South Africa has now terminated the utilization of asbestos which will greatly improve the environment and lead to fewer health problems related to asbestos of and this development needs to be celebrated.

This is the assertion of the Director General of the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Thobile Lamati which he expressed at the launch of the Asbestos Abatement Regulations on Friday (27 November 2020).

"As is the case with many other countries, South Africa still has asbestos containing materials in many buildings and naturally occurring asbestos in areas where it was previously mined. The legislator has already developed appropriate legislation and policy, however, the prime focus is to manage and control asbestos sources thus ensuring that the health of workers and communities in general is not adversely affected," he said.

The Asbestos Abatement Regulations promulgated on 10 November 2020 by the DEL Minister, gives duty to employers to provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to the health of employees.

The regulations give a clear duty on employers to identity asbestos in place and manage it properly. This duty is also extended to employees to take care of their health and safety and also look after others who may be affected by their acts or omissions; co-operate with the employer to enable him/her to comply with the Act; carry out any lawful order, and obey the health & safety rules; report any unsafe situation to the employer or to the health & safety rep - in order to ensure that their human dignity and safety is preserved.

Although there is no national policy currently with a cut-off date when all buildings must be asbestos free, employers are encouraged to self-develop policy and procedure as to how they are going to be phasing out asbestos in their buildings.

Regulation 3 and 20 gives employers an implementation time period of 18 months from the promulgation date, to develop written asbestos management plans as well as the labeling and signage to indicate materials or buildings containing asbestos.

The new Asbestos Abatement Regulations 2020 replaces the Asbestos Regulations, 2001 and was done in partnership with National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH). The launch was observed under the theme: "Moving towards an asbestos risk free work environment and society".

Also speaking at the launch was the department’s Senior Specialist: Occupational Health & Hygiene, Bulelwa Huna, who said there are some 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million occupational diseases reported annually across the globe including South Africa.

Huna said the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 4% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), was lost due to accidents and work-related diseases. This, she said, are issues that are preventable in the workplace where money could have been used for preventative measures.

She said exposure to such accidents not only come with economic costs but they also come with immeasurable human suffering and intangible cost that is not fully recognized and lead to the community suffering.

She said regulators across the world including South Africa, have never accepted the proposition that injury and diseases go with the job.

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