Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone is committed to operate responsibly and supports long-term sustainability through adoption of international best practices with regards to Health and Safety and Environmental Management. The company considers the management of its environmental, social and economic risks and opportunities as being fundamental to its future success. This commitment is reinforced in the company’s integrated SHEQ Policy.
Our Environment
The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone takes into cognisance the environmental constraints present in each of its developmental zones. The RBIDZ approach to development is conceptualised and implemented around the sustainable development principle, which at its core, is aimed at achieving an appropriate synthesis and balance between economic development, environmental enhancement and social upliftment.
Through sustained partnership with the City of uMhlathuze, the RBIDZ has access to valuable environmental information about its area of operation. Such information include :
- Municipal Integrated Environmental Programme
- Environmental Management Framework for the Port and Industrial Development Zone
- uMhlathuze Climate Change Strategy
- uMhlathuze Air Quality Buffer Zones
- Coastal Management
- uMhlathuze Environmental Services Management Plan and Nature Reserves
- Environmental GIS data
The RBIDZ has commissioned the Strategic Land Evaluation investigation with an aim of getting a clear picture of the environmental constraints associated with each development area. This investigation will also identify development types and environmental controls associated with a specific development area. This will assist the RBIDZ to make quick and informed decision with regards to placement of investors within the RBIDZ.
In line with the IDZ Programme Regulations, the RBIDZ company and its enterprises shall comply with all environmental legislative requirements. To this end, Phase 1A and 1B of the five developmental phases received the environmental authorisation in terms of the Environment Conservation Act. The Environmental Management Plan is in place for all the developmental phases. Each IDZ enterprise is expected to conduct project specific environmental impact assessment where applicable whilst as a minimum all enterprises shall have the environmental management plan.
The RBIDZ SHE Guidelines have been developed to assist the enterprises to better manage their impacts on the environment during and post construction phases. Each enterprise is assisted to implement and monitor amongst others, the following initiatives:
- Waste and effluent Management
- Resource ( Water and Energy) Conservation
- Biodiversity and Land Management
- Air Quality Management
- Aesthetics and Noise Management
- Environmental Compliance.
The RBIDZ is working towards being ISO 14001 certified.
Health and Safety
Health and Safety of everyone involved in the RBIDZ development and projects remains the priority of the company. The Zero Harm and Injury Free environment shall be promoted within the IDZ and its all operations and enterprises.
The RBIDZ will work with its enterprises to put programmes in place related to behaviour based safety, visible felt leadership, hazard identification and risk assessments, internal audits, management reviews and third party audits. Golden rules, standard procedures and safety training will be key components of the safety improvement drive.
Senior employees in all IDZ enterprises will be expected to ensure compliance with health and safety laws and remain responsible for taking steps considered to be practical to mitigate any potential hazards.
Benchmarking will be used to measure standards against leading best practice. Relevant information and experience will be shared across all enterprises within RBIDZ. The SHE committee meetings will also be used as one of the vehicles to promote the implementation of leading practices and shared learning. In addition, inter-enterprises site visits will be encouraged as an integral part of the shared learning process whereby management teams have the opportunity to gain first hand information on SHE practices and access to innovative ideas.
The RBIDZ is working towards OHSAS 18001 certification.