TECHNICAL
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When there is bad
lightning, get indoors,
especially if you are
working under trees
and with water.
Flooding can occur
anywhere – make sure
you have an escape
route and have
practised escaping
from a vehicle with
your staff.
Wear all the necessary
safety equipment when
working at heights.
high, work may be temporarily stopped due to the risk of
heatstroke and collapse. The management of potential
heat stroke is to be included in the emergency plan.
DISCOMFORT INDEX
This index evaluates the impact of heat stress on the
individual, taking into account the combined effect of
temperature and humidity.
The formula used by the SA Weather Service to calculate
discomfort index is:
Discomfort index = (2 x T) + (RH/100 x T) + 24
Where:
T is the dry-bulb or air temperature in degrees Celsius
RH is the percentage relative humidity.
This index gives the following degrees of discomfort:
90–100: Very uncomfortable
100–110: Extremely uncomfortable
110+: Hazardous to health
Since the relative humidity of the air can be calculated
from the dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures, the
formula can also be adapted to use the wet-bulb
temperature instead of the relative humidity.
EMERGENCY PLAN
The client, principal contractor, and contractor’s
emergency response manual must include procedures for
adverse weather conditions (high winds, flooding, storm
surge, lightning, and so on.). In the event of impending
adverse weather or other conditions, a decision must be
made whether to institute such precautionary measures in
connection with the carrying out of the work, for example
emergency temporary banding, tie down of cranes, and
partly installed structures.
PLUMBERS AND RAINWATER HARVESTING
Section 12 of the national norms and standards relating
to environmental health in terms of the National Health
Act, 2003 (Act No 61 of 2003), states that rainwater is
relatively free from impurities, except those impurities
picked up by the rain from the atmosphere. The quality
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of rainwater may also deteriorate during harvesting,
storage, and household use.
Thus, the following must be adhered to:
• Rainwater harvesting systems must be well
designed with clean catchments to prevent
contamination.
• Cisterns and storage tanks must be properly
covered to prevent pollution, mosquito access, and
breeding inside the tanks.
• EHPs must educate the community on good
hygiene practices in relation to the use of rainwater
at household level to prevent contamination and the
spread of diseases.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The National Development Plan 2030 stated the following
about climate change in South Africa. “Emissions of
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are changing
the earth’s climate, potentially imposing a significant global
cost that will fall disproportionately on the poor. Rising
temperatures, more erratic rainfall, and extreme weather
events are likely to take a heavy toll on Africa, with an
increased spread of tropical diseases and growing losses
(human and financial) from droughts and flooding. Climate
change has the potential to reduce food production and
the availability of potable water, with consequences for
migration patterns and levels of conflict.”
RAINS AND FLOODING
• Stay indoors and off the roads if at all possible.
• Listen to the special warnings on the radio and TV.
• Avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where
water reaches above your ankles.
• Move to higher ground.
• In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above
the expected flood level.
• Switch off electricity at the supply point to the
building.
• In rural areas, protect/relocate animals to a safe
place on higher ground.
Safety is in your hands. For more information, email
[email protected]. PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za