A change in a long-standing regulation… the move away from the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces.
Anthony Schewitz -Regional Director: Highveld
Since its publication in 1987, the environmental regulations have been a crucial part in protecting persons against specific risks involved in the workplace, in 2024 the Physical Agents Regulations were published and repealed the regulations, allowing implementation for 18 months, where in September 2026, the new regulation will be the only one applicable.
The transition from the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces 1987 to the Physical Agent Regulations, 2024 marks a shift from a “minimum standards” approach to a “risk management” framework. For employers in the electrical industry—ranging from power generation and distribution to commercial electrical contracting—these changes impose stricter technical and administrative burdens.
1. Integration of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and Optical Radiation
The 1987 regulations were almost entirely silent on non-ionising radiation. The 2024 regulations formally include Non-Ionising Radiation (including EMF and Optical Radiation) as physical agents.
- Relevance to Electrical Industry: This is the most critical update for this sector. Electricians and utility workers frequently work near high-voltage equipment, transformers, and busbars that generate significant electromagnetic fields.
- Specific Requirement: Employers must now assess exposure to these fields against Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) to prevent effects such as “stimulation of muscles, nerves or sensory organs” and thermal stresses.
2. Comprehensive Vibration Management
While the 1987 regulations only mentioned vibration in passing regarding hand protection, the 2024 regulations provide a robust framework for Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) and Whole-Body Vibration (WBV).
- Relevance to Electrical Industry: Electrical contractors frequently use percussion drills, jackhammers for trenching, and angle grinders for chasing walls.
- Improvement: Employers are now required to perform technical monitoring of vibration levels and implement “vibration-reduced” tool procurement policies. If levels exceed limits, a formal “vibration-reduction programme” must be established.
3. Transition to the “Physical Agent Exposure Risk Assessment.”
The 1987 version focused on compliance with static tables (e.g., specific lux levels for lighting). The 2024 version mandates a documented risk assessment conducted by a “competent person” every 24 months.
- Relevance to Electrical Industry: For electrical employers, this assessment must now account for specialized environments, such as working in confined substations (Indoor Air Quality), working on outdoor pylons (Thermal Stress), and the specific light-intensity needs for intricate wiring (Illumination).
- Improvement: The assessment must specifically consider “vulnerable employees” and the “interaction between physical agents”—for example, how high heat in a transformer room might increase the physiological strain of vibration from hand tools.
4. Stringent Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Ventilation
The 2024 regulations expand “Ventilation” into a broader “Indoor Air Quality” category, setting specific guidance for CO2 levels and airborne contaminants.
- Relevance to Electrical Industry: This is vital for workers involved in soldering, battery room maintenance (lead-acid fumes), or SF6 gas handling in switchgear.
- Improvement: Employers must ensure that the “Physical Agent Programme” includes documented maintenance and validation of ventilation systems at least every 24 months.
5. Medical Screening vs. Medical Surveillance
The 1987 regulations had limited triggers for medical exams. The 2024 regulations introduce a tiered medical approach:
- Medical Screening: To identify if a worker is “fit for work” in a specific environment (e.g., heat or cold).
- Medical Surveillance: To monitor for health effects resulting from exposure (e.g., hearing loss from noise or neurological issues from vibration).
- Electrical Industry Impact: Electricians working at heights or in high-voltage environments must undergo these screenings to ensure no underlying conditions (like vertigo or cardiac issues) are exacerbated by physical agents like EMF or heat.
6. Duties of Designers and Suppliers
A significant addition in the 2024 regulations (Regulation 5) is the legal duty placed on designers, manufacturers, and importers.
- Relevance to Electrical Industry: Manufacturers of electrical switchgear, power tools, and lighting systems must now provide “adequate information” regarding the physical agents their equipment emits.
- Benefit to Employers: Electrical contractors can now demand “Noise and Vibration Data Sheets” from tool suppliers to assist in their own risk assessments, shifting some of the burden of proof back to the equipment manufacturers.
