Schedule
Annexure 1: For information purposesWorker COVID-19 Risk AssessmentAnnexure 2: For Information PurposesSpecialised health risk assessment for workplaces (by employers and self-employed persons)Annexure 3: For Information PurposesCOVID-19 Walk-through Risk AssessmentAnnexure 4: For Information PurposesGuideline on safe and healthy start-up procedure post the COVID-19 lockdown, which resulted in extended shutdown of active mining operationsAnnexure 5: MandatoryStart-up procedure of mines by employers and employees following a 21 day national lockdownAnnexure 7: For Information PurposesCriteria for Person Under InvestigationPersons with acute respiratory illness with sudden onset of at least one of the following: cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or fever [≥ 38°C (measured) or history of fever (subjective)] irrespective of admission status ANDIn the 14 days prior to onset of symptoms, met at least one of the following epidemiological criteria:• Were in close contact¹ with a confirmed² or probable³ case of SARS-CoV-2 infection;OR• Had a history of travel to areas with presumed ongoing community transmission of SARS-CoV-2; i.e., China, USA, Spain, United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Hong Kong, Italy, and Taiwan (NB Affected countries will change with time, consult the NICD website for current updates); A history of travel to provinces or districts with high community transmissions should be considered as well.OR• Worked in, or attended a health care facility where patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections were being treated;OR• Admitted with severe pneumonia of unknown aetiology¹Close contact: a person having had face-to-face contact or was in a closed environment with a covid-19 case; this includes, amongst others, all persons living in the same household as a covid-19 case and, people working closely in the same environment as a case. a healthcare worker or other person providing direct care for a covid-19 case, while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment or PPE (e.g., gowns, gloves, NIOSH-certified disposable N95 respirator, eye protection). A contact in an aircraft sitting within two seats (in any direction) of the case, travel companions or persons providing care, and crew members serving in the section of the aircraft where the case was seated.²Confirmed case: A person with laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.³Probable case: A PUI for whom testing for SARS-CoV-2 is inconclusive (the result of the test reported by the laboratory) or who tested positive on a pan-coronavirus assay.Clinicians must also be vigilant for the possibility of atypical clinical presentations among immunocompromised patients. Consider the possibility of influenza (Northern Hemisphere season ends in April or May) and bacterial pneumonia and manage accordingly.Annexure 7 (a): For Information PurposesRevised COVID-19 Notifiable medical conditions case definitions. 5 April 2020)Annexure 8: For Information PurposesControl Measures to Manage the Risk of Exposure to Breathalyser1.It is recommended that the procedure is performed outdoors. where the procedure must be performed indoors, there has to be adequate ventilation and natural or artificial uv light to reduce the amount of viable organism in the air.2.The breathalyser must be held with an extended arm away from the operator. The person must blow into the blow point, directed past the operator. This is in cases where the operator is required to hold the device.3.It is recommended for an operator to wear mask, gloves and goggles. this is provided that they are fully trained and competent in the use of this ppe in infection control.4.The operator will require training to put on and take off the mask without contaminating their faces and autoinoculation of their mucus membranes.5.If possible, the people being tested can hold the device themselves - this would be preferable.6.The mouth of the person being tested must be at a distance of 50mm from blow point.7.Employees must be instructed not place lips on blow point.8.The person must be instructed to blow steadily towards the blow point for 2 to 3 Seconds.Annexure 9: For Information PurposesHandling of occupational hygiene personal sampling with regards to COVID-19.Annexure 10: MandatoryNotice on compensation for occupationally acquired corona virus under COIDA, Amended ActAnnexure 11: For Information PurposesSpirometry TestingNote: To be suspended unless effective IPC can be guaranteedProcess evaluation for spirometry testingDuring the spirometry manoeuvre, the client is required to take a deep breath and exhale maximally into the spirometer to produce a Spirograph. This needs to be done at least three times to produce an acceptable test result. This forced manoeuvre often results in coughing and spluttering which can result in the release of droplets from the airway into the environment. The technician conducting the spirometry is usually sitting below the standing client or next to the client when sitting and there is a likelihood of the droplets landing on the face and mucus membranes of the tester. The client cannot move far away due to the cord connecting the spirometer to the computer. The operator must be in close proximity to the client to assess for any change in condition and to possibly support the client. The filters that are normally used will protect the spirometer from most microbes but it does not prevent the droplets from the client's mouth going into the environment if they cough or splutter during or after the manoeuvre.With the current pandemic, there may be individuals who are infected, asymptomatic and shedding the virus. The SARS CoV-2 cannot be compared to other respiratory pathogens in that it is highly contagious and extremely virulent and if not always deadly, results in morbidity and required isolation resulting in absenteeism. The impact that it has had on the world is unprecedented. The impact it could have on the working community in mines and industry will be devastating.Control measuresIn the usual day to day management of risk, spirometry requires standard infection control precautions such as adequate ventilation and airflow, UV lights, use of appropriate filters, adequate environmental cleaning, the use of gloves by the operator and effective hand hygiene. In the current environment the operator is required to do a risk assessment on the client to establish risk of infection by utilising a respiratory questionnaire. In the case where there is any doubt, the test is delayed and the client referred for medical assessment. Should spirometry be essential, then a mask, eye protection and gloves should be donned for the procedure.