National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health

Chapter 5HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND CHEMICALS MANAGEMENTDEFINITION OF APPLICABLE TERMSThe following definitions apply on this set of norms and standards.HazardHazardous substancesChemicalsChemical safetyToxicMeans any substance which may cause injury o ill-health to or death ofhuman beings by reason of their toxic, corrosive, irritant, stronglysensitising or flammable nature or the generation of pressure thereby incertain circumstances during importation, manufacture, sale, use,operation, application, modification, disposal or dumping (RSA, 1973).Means undertaking all activities involving chemicals in such a way toensure the safety of human health and the environment. It covers allchemicals, natural and manufactured, and full range of exposuresituations from the natural presence of chemicals in the environment totheir extraction or synthesis and disposal (WHO, 2012).1. BACKGROUNDThese norms and standards for hazardous substances (HS) and chemical safety (CS) have beendeveloped in terms of the Annual Performance Plan (APP) 2012/13 – 2014/15 of the National Departmentof Health (NDoH). Environmental Health (EH) has a pivotal role to play in terms of chemical safety andhazardous substances as prescribed in the National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003) andHazardous Substances Act, 1973 (At No. 15 of 1973).The scope of profession for environmental health, promulgated under the Professions Act, 1974 Act 56 of1974 advocate for the following environmental health activities with respect to and chemicalsmanagement and the control of hazardous substances:Chemicals safety management:a) Monitoring and regulating all operators, fumigation firms and formal and informal retailers that dealswith the manufacture, application, transport and storage of chemicals;b) Permitting, licensing and auditing the premises of the above, e.g. by issuing Scheduled TradePermits;c) Facilitating advice, education and training on pesticides and/or chemical safety.Control of hazardous substances:a) Ensuring the correct labelling of hazardous substances;b) Ensuring all active ingredients are indicated;c) Ensuring warning signs are indicated;d) Ensuring precautions are taken during storage and transportation, and the appropriate protective gearis used during handling;e) Ensuring all hazardous substances are registered with the Departments of Agriculture andEnvironmental Affairs and Tourism;f) Ensuring hazardous substances control to prevent injury, ill-health or death by reason of the toxic,corrosive, irritant or flammable nature of substances;g) Ensuring control over the importation, manufacture, sale, operation, application, modification ordumping of such substances;h) Ensuring premises are licensed and registered with the appropriate authorities;DOH. Norms and standards for environmental health in South Africa Feb 2013 135