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Health Surveillance of Premises by Garden Route District Municipality

Environmental Health

Environmental Health is concerned with the health and well-being of people and other living things. This field of study does this by addressing elements of health and safety and assessing various physical, chemical, biological and social factors in the surrounding environment that may negatively impact the health of present and future generations.

Environmental Health Practitioner

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), sometimes referred to as Health Inspectors, play a critical role when communicable diseases are at large. EHPs’ role in such instances includes preventative measures which revolve around hygiene inspection of premises, the general environment, health education and awareness campaigns.

The content of this article will focus on one (1) key performance area of Municipal Health Services namely ‘Health Surveillance of Premises’ whereby only two (2) types of premises will be discussed, ie.

  1. Cleaning and laundry facilities
  2. Health surveillance on farms

Health surveillance of premises is a Municipal Health Services Function, performed by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of the relevant local authority.
The National Act of 2003 (Act 61 of 2003) specifies that environmental health inspections and investigations be undertaken. Environmental Health inspections involve the identification, monitoring and evaluation of health risks, nuisances and hazards on any premises and instituting remedial and preventative measures where necessary.

1. Cleaning and laundry establishments

Environmental health inspections focus on the following areas of a b:

Structural requirements:

  • The layout of the facility;
  • Ventilation requirements;
  • Drainage system(s);
  • Interior wall surfaces;
  • Ceilings;
  • Floor surfaces; and
  • Height from floor to ceiling.

Water supply and sanitation facilities:

  • Total toilet facilities and hand wash basins;
  • Toilet facility requirements;
  • Provision of change rooms determined by the number of employees working at the premises;
  • Provision of soap and disposable towels at hand wash basin; and
  • Effective drainage and sewage disposal system requirements.

Storage, work areas and facilities:

  • Provision of a workroom, fixed and movable equipment;
  • In the case of receiving depots – provision of a separate area;
  • Floor area requirements;
  • Provision of a separate area and separate designated counter for receiving and dispatching of articles;
  • Provision of area for receiving and marking of soiled and dirty articles (working tables, adequate containers, hanging rails and shelves);
  • Provision of storage room;
  • Provision of hazard-free lockable storage for chemicals;
  • Packaging shelves requirements;
  • Machinery and equipment equipped with adequate suction fans;
  • Provision of a separate pre-rinsing area; and
  • Sanitary conditions of all fittings, equipment and appliances.

General requirements:

  • Compliance with emission levels regarding the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004);
  • Provision and requirements of staff kitchen; and
  • Fire department requirements.An inspection report indicating the conditions of the facility as well as recommendations (if any) will be issued to the owner or person in charge after every inspection.

2. Health surveillance on farms

The purpose of Municipal Health Services on farms is to enable the Municipality to protect and promote the long-term health and well-being of all people in the municipal area.

A suitable qualified EHP is appointed to perform duties as unpacked in the National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003) and Health Professions Act (Act.56 of 1974), to render municipal services routinely on an 18-month interval on every farm in the Garden Route District.

The municipal health services/functions require the following to comply with:

  • Structural facilities such as farm workers residence must comply with the requirements of the National Building Regulations and the Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act No. 103 of 1977);
  • Drinking water supply and treatment method;
  • Proper drainage systems;
  • Waste management;
  • Vector control;
  • Safe storage and control of Hazardous Substances;
  • Sanitation; and
  • Other activities such as farmstalls, B&Bs or Guesthouses, Home industry and Creches.

Municipalities, Sector Departments and Ward Committees discuss the 2018/19 – 2021/22 IDPs

The Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) hosted its first Integrated Development Planning (IDP)/Budget and Performance Management System (PMS) Representative Forum on 21 and 22 May 2018 at the Civic Centre of Mossel Bay.

The list of invitees included municipal officials from the Eden District, including Bitou, Mossel Bay, Knysna, George, Kannaland, Oudtshoorn and Hessequa municipalities, Ward Committee Members, as well as Provincial Government Department representatives. Their role at the event was to fill the gaps for services delivery which will ultimately be incorporated into the 2018/2019 – 2021/2022 IDPs of the participating municipalities within the area.

Sector Department Representatives who made presentations on the 2nd day of the IDP/Budget and PMS Representative Forum.
Back row (from left) are: Mr Thembinkosi Henge – IDP Manager of Bitou Municipality, Ms Kholiswa Jobela – Social Worker Manager: Mossel Bay & Hessequa, Mr Juan de Lora – Deputy Director: Department of Transport and Public Works, Dr Terence Marshall – District Manager: Department of Health Services, Ms Claire du Plessis – Property Planner: Department of Education, Mr David Ali – Chief Town & Regional Planner: Department of Human Settlements Planning and Mr Mzukisi Skosana – Social Services Manager: Eden & Central Karoo.
Front row (from left) are: Brigadier Centyana – South African Police Services, Ms Zingiswa William – Community Development Supervisor: Eden & Central Karoo and Cllr Memory Booysen – Eden DM Executive Mayor.

In officially starting off the event on the 21th of May, Executive Deputy Mayor of Eden DM, Cllr Rosina Ruiters, emphasised the importance of cooperative governance and said: “It is extremely important when Municipalities, Ward Committees and Government Departments work together on one IDP to effectively deliver services to the residents of the area”.

The Executive Mayor of Eden DM, once again, as in similar preceding occasions of this magnitude, emphasised the issue of competitiveness between municipalities, when he said: “We as municipalities do not have to compete with one another. “We have different roles to fulfil”. He also made an example of Imbizos hosted by Municipalities.  “When a local municipality wants to host an Imbizo, they can do so and we as a district can assist. He also explained that when the District wants to host an Imbizo, it can also be done within a municipal jurisdiction of the Eden district, but it must be done in collaboration with the relevant B-municipality,” he clarified.

In the demographic profile presented by Mayor Booysen, he stated that the poverty rate per headcount stands at 48, 5% which is worrying.
Given the recent water challenges of the District, Mayor Booysen also raised the issue of Eden DM who applied to become a water services authority and said that some municipalities in the district do not have the capacity to deal with their water challenges.  “By becoming a water services authority, we need to look at the realities of our district,” he said. “Through these efforts, Mayor Booysen highlighted: “We want to be a caring, respectful and resourceful District. We want to inspire and we want to excel in whatever we do,” he added.

Ward Committee Members from Greater Oudtshoorn present at the IDP/Budget and PMS Representative Forum. In no particular order are: Ms Louisa Prins, Mr Isaac Fielies, Ms Daleen Everts, Ms Lynn Kapieka, Ms Esmarine Stuurman, Mr Lizo Dani, Mr James Stokes, Mr John Afrika, Mr Kosie Jansen, Mr Bennie Arends, Mr Saul Rabie and Mr Stephen Adams during a short break.

On the 1st day’s programme, Municipalities presented their challenges and gaps within their respective areas, which included: water storage facilities, storm water management facilities, the issue of land, funding, waste management facilities, unemployed youth, to name but a few.  In response to all the questions posed by delegates in relation to the land issues, Mayor Booysen responded by saying: “We probably need to host a land summit in the near future to cover the issues of land per area”.

Eden DM Speaker, Cllr Mark Willemse, gave an outline of the day’s programme. Speaker Willemse said: “Today we are here as municipalities to understand our different roles and how we fit into each other’s roles. We need to work together in a spirit of cooperation in order for service delivery to be at its optimum”.

On day 2 of the Forum, Governmental Sector Departments presented the various services which they deliver to the communities within the Eden District. These Departments include:  The Department of Agriculture, South African Police Services, Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Department of Community Safety, Department of Human Settlements, Department of Education Department of Transport and Public Works etc. Delegates used the time availed to them to pose questions. The need for drug rehabilitation centres, additional SAPS services or satellite offices, additional ambulance services etc. were amongst the issues raised. Limited funding to roll out projects and the effects of water shortages etc. were also mentioned.

Executive Mayors, Executive Deputy Mayors and Councillors as well as Senior Officials, representatives from sector departments and ward committee members were amongst the guests who attended and participated in the discussions that will contribute to the planning of IDPs for the 2018/19 financial year.

During the first break, delegates used the opportunity to interact with Sector Departments. In the picture Cllr Ann Windvogel from Eden DM is conversing with Mr Clyde Lamberts, Manager of Agriculture – Eden Coastal.

The event was successfully organised by the IDP Section of Eden District Municipality led by Mzukisi Cekiso and directed by Speaker of Eden DM, Councillor Mark Willemse.

 

 

Mr Kosie Jansen, Oudtshoorn Ward Committee Member, raised the need for a drug rehabilitation centre in Oudtshoorn. With him are Mr Mzukisi Cekiso, Eden DM IDP Manager (back) and Mr Bennie Arendse, Oudtshoorn Ward Committee Member (front).
Eden DM officials (from left) Mr Samkelo Mangaliso (Performance Management), Ms Ilse Saaiman (Performance Management), Ms Melanie Wilson (Economic Development & Tourism), Ms Landiswa Ntango (Economic Development & Planning), Mr Mzukisi Cekiso (IDP Manager and Organiser of the event), Ms Lauren James (Risk Management), Mr Bandile Mbalo (IGR) with CFO of Knysna Municipality, Mr Mbulelo Memani (back, 3rd left).

All SMME Development Practitioners – book your seat

 

If you are an practitioner or involved in local economic development, find out more and request your seat here.
The Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) is planning to build an online SMME support ecosystem platform — a multi-functional website including a “map” of all SMME support structures.

SMMEs will be able to register on the platform and also be visible to practitioners. The platform will make SMME support more visible and accessible, enable practitioners to promote awareness of their services, and allow SMMEs to search for a range of support providers, tools and other resources. Then platform will also benefit business associations and Chambers who can promote their offering and reach out to new members.

We’d like to tell you more, and hear your views, at this breakfast briefing session. Light continental breakfast served.

Seats are limited, but if we are unable to accommodate you, we will contact you after the briefing events to provide you with more information on the platform and how you can participate.
Events will be taking place as follow:

Cape Metro. Woodstock, 28 May 2018
Cape Winelands. Worcester, 04 June 2018
Overberg. Caledon, 05 June 2018
Eden, George, 06 June 2018
Central Karoo. Prince Albert, 07 June 2018
West Coast, Saldanha, 22 June 2018 (TBC)

Go to https://goo.gl/kyYgSf and book your seat at a briefing near you.

Fencing subsidies provided by Eden DM

Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) has made funds available to assist landowners neighbouring rural roads with fencing of their properties.

The funding will only be applicable on a subsidy basis.  It effectively means that a 60% subsidy will be contributed towards the material on completion of the fencing.  The subsidy has been determined by an average price for material to the Fencing Subsidy Policy of the Eden DM.

New fences must adhere to the specifications of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape: Roads Infrastructure Department. Minimum specifications will be made available to successful applicants.

Application process

  1. Application forms can be obtained from Ms Bernadene Prinsloo from the Roads Services Department.  Contact numbers:  Office 044  803 1506;  Cell: 082 800 1263;  E-mail address:  bernadene@edendm.gov.za.
  2. Closing date for submission of applications is 31 May 2018.
  3. All applications will be verified and successful applicants will be notified by 30 June 2018.
  4. All fences must be fully completed by 31 January 2019 for payment before 28 February 2019.
  5. Payments will be made after inspection have been completed.

Municipal Health Services conducts Health & Hygiene Training at Tapas & Oyster Restaurant in Knysna

It becomes more evident that many bacteria, especially foodborne diseases, come to life as a result of poor hygiene practices in kitchens. On 11 May 2018 Environmental Health Practitioner of the Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) employed at the Knysna office, Ms Mendy Tyhawana, facilitated a Health & Hygiene Training session at the Tapas & Oyster Restaurant in Knysna.

Twelve staff members from the Tapas & Oyster Restaurant in Knysna soon after the Health & Hygiene Training Session. With them in the picture are: Kitchen Manager of the restaurant, Mr Owen October (left) and Eden DM Environmental Health Practitioner, Ms Mendy Tyhawana (2nd, left) .

Twelve kitchen staff members together with the kitchen manager, Mr Owen October, attended the session. Ms Mendy Tyhawana confirmed that the reason why she went to Tapas & Oyster Restaurant for the second time, is due to new employees who were appointed after she conducted the first training session. “As environmental health practitioners, we need to make sure that all staff members employed at food premises are aware of the importance of good hygiene practices, as the health of customers is in the hands of those staff”, Ms Tyhawana emphasised. “Your job as food handlers is important – take pride in what you are doing,” she added.

The following topics were covered, namely: (1) What is food poisoning; (2) How does one get food poisoning; (3) Signs and symptoms of food poisoning and (4) how to prevent it by using five keys to safer food, which are:

1. Keep clean
2. Separate raw from cooked food
3. Cook thoroughly
4. Keep food at a safe temperature
5. Use safe water and raw material

Participants listened attentively to the five keys to safer food and the practical examples made by Ms Mendy Tyhawana.

After the closing of the session, Ms Tyhawana said that even though some of the staff were new, she was surprised to hear that all of them were familiar with the five keys to safer food. “This means that staff members who attended the previous session, remembered the content of the session and also transferred their knowledge to the new staff. This is also a confirmation that the efforts made by environmental health practitioners are not in vain,” Ms Tyhawana highlighted.

More sessions will be conducted by the Eden District Municipality throughout the rest of the year to ensure the health and safety of residents in the Eden district.

Eden DM pilots a ‘paperless’ system

Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) piloted its first ‘paperless’ agendas and minutes for all Committee meetings on 10 May 2018. This additional step to ‘go green’ has been one of the 2016/17 – 2021/22 Council’s proposals since their term in office started. The Corporate Services Department at Eden DM has been hard at work strategising, designing and now, after blood, sweat and tears, rolled out a promising concept an unique ‘paperless’ model. According to the Executive Manager, Corporate Services, Ms Trix Holtzhausen: “This digitised working environment will resolve logistical issues (time driving, delivering and printing agendas and minutes), lower our carbon footprint, ensure that a seamless digital system is implemented.”

It is no secret that the delivery of printed agendas cost municipalities an exuberant amount of money. Eden DM Agendas and minutes have always been distributed from its Head Office, which is based in George, to 35 Councillors who reside in a wide geographic area (23 331 Km²). This resulted in employees required to deliver agendas over weekends and late at night. Councillors are not often at home due to their ongoing community-based projects, which resulted in many instances where delivery receipts for agendas could not be signed. Those responsible for delivering agendas were left with no option but to ask Councillors’ neighbours to keep agendas with them until their return.

During a meeting with the Corporate Services Committee members, the Eden DM Speaker, Cllr Mark Willemse shared a vote of appreciation and gratitude to employees who worked tirelessly to make the lives of Councillors easier. “We appreciate your effort, the system that you have created and the paperless route which will make us prudent and fiscally aware. We aim to make this a ‘best practice’ model for other municipalities in the Western Cape and South Africa,” said Cllr Willemse.

Eden DM Councillors and employees during the Corporate Services Committee meeting showcasing their new Samsung tablets.

Focus on Waste Management

Waste Management in South Africa is a very complex matter, and if not addressed correctly, it will have a negative impact on all members of the community.  For this reason, Eden District Municipality views Waste Management as crucially important, and is one of the leaders in the Western Cape with regards to the application of scientific, yet practical approaches in respect of Waste Management.

Some of the challenges in the Eden District include:

1. A growing population and economy, which means increased volumes of waste generated.
2. Increased complexity of waste streams, which directly affects the complexity of its management, which happens when hazardous waste is mixed with general waste.
3. A historical backlog of waste removal services in especially informal areas.
4. Limited understanding of the main waste flows and the national waste balance, due to the lack of data.
5. The absence of recycling infrastructure in certain towns which will enable separation of waste at the source.
6. Growing pressure on outdated Waste Management infrastructure, with declining levels of capital investment and maintenance in this sector.
7. Cost of Waste Management is not fully appreciated by consumers and industry and waste disposal is prevented over other options.
8. Few waste treatment options are available and are thus more expensive than landfill costs.

9. Eden District Municipality is therefore committed to achieve the goals as set out in the National Waste Management Strategy.

These goals are:

1. Promotion of waste minimisation, re-use, recycling and recovery of waste.
2. Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of waste services by municipalities.
3. Grow the contribution of the waste sector to the green economy.
4. Ensure that people are aware of the impact of waste on their health and the environment.
5. Achieve integrated Waste Management planning.
6. Ensure sound budgeting for waste services.
7. Provide measures to remediate contaminated land.
8. Establish effective compliance with and the enforcement of the Waste Act.

To achieve these goals, Eden District Municipality is in constant contact with all role players regarding the private sector, Department of Environmental Affairs, as well other municipalities and provinces.  With the new landfill site near PetroSA, that is foreseen to be taken into use in 2019, Eden District Municipality will ensure that all the above mentioned goals are met.

For more information on Waste Management, please visit our website at: https://goo.gl/a51Y4p

Eden DM Firefighters wins another challenge

International Firefighters Day was internationally celebrated on 4 May 2018 and celebrations continued in George on 5 May. Countless brave firefighting men and women have been committing their lives and will continue to commit their lives to protect humans, infrastructure, pets and wildlife etc.

After Team Eden DM Won the challenge, from left to right, are: Mr Clive Africa (Eden DM Executive Manager, Community Services), Mr Freddy Thaver (Eden DM Chief Firefighter), Cllr Memory Booysen (Eden DM Executive Mayor), Mr Emile Conrad (Eden DM Senior Firefighter), Mr David van Niekerk (Senior Firefighter) and Mr Deon Stoffels (Eden DM Senior Firefighter).

Eden District Municipality(Eden DM) formed part of the International Firefighter Day celebrations in George, which was arranged by George Municipality and sponsored by Oakhurst Insurance.

On 5 May 2018, Eden DM Firefighters participated in a Potjiekos competition and a Firefighter Team Challenge at Garden Route Mall. Two teams from Eden DM excelled during the Team Challenge where 11 teams competed.

Our Eden DM Firefighters won 1st place, while the other Eden DM team achieved the 5th position. WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE all our brave Firefighters for their excellence and perseverance.

Eden DM is notorious for being the best at firefighting in South Africa because the municipality’s firefighters have won the Toughest Firefighter Alive Competition and Relay Team divisions for a few years in a row.

Watch a video produced by the George Herald about the challenge here: https://youtu.be/gQ950Y-DGhU

Pictures were captured by George Municipality and one by the George Herald.

Declaring a Local Disaster

The Eden DM Disaster Management Centre has been the cornerstone of sourcing funding for B-Municipalities in the region when disaster-related incidents are foreseen or after it occurred. Local Government (Local Municipalities and the District), the appropriate Provincial Departments, and National Government consider the declaration of a disaster which is required by the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002) as amended.

The Disaster Management Act makes provision for the declaration of a local disaster.  Although not a prerequisite, the declaration of a disaster could assist access to a Central Contingency Fund, as well as to allow the applicable National / Provincial and Municipal budgets to be supplemented.

It is important to note that each disaster situation is unique. For example, during flash flooding, the government should undertake an immediate intervention to replace a water pipeline or sewerage main. This would mean that the process has to be fast-tracked, and work could commence within a couple of days.

For disasters like drought, which evolves over a few months, the approval process might take longer because the relevant municipality/sphere of government has to indicate if they would be able to deal with the effects of the disaster as part of their multi-year adjustment budgets. Any disaster declaration is valid for three months, but this could be extended on a month-to-month basis through a notice in the government gazette.

The process for declaring a local disaster is as follows:

1.    The Councils of both Local and District Municipalities should decide on whether or not to declare a local disaster.
2.    Once Councils have decided on a way forward, both council resolutions are provided to the Eden DM Disaster Management Centre (DMC), who will then request the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), for the declaration of a local disaster. This step takes one day to complete (after council resolutions were received).
3.    The next step would be that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, through a Provincial Cabinet Resolution, recommend or not recommend the request for a local disaster declaration. This step can take up to two weeks to complete.
4.    After that, if the local disaster has been recommended, the National Disaster Management Centre will have to confirm the local disaster declaration through a classification process.  The outcome of this classification process will determine the declaration of a local disaster, which then has to be published in the provincial gazette. This step can take one day or several months if the NDMC decides to first do on-site assessments of the situation, but each scenario is different.
5.    Funding transfer from National Treasury. This process can take between 6 months to two years to complete. Municipalities do however have access to emergency grants which can be provided on request within two weeks (depending on the type of disaster).
6.    If the grant funding route is followed, project plans need to be submitted with each application (project).

Before the processes above are considered, it must be noted that a Municipality would be required to prove that they have exhausted their revenue as prescribed by the Disaster Management Framework.

Once it is considered to forward a request to the PDMC for classification of a local authority area as a local state of the disaster area, Council should consider if the guiding principles as set out in Section 56 of the Disaster Management Act, 57 of 2002, were followed i.e.

“were the consequences of the situation unforeseen and unavoidable, would it have been reasonable to expect that prevention and mitigation measures could have been taken to avoid the catastrophe?”

Disaster declarations do not only unlock Provincial disaster assistance but also National assistance both in the form of disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction funding. A shared service is provided in the form of assistant with the capacity to local municipalities in dealing with after-effects of disasters or risk of disasters that could occur.

Below is an outline of what the Eden DM DMC has done in assisting local municipalities with disaster declarations in the district. To date, the monetary value received over the last two years exceed R27 000 000.

Current emergency disaster grant applications which have been submitted to the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) for submission to National Treasury, include: • The R52 mil Knysna drought assistance request is still pending at the NDMC;

  • The R144 mil disaster grant assistance required for both Knysna- and Bitou Local Municipalities following the disastrous fires in June 2017.