Electricity and Control July 2022

SAFETY OF PLANT, EQUIPMENT + PEOPLE

Health and safety in the workplace For organisations looking to gain a clearer understanding of their responsibilities and liabilities in terms of employees’ health and safety, LouiseWoodburn, General Manager, and Natalie Pitout, Innovation Manager at KBC Health & Safety, outline the benefits of working with a health and safety training provider. A division ofWorkforce Holdings, KBC provides health and safety training across a number of industrial sectors.

Employees’ responsibility At the same time, employees must take reasonable care for their own health and safety, as well as for the health and safety of others. They need to comply with any reasonable instructions, policies and procedures given by the employer, business or controller of the workplace. This highlights the importance of training, including refresher courses, for employees, to instil and reinforce awareness about workplace hazards, how to control them and how to work safely. Some companies view training as a once-off, tick-box exercise, but this carries the risk of complacency setting in and does not keep pace with continually changing risks in a workplace. Ensuring that health and safety training is an ongoing programme will assist with creating constant awareness, teaching employees to be constantly aware and vigilant and to identify hazards and assess risks on a daily basis. Because South Africa’s OHS Act is underpinned by so many different and non-specific pieces of legislation, many companies do not have the understanding of which laws they are required to comply with. It is also quite common for organisations to misunderstand risk assessment: this is often done superficially and does not identify all existing risks. In turn this affects the quality of policies, procedures and training that are put in place. Outsourced services This is where the services of an outsourced provider can make a difference. A reputable and accredited company can deliver training, assist with risk solutions, provide gap analysis and make recommendations to establish a holistic check system that ensures health and safety compliance. A reputable provider that understands the legislative framework of the OHS Act can help organisations to highlight the key risks within their business and manage their liability. While many companies do not understand the impact of the law, professional training providers can work with them to guide them on their journey to compliance. Even organisations that have a well-established health and safety strategy in place should consider partnering with a training provider that can continually improve policies and procedures, as well as delivering customised programmes to ensure a holistic programme. □

From left: Louise Woodburn and Natalie Pitout, KBC Health & Safety.

W ith regard to occupational health and safety practices, South African companies tend to fall at one or the other end of the spectrum – those that take it very seriously and comply fully with legislation, and those with no protocols or regulations in place and no understanding of their liabilities in terms of non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. There are currently more than 200 pieces of subordinate legislation that support the OHS Act, which regulates health and safety in all organisations, from office environments to more hazardous areas like industrial plants and construction sites. Workplace safety is mainly the responsibility of the employer, who must ensure the health, safety and welfare of their staff. Some worksites come with greater risks than others, but even the safest workplaces need all staff to help manage risks. Non-compliant organisations expose themselves to three key risks. Financial, legal and personnel risks Firstly, they face potential financial implications resulting from insurance claims for injuries sustained at work, as well as from non-compliance-related penalties. The amended OHS Bill, expected to come into effect within the next 18 months, will provide for spot fines of R50 000 being issued for non-compliance. This can have a significant financial impact on companies. Secondly, organisations have a legal obligation to comply with health and safety regulations. Liability rests with the business owner. Ignorance of the law is not an accepted defence in court, so it is up to the company to ensure it has the right information and can demonstrate its compliance with legislation. Thirdly, employers have a moral obligation to protect the wellbeing of their workers, making sure the workplace is safe, and that employees’ health and safety are not put at risk. Companies need to identify and mitigate hazards on a continual basis in order to reduce risk, accidents and injuries.

For more information visit: www.workforce.co.za

26 Electricity + Control JULY 2022