Hazardous Biological Agents Regulations extract.

Extract from Government Gazette 22956 dated 27 December 2001

An employer shall,

BEFORE any employee is exposed or may be exposed to HBA & AFTER consultation with the health & safety committee established for that section of the workplace, ensure that the employee is adequately & comprehensively informed & trained, on both practical aspects & theoretical knowledge with regard to –

a) the contents & scope of these Regulations;

b) the potential risks to health caused by the exposure;

c) the measures to be taken by the employer to protect an employee against any risk of being exposed;

d) the importance of good housekeeping at the workplace & personal hygiene requirements;

e) the precautions to be taken by an employee to protect him- or herself against the health risks associated with the exposure, including the wearing & use of protective clothing & respiratory protective equipment;

f) the necessity, correct use, maintenance & potential of safety equipment, facilities & engineering control measures provided;

g) the necessity of medical surveillance;

h) the safe working procedures regarding the use, handling, storage, labeling, & disposal of HBA at the workplace;

i) the procedures to be followed in the event of exposure, spillage, leakage, injury or any similar emergency situation, & decontaminating or disinfecting contaminated areas; and

j) the potential detrimental effect of exposure on the human reproductive process.

(2) An employer or a self-employed person shall give instructions in writing of the procedures contemplated in sub-regulation (1)(/) to the drivers of vehicles carrying the HBA.

(3) Every employer & every self-employed person shall ensure that he or she or any person who in any manner assists him or her in the carrying out or conducting of his or her business has the necessary information & has undergone sufficient training in order for him or her to identify the potential risks & the precautions that should be taken.