The Extent of Occupational Health Hazard Impact on Workers: Documentary Evidence from National Occupational Disease Statistics and Selected South African Companies’ Voluntary Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures

Rikhotso, Oscar; Morodi, Thabiso John; Masekameni, Masilu Daniel

doi:10.3390/su141710464

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Companies considered for participation in the study were identified through a literature review study, procedures and results that are described by Rikhotso, Morodi and Masekameni ( 2022 ). The four companies included in the study were operating in the manufacturing and utilities sectors and had confirmed historic NIHL disclosures.…”

Section: Research Methods and Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noise risk assessments within the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies

Rikhotso,

Morodi,

Masekameni

2023

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background: The entire risk assessment process is fraught with methodological and technical uncertainties, exacerbated by the introduction in legislation of ambiguous technical terms such as adequately controlled and reasonably practicable. The combination of these factors renders the risk assessment process opaque regarding required employer actions for securing legal compliance within the noise risk assessment context.Aim: This study aims to evaluate how companies are applying and interpreting the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies within the context of hearing conservation programmes (HCPs) and noise risk assessment processes.Setting: Four manufacturing and utilities companies.Methods: The four companies, selected through convenience sampling, submitted noise risk assessment records for evaluation through document analysis to determine the companies’ interpretation of the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies.Results: In the reviewed noise risk assessment records, the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies were poorly discerned. Specifically, the hierarchical approach for noise control outlined in the noise induced hearing loss regulations, for which the basis for adequately controlled philosophy ensues, remains misinterpreted by employers. Furthermore, cost-benefit analysis, which enables decision-making on the tolerability of risk within the reasonably practicable philosophy, was also omitted in the assessments.Conclusion: The adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies were poorly applied and interpreted by the participating companies, to the detriment of tangible noise control.Contribution: This study provides insights on company application and interpretation of the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies, and HCPs, which contributes to inaction on noise control.

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Section: Research Methods and Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noise risk assessments within the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies

Rikhotso,

Morodi,

Masekameni

2023

Health SA Gesondheid

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“…The participating companies were conveniently selected, informed by a risk-based criteria of confirmed historic NIHL incidence, determined through the evaluation of sustainability reports. The final selected companies were identified and selected using a longitudinal study of 20 manufacturing and utilities companies, the method of which has been previously reported by Rikhotso et al ( 2023 ; 2022a ). Company A is from the utilities sector, whereas Companies B (petroleum refining), C (radioisotope manufacturing) and D were from the manufacturing sector.…”

Section: Research Methods and Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noise risk assessment practices of four South African manufacturing and utilities companies

Rikhotso,

Morodi,

Masekameni

2023

South African Journal of Communication Disorders

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Background: The South African Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) Regulations, mandates employers to conduct a noise risk assessment, which records specific variables for determining the status of exposure and the need for implementation of control measures.Objectives: The study evaluated company noise risk assessment practices for alignment with legal requirements and specific risk assessment guidelines.Method: Convenience sampling was used to select the four manufacturing and utilities companies that participated in the study. The participating companies submitted latest noise risk assessment records for evaluation through the READ approach.Results: The noise risk assessment records of three of the four companies omitted the recording of factors such as the reasonable deterioration in or failure of control measures, adequate control and formalisation of hearing conservation programmes (HCPs). When evaluated against the South African National Standard 31000 Risk Assessment guidelines, the risk assessment processes of the respective companies were lacking in addressing aspects related to establishing communication and consultation, evaluation, adapting, continually improving, leadership and commitment, and integration.Conclusion: The recorded information on the noise risk assessment reports from the four participating companies were incomplete, negatively affecting subsequent HCP management processes and decision-making. Future studies should investigate other aspects such as the implementation status of recommended noise controls as well as their effectiveness as recorded in the noise risk assessment records.Contribution: This study provided firsthand insights of company noise risk assessment practices, specifically identifying functional and technical areas requiring improvement to enhance current efforts directed towards the minimisation of NIHL within HCPs. The study highlighted that the current practices on recording noise risk assessment information remain incomplete, adversely diminishing the impact of the assessment as an important decision-making tool. The identified technical issues specifically, when addressed, will increase trust on the decisions derived from noise risk assessments.

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The Illusive Pipedream of Zero Harm: A South African Mining Industry Perspective

Rikhotso,

Shabangu,

Havenga

2024

Safety

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Mining industry activities are fraught with inherent exposure to occupational health and safety hazards, often with fatal outcomes, injuries and occupational diseases. This occurs amidst the introduction of contemporary mining methods and targeted health and safety regulation. This historical study evaluated company annual reports through document analysis, on a textual level, to evaluate the extent of OHS performance reporting, a measure of the attainment status of the zero-harm aspirational goal. The reporting of OHS performance indicators in annual reports by South African mining companies is widespread, though variable in format, content and context. There were variances in the reporting of OHS indicators by the case mining companies which obfuscate attempts for intra- and inter-company comparisons of OHS performance. The case companies included have not attained the stated goal of zero harm in view of the historically reported and protracted incidences of fatalities, injuries and occupational diseases, a direct threat to the decent work principle. The status quo challenges all affected stakeholders, including regulators, employers, employees and unions alike, to continuously investigate measures for arresting the situation.

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The Extent of Occupational Health Hazard Impact on Workers: Documentary Evidence from National Occupational Disease Statistics and Selected South African Companies’ Voluntary Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures

Cited by 4 publications

References 78 publications

Noise risk assessments within the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies

Noise risk assessments within the adequately controlled and reasonably practicable philosophies

Noise risk assessment practices of four South African manufacturing and utilities companies

The Illusive Pipedream of Zero Harm: A South African Mining Industry Perspective

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