Norms and Standards for Health Surveillance of …

1 DOH. Norms and Standards for environmental Health in South Africa Feb 2013 1 No. 36849 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 20 SEPTEMBER 2013 GENERAL NOTICES NOTICE 943 OF 2013 DEPARTMENT OF Health NATIONAL Norms AND Standards RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL Health IN TERMS OF NATIONAL Health ACT, 2003 (ACT NO 61 OF 2003) The Director-General of the National Department of Health intends to set Norms and Standards for environmental Health , in terms of Chapter 3, Section 2(a)(ii) of the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003). Interested and affected parties are invited to submit any substantiated comments or representations on the proposed Norms and Standards to the Director-General: Health , Private Bag X 828, Pretoria, 0001 (for the attention of the Director: Environmental Health ), within one (1) month from the date of publication of this notice.

2 The Norms and Standards document is accessible from the Department of Health s website (link: resource centre-legislation-documents for comments), or by Email: Tel: 012 395 8524/21. DR A MOTSOALEDI, MP MINISTER OF Health DATE: 19/08/2013 DOH. Norms and Standards for environmental Health in South Africa Feb 2013 2 Contents Page Acknowledgements 3 Foreword by Minister of Health 4 Preamble by Director-General 5 Acronyms/abbreviations 6 Policy and legislative context 7 Defining terms 8 1. Introduction 9 Policy context 9 Legal context 9 2. Purpose of the Norms and Standards 10 3. Background and structure 10 4. The use of the Norms and Standards 10 5. Monitoring and enforcement 11 6.

3 Chapter 1: Health Surveillance of premises 12 7. Chapter 2: Port Health 78 8. Chapter 3: Health related water quality monitoring 89 9. Chapter 4: Waste management( General, Hazardous and Health care risk waste) 110 10. Chapter 5: Hazardous substances and chemicals management 135 References 140 Appendixes 142 Appendix 1: A framework for designing water quality monitoring programme Appendix 2: List of water related diseases most common in the Southern African region DOH. Norms and Standards for environmental Health in South Africa Feb 2013 3 Acknowledgements Drafting Team (National Department of Health ) Aneliswa Cele National Department of Health Belinda Makhafola National Department of Health Murdock Ramathuba National Department of Health Ramsook Loykisoonlal National Department of Health Flavia masekwameng National Department of Health Pam Nkabinde National Department of Health Consultative technical inputs (Water Quality Monitoring) Ms SL Mudau Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Ms J Burgess Water Research Commission (WRC) Mr M Agenbag Joe Qabe District Municipality Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality Water Quality Team Consultative technical inputs ( Health Surveillance of premises)

4 Poovendhree Reddy Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Dr JL Bekker Transvaal university of Technology Environmental Health Services Joe Qabe District Municipality Environmental Health Services Eastern Cape Department of Health DOH. Norms and Standards for environmental Health in South Africa Feb 2013 4 Foreword by Minister of Health Government recognises the importance of prevention across all areas of Health care, therefore whenever possible the burden of illness and disability must be averted by preventative interventions. Environmental Health is a fundamental public Health approach affecting the whole population. Services provided by Environmental Health Practitioners are essential elements in building healthy populations; which includes amongst others, food safety; sanitation; water quality monitoring; Health Surveillance of premises; waste management, the protection of indoor and outdoor air quality, communicable diseases control and tobacco control.

5 The continued neglect on basic public Health practices in general and of environmental Health , has resulted in the emerging and re-emerging of diseases seen around the world. Environmental Health for us remains the first line of defense against diseases; therefore the provision of quality environmental Health services is critical. It is for this reason that I have gazetted the Regulations that governs the Scope of Profession for Environmental Health and for these Norms and Standards to be developed. Environmental Health Practitioners are Health officers appointed in terms of the National Health Act, (Act 61 of 2003) and registered with as such in terms of the Health Professions Act (act 56 of 1974). EHPS are provided with powers to enter any premises, excluding a private dwelling to ensure compliance with the act.

6 EHPS must enter any premises for the purpose of conducting inspections and or environmental Health investigations, to ensure abatement of any condition that constitute a Health hazard or nuisance. EHPs may further issue compliance notice to any person if a provision in Act has not been complied with. These Norms and Standards have been developed with extensive input from the environmental Health fraternity, which includes Environmental Health Practitioners at District and Metropolitan Municipality, Provincial Department s of Health , academic institutions and other government departments. These Norms and Standards speak to everyone; they address Environmental Health Practitioners responsible for providing environmental Health services, the private and public, as well as the community in general. They reflect the vision of South Africa s Environmental Health to ensure provision of quality services, as well as requirements to ensure the protection of human Health .

7 Continuous monitoring in accordance with these Standards , as well as monitoring to ensure compliance with the Standards will contribute towards the prevention of diseases as a result of environmental factors and the promotion of human Health . DR A MOTSOALEDI, MP MINISTER OF Health DOH. Norms and Standards for environmental Health in South Africa Feb 2013 5 Preamble by Director-General The National Norms and Standards for Environmental Health is the outcome of a planning process prioritized by the National Department of Health to strengthen the provision of environmental Health services in the country. The development process included extensive input from Environmental Health Practitioners at District and Metropolitan Municipality, Provincial Department s of Health , academic institutions and other government departments.

8 These Norms and Standards are premised on the fact that government recognises the importance of prevention across all areas of Health care. It is therefore essential to strengthen environmental Health services as a critical programme of preventive and developmental primary healthcare services, required to make a significant contribution to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly MDGs 4, 5, 6 and 7. The National Norms and Standards for environmental Health clearly outline what is expected, and required, to deliver quality environmental Health services. They also outline what is required from business, communities and other government departments to ensure an environment that protects and promotes human Health . A process of continuous monitoring is encouraged to ensure compliance by all.

9 These Norms and Standards are mainly based on existing South African policy and legislation, while also reflecting international best practice. The Standards provides for a national approach and standardization of functions and activities in relation to environmental Health by Environmental Health Practitioners. Legislation identifies a range of government departments that have some responsibilities related to the environment and human Health , therefore implementing these Norms and Standards effectively will also require collaboration with other government departments, such as the Departments of Environmental Affairs, Water Affairs, Basic Education, and Social Development amongst others, in order to operate within a framework of cooperative governance. MS MP MATSOSO DIRECTOR-GENERAL: Health DOH.

10 Norms and Standards for environmental Health in South Africa Feb 2013 6 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS: CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research DEA Department of Environmental Affairs DOH Department of Health DWA Department of Water Affairs EH Environmental Health EHP Environmental Health Practitioner HCRW Health Care Risk Waste MHS Municipal Health Services SABS South African Bureau of Standards SANS South African National Standards WHO World Health Organisation WSA Water Services Authority WSI Water Safety institution/intermediaries WSP Water Safety Plan WSPs Water Services Providers SODIS Solar disinfection DOH. Norms and Standards for environmental Health in South Africa Feb 2013 7 POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK The Environmental Health Norms and Standards are developed within the below mentioned legislative framework: The Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996); National Health Act 2003, (Act no 61 of 2003); Scope of Profession for Environmental Health , R698 of 2009; Water Services Act, 1997 (Act 108 of 1997); Municipal Systems Act 2000, (Act no 32 of 2000); Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act 117 of 1998); Strategic Framework for Water Services, 2003; Hazardous Substances Act, 1973 (Act 5 of 1973) and Regulations; National Environmental Management, Waste Act 2008 (Act 59 of 2008); National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998); Environmental Conservation Act, (Act 73 of 1989); Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act 85 of 1993).