The nature of the Reunert businesses
is such that they are unlikely to
pose any significant environmental
risk.
A number of interventions, aimed
at improving working conditions,
have been implemented.
CBI-electric: african cables complies
with the ISO 14001 environment management
system. As part of an annual environmental
assessment, objectives and targets
are set and monitored regularly.
The company has a system in place
to reduce, recover and recycle waste
material. In 2008, a full report
on environmental risks and physical
stresses was commissioned at the
company’s Vereeniging factory. The
potential risk areas which were assessed
included exposure to lead, the presence
of hazardous chemical substances,
gas and vapours, possible physical
stress caused by illumination, noise
and heat and the presence of dust
and stack emissions. The report showed
that the exposure to these potential
hazards was generally within acceptable
levels. To the extent that certain
areas or activities did not comply
with acceptable standards, steps
have been taken to eliminate all
potential hazards.
In 2008, CBI-electric: african cables
engaged consultants to do an ergonomics
assessment and a survey evaluation
of equipment design and the layout
of the workplace, with the view to
maximising productivity, reducing
potential injury and eliminating
potential operator fatigue and discomfort.
The assessment included the evaluation
of spaces which may be confined,
conditions that may be too hot or
humid, the handling of heavy materials
and spinal stress, which could be
caused by lack of back support or
vibrations in the workplace. The
report has resulted in the implementation
of a large number of interventions,
which are all aimed at improving
working conditions.
CBI-electric: low voltage has a
comprehensive environmental policy
in place to regulate the receiving
of hazardous material, the storage
and use of hazardous material, the
use of personal protective equipment
and the disposal and control of hazardous
material. In addition, a full-time
occupational health sister is on
site, working in conjunction with
appointed first-aiders. Emergency
showers and material safety data
sheets are available in the clinic
and in all departments handling hazardous
material.
Biological monitoring of employees
who come into contact with hazardous
material is conducted on a regular
basis. An industrial effluent analysis
report is conducted by the Ekurhuleni
Municipality on a monthly basis and
any deficiencies which may be reported
by the municipality, are corrected
immediately.
Telecom Cables has an integrated
risk system that encompasses quality,
environment, health and safety and
all other risk factors. The company
is ISO 9000:2000 listed and has embarked
on a process to list as an ISO 14001
company. All environmental factors
are reviewed by the company on a
regular basis.
Telecom Cables conducts a comprehensive
safety, health and environmental
review every second year. The last
survey extended to potential noise
pollution, illumination, ventilation
and heat stress, dust and volatile
organic compounds. In addition, surveys
were conducted on the potential presence
of copper dust and thinners in certain
areas. The result of the survey showed
that the exposure to hazardous material
was within the relevant occupational
limits and, where minor problems
were identified, these have been
attended to.
During the year Reutech Communications
purchased a unit for the extraction
of colophony fumes generated by soldering
of PC boards in production.
Reutech Fuchs Electronics has a comprehensive
system in place to deal with potential
environmental hazards:
- All chemical wastes and hazardous
materials or metals are disposed
through registered disposal companies
who are required to issue a post-disposal
certificate;
- Fluorescent tubes are disposed
of in a safe manner;
- The pH level of the effluent
plant is monitored three times
daily. In addition, daily monitoring
and monthly inspections are undertaken
by the city council;
- Non-biodegradable materials
are disposed of by registered disposal
companies, which are required to
issue certificates of proper disposal.
The batteries which are distributed
through Pansolutions comply with
global IEC standards and are therefore
mercury- and lead-free. All air-conditioners
distributed by this company are
chlorine-free and use the latest
HFC refrigerant, to avoid depletion
of the ozone layer. The latest
air-conditioners are equipped with
energy-saving performance features,
which reduce electricity consumption
and CO2 emissions.
Office automation products distributed
by Pansolutions have earned an energy
efficiency star rating. The power
usage of broadcast systems has been
reduced and has decreased the cost
of broadcasting.
Nashua Mobile launched a programme
in 2007 to donate R10 to the
environmental Foods and Trees for
Africa programme, with every subscriber
requesting electronic billing rather
than receiving paper-based monthly
statements. In the current financial
year the company’s total contribution
was R286 000 which brings the total
contribution since inception to R458
000. A further initiative is currently
under way which will focus particularly
on the areas around the stadiums
that will be used for the FIFA 2010
football world cup. |
