Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Code of Practice

Purchase

(1)	In accordance with its obligation under the OHSA, regulation 5 of the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces10 and the HBA Regulations, every employer must—

(a)	keep the workplace well ventilated by natural or mechanical means to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 viral load;

(b)	identify areas in the workplace that are usually occupied and poorly ventilated, and improve ventilation through—

(i)	natural ventilation including opening doors, windows and vents and where possible cross ventilation in preference to single-sided ventilation;

(ii)	ventilation through the use of fans, air conditioners or mechanical ventilation.

(c)	where reasonably practicable, have an effective mechanical ventilation system that—

(i)	is technically assessed to be functioning effectively and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;

(ii)	is regularly serviced and maintained by a competent person in particular that ventilation filters are cleaned and replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions;

(iii)

supplies fresh air at an adequate ventilation rate;

(iv)	does not have ventilation vents that feed-back through open windows;

(v)	does not recirculate the air; and

(vi)	if appropriate in terms of the Guidelines referred to in paragraph (d), have High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters; and

(d)	ensure that ventilation is in accordance with the NDOH Guidelines for ventilation to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus.11

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10 Environmental Regulations for Workplaces GNR 2281 of 16 October 1987.

11 https://www.nioh.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/V1.1-Guidelines-for-ventilation-to-prevent-the-spread-of-the-SARS-CoV-2-virus-FINAL.pdf