Silica dust legislation in South Africa: Now is the time to reduce occupational exposure limits.

The resurgence of silica dust-related diseases has driven more traction toward changes in silica dust legislation around the world. However, the occupational exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica dust in South Africa has remained the same for the past 22 years.

In 2008, the then Department of Labor reduced the occupational exposure limit (OEL) for respirable crystalline silica dust in South Africa from 0.4mg/m3 to 0.1mg/m3. Compared to the rest of the world - USA, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Australia (0.05 mg/m3), Canada (0.025 mg/m3), Netherlands (0.075 mg/m3), Poland (0.3 mg/m3) and the UK (0.1 mg/m3). In 2003, the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits recommended OEL for silica dust to be set at 0.05 mg/m3.

Now is the time to reduce occupational exposure limits as the fight against silica dust-related diseases continues to scourge a multitude of industries in the country.

Given below is the historical timeline of documentation depicting different steps that have been taken to amend several acts through various notices related to silica dust legislation in South Africa over the past 40 years.

22/03/78 - Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Amendment Act 30 of 1978

16/07/04 - Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act: Compensation for pulmonary tuberculosis associated with silica dust exposure

13/11/06 - Dust elimination and control initiatives during rock handling: Current system improvements and potential alternatives

02/02/07 - Mine Health and Safety Council: Dust elimination and control initiatives during rock handling: Current system improvements and potential alternatives: New registration and workshop dates

27/06/08 - Occupational Health and Safety Act: Regulations: Hazardous Chemical Substances: Occupational exposure control limit for silica in Table 1: Amendment

05/02/10 - Occupational Health and Safety Act: Bi-annual silica reports: Silica dust data collection guiding document and silica exposure compliance tool

27/05/11 - National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: Regulations: National dust control: Draft

07/12/12 - National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: Regulations: National Dust Control: Draft

21/12/12 - National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: Regulations: National Dust Control & Format of Atmospheric Impact Report format: Draft; List of activities which result in atmospheric emissions which have or may have a significant detrimental effect on

07/06/13 - Occupational Health and Safety Act: Submission period of crystalline silica air monitoring reports: Amendment

31/10/13 - National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: Regulations: National dust control

25/05/18 - National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: Regulations: National dust control: Comments invited

30/08/19 - National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: Repeal of regulations relating to inspection of premises in a dust control area: Comments invited

29/03/21 - Regulations: Hazardous Chemical Agents 2021

18/06/21 - National Environmental Management Air Quality Act: Repeal of regulations relating to inspection of premises in a Dust Control Area

Keith Nare is a freelance technical writer that is passionate and enthusiastic about health and safety, sustainability, networking, and finding synergy through conversations.