necessary environmental authorization, forbasic assessment or EIA• Unsafe handling of radioactive waste and illegaldumping thereofRelevant authorityDepartment of Environmental AffairsDepartment of Health: Radiation ControlDOH. Norms and standards for environmental health in South Africa Feb 2013 133