The Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) has compiled a comprehensive checklist to assist members to comply with health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements of the Association, as well as the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).
The document aims to remove quarry managers’ stress of inspection days by providing them with a comprehensive checklist of requirements which they can use to identify shortcomings and administer their processes.
Aspasa members have a proud HSE safety track record and have built up an outstanding working relationship with the DMR to establish safer and less harmful quarrying practices. The checklist is aimed at further improving compliance with even the smallest details listed on the checklist for the attention of quarry managers and staff.
Nico Pienaar, director of Aspasa, explains that the checklist provides a structured and documented approach to identifying and controlling hazards. This will help with the Aspasa health and safety audit that is done once a year by the Association (Aspasa ISHE audit). It provides a basic and consistent approach for workplace inspection and hazard identification, again helping Aspasa management and workers to ensure a safe working environment.
“The frequency of using the checklist can be tailored to the needs of the workplace. High risk items or work areas may require more frequent assessment. But, as a general guideline we suggest that the inspection checklist is used quarterly to monitor the workplace, at the Aspasa member’s operation.
“When using the checklist, we also recommend that the entire workforce be involved. All people are responsible for looking for hazards and can assist in the completion of relevant sections of the checklist. Although it is 100% comprehensive, it is easy to use and complete,” he says.
“Items that meet the standard are noted in the results column with a (√), while those that require action record are simply noted with an (x) or are not applicable with N/A. Where the standard is not met or a risk is found and noted with an (x), action is required.
“Record the action taken on the checklist in the ‘comment’ column. When a serious risk or danger is found take immediate action to make it safe and record the action later. Keep all completed checklists in a file for later reference. This will enable easy follow up of hazards identification and action taken. Share the results of the inspections in consultation with the workforce and ensure constant improvement.”
Pienaar concludes that examples of required documents are also given in the checklist which managers can tailor and use for compliance records. “The idea of the checklist is to properly prepare quarry managers for inspections and ensure that they have covered all their bases when it comes to compliance.”
Checklists are available to members from the Aspasa offices. Contact Mary-Ann on (011) 791 3327, or Email: office@aspasa.co.za.
