National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health

h) An adequate number of purpose-manufactured, leak-proof, sealable containers must be available forthe storage of health care risk waste. Such containers to be designed as to not allow the exposure ofneedles, cuts and other substances that may cause harm to service users or staff members;i) Containers used for the storage of health care risk waste must be clearly labeled in large, legiblelettering;j) Employees must be adequately trained in the identification, separation, handling and storing of healthcare risk waste;k) Containers used for the storage of health care risk waste must be clearly labeled in large, legiblelettering;l) Employees must be adequately trained in the identification, separation, handling and storing of healthcare risk waste;m) Health care risk waste may only be removed/ collected, transported, treated and dispose by aregistered service provider from the premises.3.4 Infection prevention and controla) Infection control and prevention standards concurrent with the standards as set out in the CoreStandards for Health Establishments in South Africa, published by the National Department of Health,Office of the Health Standards Compliance.3.5 Storage facilitiesa) If five or more persons are employed, separate change-rooms must be provided for male and femalestaff members, equipped with storage facilities or lockers for personal belongings of each worker.b) Food and non-food items must be stored separately; refrigerators used for storage of medicines mustnot at any time be used for storage of any foodstuffs.c) Separate storage facilities for dirty and clean linen and equipment, including sluice facilities forcleaning of soiled linen and equipment must be provided.d) Separate storage facilities must be provided for storage of cleaning equipment and medicines.3.6 Rodent proofing and pest controla) The construction of rodent proofing must be done on the internal and external areas of the facility tominimize the risk of rodents and pests.a) Rodent proofing in must be maintained in good order or repair so as to be impervious to rodents.b) To prevent the wide-spreading of rodents or pests, rodents must be eliminated before demolition ofany building or structure likely to be infested with rodents.c) A rodent management program must be in place in line with the requirements as set out inSection……….of this norms and standards.3.7 General requirementsa) The storage and dispensing of medicines must comply with the Pharmacy Act, Medicines andRelated Substances Act and the relevant regulations.b) The building structure must be maintained in good repair to provide the safety of clients/patients.c) The premises must comply to the Local Fire Authority’s, fire safety regulations and requirements.d) All areas of the facility must be kept clean, free from offensive odours, debris, litter and othermiscellaneous waste at all times.e) Appropriate cleaning material and equipment must be available and properly used and stored.f) Infection control procedures relating to cleaning must be followed in all areas of the facility.SECTION 12: HEALTH ESTABLISHMENTSHealth establishments shall refer to public and private hospitals and includes, district, regional and tertiaryhospitals.1. NORMSDOH. Norms and standards for environmental health in South Africa Feb 2013 47