National Norms and Standards relating to Environmental Health

2.1 Environmental health inspections of prisons and holding cells should be conducted at least twice (2)every year. The risk profile of specific premises should also inform the frequency of inspections.2.2 Inspection checklists should be designed and utilized during all inspections. The design of thechecklist should be informed by the health requirements that prison premises must comply with.2.3 Inspections of prisons and holding cells should include the assessment of aspects such as ventilation,indoor air quality, lighting, moisture-proofing, thermal quality and structural safety of the premises, aswell as overcrowding, dirty and unsatisfactory health conditions.2.4 An inspection report, including the relevant health recommendations must be issued to the person incharge of the school after every inspection is conducted.2.5 A database/inventory of all premises used as prisons, including police stations with holding cellsshould be maintained by EH in their municipality for monitoring and control purposes.3. STANDARDS FOR PRISON AND HOLDING CELLSPrisons, including police station holding cells must comply with the following health and safetyrequirements:3.1 Structural facilitiesa) Adequate floor space must be available for each prisoner/inmate on the premises, with regards to cellaccommodation to enable prisoners to move freely, and for sleeping purposes.b) At least …….m 2 of floor space must be available in a cell for each inmate consisting of single orcommunal cells or both, in accordance with part ………..of the National Building Regulations.c) Prison cells must be adequately ventilated by natural ventilation, illuminated by both natural andartificial lighting, to allow activities such as reading, and heated in terms of the National BuildingRegulations, SANS 10400.d) Holding cells must be kept clean at all times, free from debris, litter and other miscellaneous rubbishand be maintained in good repair.e) Adequate storage facilities must be provided for the storage of personal belongings of each inmate.3.2 Toilet and ablution facilitiesa) Adequate toilet, hand washing and shower facilities must be available on the premises for use byinmates.b) At least 1 (one) toilet facility and 1 (one) hand wash basin must be provided for every 20 (twenty)inmates on the premises; orc) 1(one) urinal must be provided for every 50 inmates on the premises.d) In the case where the toilet is located in cell, it must be enclosed to ensure privacy.e) 1 (one) shower must be provided for every 20 (twenty) inmates on the premises.f) Potable running hot and cold water must be available of every handwash basin and shower.g) Floors of the toilet must be constructed of an easily cleanable surface and walls are constructed of asmooth finish and painted with a light coloured washable paint.h) Toilet facilities must be kept clean at all times, and provided with an adequate supply of toilet paper,soap and drying towels.i) Toilet facilities must be maintained in good working order and in good repair at all times.3.3 Waste managementa) The collection, handling, storage and disposal of waste on the premises must be in compliance withthe National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008, the National Building Regulationsand also conform to be in line with the requirements as set out in Section2-5 of the Norms andStandards for Waste Management.3.4 Laundering facilitiesa) Prisons must have access to well managed laundry facilities for the effective laundering of beddingand clothing for prisoners;DOH. Norms and standards for environmental health in South Africa Feb 2013 71