HPA Publishes Health Safety Regulation for Fibre Work

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) published health safety regulations for places that conduct fibre work and announced that non-compliant places will be fined up to MVR 2,000.

The regulation, published in the Gazette today, states that places that do fibre work that is non-compliant with the newly published regulations will be fined no more than MVR 2,000. The regulation will be implemented six months from today.

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The “Regulation on Safety Standards to be Maintained at Places that Do Fibre Work” is published per the Public Health Act to ensure the health and safety of such workspaces are up to the established standard. It also ensures that such workstations do not harm the public, the environment, or the workers employed by such places.

The regulation gives HPA the authority to inspect places that do fibre work as it wishes. If they are obstructed from doing their work, HPA can fine the place for no more than MVR 2,000. The regulation also gives HPA the right to fine fibre work premises for no more than MVR 2,000 if they are not compliant with the regulation and temporarily close them until further notice. If such a place resumes work before HPA gives its approval, it can also be fined up to MVR 2,000.

Measures to be Followed as per New Regulations

• Obtain a permit from HPA to conduct fibre work.
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff.
• Carry out safety training for new employees.
• Conduct a “refresher” training program on workplace safety at least once a year for existing employees.
• Appropriate ventilation systems have to be installed in places where fibre work is done.
• Separate areas designated for cleaning, changing, and storage of fibre and chemicals used must be established on the premises.
• Appropriate systems to extinguish fires should be available on the premises. 
• Staff should be trained in fire safety.
• First aid kits should be available on the premises.

Additionally, the regulation requires visible signs indicating that this is an area where fibre work is done. Signs should show that smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited on the premises. Signs should also indicate that the place is not safe for children or pregnant women, and emergency contact numbers should be visible. Fire exits should be clearly identified, and signs should show that people without permits cannot enter the premises where fibre work is done.