<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Qualitas Occupational Consulting]]></title><description><![CDATA[
QUALITAS provides expert Occupational Hygiene services, ensuring compliance with OHSA & MHSA. Accredited (OH0253 - CI 072)]]></description><link>https://www.qualitasoc.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:21:18 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.qualitasoc.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Cold rooms and freezers: cold stress rules for employers]]></title><description><![CDATA[Cold rooms and freezers fall under regulation 9 of the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024. Here is the 10 °C equivalent chill temperature limit, the Table 8 exposure periods, the minimum controls and how cold stress must be monitored.]]></description><link>https://www.qualitasoc.com/post/cold-stress-cold-rooms-freezers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf696f68a69eb29f622583</guid><category><![CDATA[Physical agents]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:21:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9f7e6_c1a836995ba44fe7aafba53971d62ae4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Christo de Wet</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How is heat stress measured, and when is a survey required?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Heat stress now falls under the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024. Here is how it is measured, what the 27 °C WBGT action level and 30 °C limit mean, how clothing changes the result, and when a survey is required.]]></description><link>https://www.qualitasoc.com/post/heat-stress-survey-requirements</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf692a7333c9a7b0d1a736</guid><category><![CDATA[Physical agents]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:19:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9f7e6_ac1771f76dd4458ba282daebafb21013~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Christo de Wet</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ototoxic chemicals: why noise plus solvents lowers the limit]]></title><description><![CDATA[Where employees are exposed to ototoxic chemicals, such as some solvents, as well as noise, the Noise Exposure Regulations, 2024 apply 82 dBA instead of 85 dBA. Here is what counts as ototoxic, what changes at 82 dBA and how to assess both exposures together.]]></description><link>https://www.qualitasoc.com/post/ototoxic-chemicals-noise</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf691c7333c9a7b0d1a71b</guid><category><![CDATA[Noise]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:19:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9f7e6_3bcda12b322144d4a29cf161cf0c5486~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_580,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Christo de Wet</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How often must noise-exposed workers have hearing tests?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Under the Code of Practice for Audiometry, noise-exposed workers need a hearing test every 12 months, or every 6 months at or above 105 dBA or 135 dBC, plus baseline and exit tests. Here is the full schedule, who may test and what a threshold shift triggers.]]></description><link>https://www.qualitasoc.com/post/how-often-are-hearing-tests-required</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf68e268a69eb29f6224a5</guid><category><![CDATA[Noise]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:18:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9f7e6_62ede2f2d28f4b3986e0cd0deb88ece6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Christo de Wet</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What do the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024 require?]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Environmental Regulations for Workplaces fell away on 6 September 2026. Here is what the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024 require for heat, cold, lighting, indoor air quality, vibration and radiation, including the Table 1 limits and who may do the monitoring.]]></description><link>https://www.qualitasoc.com/post/physical-agents-regulations-2024</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf68cdee2d3d336950d6cd</guid><category><![CDATA[Physical agents]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:18:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9f7e6_5ef70b1c9c424abea13c3756af80869e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Christo de Wet</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How often must a noise survey be done in South Africa?]]></title><description><![CDATA[The NIHL Regulations fell away on 6 September 2026. Here is how often the Noise Exposure Regulations, 2024 require noise risk assessments, monitoring and hearing tests.]]></description><link>https://www.qualitasoc.com/post/how-often-must-a-noise-survey-be-done</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abf490bee2d3d3369509f69</guid><category><![CDATA[Noise]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:04:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9f7e6_acad207b474a4a06a71970a871062582~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Christo de Wet</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>