NERSA

Covid-19

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Introduction

On 14 May 2020 the Energy Regulator approved the NERSA COVID-19 Business Continuity Response Plan. This Response Plan provides high-level guidelines on the continuation of NERSA’s operations during the five coronavirus alert levels, based on the relevant restrictions stated for each level.

 

A compliance report, which is updated with the latest issues from published Regulations, was developed that reflects the full compliance universe of Government regulations and COVID-19 requirements as applicable to NERSA.

 

Furthermore, three implementation guides consisting of all guidelines, measures, procedures, processes and templates were developed by members of the NERSA COVID-19 Response Committee to ensure that the protocols in the NERSA COVID-19 Business Continuity Response Plan are implemented. The three guides address the following broad categories: Health and Safety; Security and Operations.

 

The implementation of the protocols and procedures in these three Implementation Guides forms the basis for a decision to allow staff to resume their work at Kulawula House. These are in line with all the relevant Regulations, Directives and Guidelines issued by Government relating building readiness, protection of the staff and access control. The implementation of the protocols and procedures in the Implementation Guide 3: Operations further aims to ensure that working from home can be done effectively. In this regard, NERSA’s work-from-home protocol consists of measures to ensure that all the required enablers to facilitate working from home effectively as well as the effective management of work done from home, are in place.

 

In terms of Regulations 999, “All persons who are able to work from home must do so. However, persons will be permitted to perform any type of work outside the home, and to travel to and from work and for work purposes, subject to:
 Strict adherence with health protocols and social distancing measures;

  • The return to work being phased-in in order to put in place measures to make the workplace COVID-19 ready;
  • The return to work being done in a manner that avoids and reduces the risk of infection.”

Nominated NERSA staff has access to Kulawula House for a specific task on a specific day or days and only if that work cannot be done remotely. NERSA employees will only be granted access if they have a permit signed by the duly authorised person.

 

All regulatory meetings and public consultation meetings are being streamed live for stakeholders and the public to follow the proceedings via Twitter.

 

NERSA is using the MS Teams platform for online meetings. Any meeting can be arranged on this platform, whether it is internal with staff or external with stakeholders.

CONTROL OF ACCESS INTO NERSA BUILDING

There is social distancing signage on the external ramp to main entrance, on the floors in the reception, ablution areas, lifts, and lift lobbies as well as in the work areas and meeting rooms. The social distancing signage should be observed and complied with at all times.

 

Access control will be applied in terms of the NERSA Security Policy, Security Manual and Control of Access to Public Premises and Vehicle Act, 1985 (Act No. 53 of 1985). The Act stipulates the manner in which public premises and vehicles should be safeguarded, as well as the protection of people therein.

 

  • All service providers, suppliers and visitors shall be required to complete the visitors’ Access Control Register.
  • All persons (NERSA employees, service providers, suppliers and visitors) will have to complete a NERSA screening form.
  • No children will be allowed access into the building.
  • A strict policy of “no permit, no entry and no mask, no entry” will be applied.

 

All NERSA employees, contractors and visitors entering Kulawula House will be screened each time they enter the building and the outcome of the screening will be documented daily.

 

In line with the OHSA, No. 85 of 1993, Section 8 read in conjunction with the Implementation Guide 1: Health and Safety; NERSA must comply with a prescribed process when staff access Kulawula House for the first time, after a national disaster. When permission has been granted to access Kulawula House, the following will be done as part of induction for all NERSA employees, Contractors and Visitors:

 

  • Screening, which includes the individual’s temperature being scanned, the completion of documents for access control and contact tracing purposes;
  • Video Clip (8 minutes) on the correct use of PPEs and sanitizer as well as specific behaviour required while inside the building; and
  • Pamphlets / Brochures.
NB: In view of the compulsory process as describe above, please arrive 30 minutes earlier than your scheduled starting time or meeting, to allow for a smooth and complete induction process.

The induction and awareness programme will be delivered by the Health and Safety Representatives on arrival. The Induction and Awareness training program contains practical instructions on use of Personal Protective Equipment and guidelines on new required behaviour in the workplace.

 

No visitors and service providers will be allowed access to Kulawula House, further than reception. This will exclude services providers that need to do mission critical work such as maintenance of the lifts, HVAC, etc. and they must be in possession of a valid permit arranged for by a NERSA staff member.

 

NERSA has developed contact tracing protocols to provide guidelines for tracing all employees, service providers and visitors that have entered the NERSA building and came into close contact with any person who is suspected or confirmed to be infected with the Covid-19 Virus.

 

It is important to note that Kulawula House will only be open between 08:00 and 15:00 daily from Mondays to Fridays for staff due to the COVID-19 cleaning protocol. In line with this protocol, the building must be cleaned and disinfected before staff may enter as well as after they have left Kulawula House. However, NERSA staff can be reached via email at all times.