https://newsletter.en.creamermedia.com
Health|Industrial|PPE|Equipment|Products
Health|Industrial|PPE|Equipment|Products
health|industrial|ppe|equipment|products

PPE standards drop during pandemic

HIGH STANDARDS Sapema insists that role-players in the PPE sector adhere to SABS and WHO standards

HIGH STANDARDS Sapema insists that role-players in the PPE sector adhere to SABS and WHO standards

23rd October 2020

By: Halima Frost

Senior Writer

     

Font size: - +

The pandemic has brought about a conflict in standards whereby local and imported respirators align with requirements listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), however, these requirements do not align with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), says industry body South African Protective Equipment Marketing Association (Sapema) technical committee leader Mike Freemantle.

“There has been a marked increase in demand for locally made face shields that meet the WHO Covid-19 requirements; however, they do not comply to SABS industrial specifications.”

He adds that, in certain isolated instances, there are shortages of compliant products in respect of certain categories of personal protective equipment (PPE).

He also points out that the number of roleplayers in the PPE industry has increased, particularly those supplying respiratory equipment, with the equipment supplied not always complying with the quality requirements.

“Newer roleplayers, most times, lack the necessary technical knowledge to ensure that PPE products or equipment meet the requirements.”

To mitigate the lack of compliance to SABS standards Sapema has actively participated in communications with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) to implement the compulsory standards.

“Sapema has worked hand in hand with local advisory and government structures with regards to compliance to specifications, as well as industrial and Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government advisory council.

“We have also issued directives and guides to the PPE industry and participated in webinars regarding respiratory PPE in respect of Covid-19 requirements,” Freemantle explains.

Unfortunately, the decline in the general economic climate has resulted in a noticeable decline in demand for PPE.

He warns that, as a result of the ‘new normal’, it is not possible for the industry to estimate the decline of the value of PPE at this point.

Protection Projection

Sapema chairperson Deleane Luzzatto says the association aims to fulfil the role of representing manufacturers and importers of PPE and lobbying on their behalf with the authorities and other bodies, such as the SABS and NRCS.

She stresses that the association’s short-term goals are to educate the industry, as well as end-users in terms of complying to the standards and specifications relevant to PPE and regulations.

“We are working towards becoming a registered professional body with the South African Qualifications Authority. This will, however, be a timely process and be considered as part of our medium- to long-term goals as an association.”

She concludes that the association has seen a significant increase in interest from industry participants in becoming members of Sapema, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Edited by Zandile Mavuso
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

Comments

Showroom

Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East

Weir Minerals Europe, Middle East and Africa is a global supplier of excellent minerals solutions, including pumps, valves, hydrocyclones,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
John Thompson
John Thompson

John Thompson, the leader in energy and environmental solutions through value engineering and innovation, provides the following: design, engineer,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (08/11/2024)
8th November 2024 By: Martin Creamer

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:1.538 1.651s - 311pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now