A health and safety system or programme generally includes the following elements:

For more information contact Tinus Boshoff tinus@labourguide.co.za

Element

Important aspects

SHE policy statement

• Written policy document
• Displayed and signed by the CEO
• Review date

Individual responsibilities

(Appointment letters – set scope of work)

• Responsibilities of employees
• Responsibilities of supervisors and first-line supervisors (Section 8(2)(i) appointees)
• Responsibilities of senior management (Section 16(1) and 16(2) appointees)
• GMR 2(1) – Supervision of machinery
• Assistant to GMR 2(1)
• GMR 4(3) – Shiftsman appointment
• Responsibilities of safety coordinators
• Emergency Controller
• Fire Fighting Co-ordinator
• Fire Fighter
• Fire Team Member
• Fire Fighting Equipment Inspector
• First Aid Co-ordinator
• First Aider
• Incident Investigator
• Stacking Supervisor
• Ladder Inspector
• HCS Co-ordinator
• Ergonomical Survey Officer
• Health and Hygiene Co-ordinator
• Pollution Surveys
• Work Permit Survey Officer
• Air Power Tools Inspector
• Explosive Power Tool Controller
• Explosive Power Tool Operator
• Etc.

Health and safety representatives and committees

• Appointment of representatives (GAR 6 & Section 17 & 18 of OHSA)
• Establishment of health and safety committees (Section 19 & 20 of OHSA)
• Appointment of Health & Safety Committee Members
• Appointment of Chairman Health & Safety Committee
• Monthly meetings

Risk assessment

• Baseline Risk Assessments
• Issue based risk assessment
• Continuous risk assessment

Safe work procedures

• After the critical area activities have been identified, standards must be determined to establish safe work procedures.
• Written procedures or standards needs to be set (SWP’s or SOP’s)

Employee orientation

Safety awareness should include:

• emergency procedures
• first aider and location of first aid stations
• health and safety responsibilities, including those specified by legislation
• reporting of injuries, unsafe conditions and acts
• use of personal protective equipment
• right to refuse hazardous work
• hazards, including those outside own work area
• reasons for each health and safety rule
• each individual’s specific role and responsibilities
• scope of authority (Job descriptions)

Training

Training programmes should be established and maintained to address:

• Knowledge and understanding of the organisations safety programmes, rules and procedures as well as each individual’s specific role and responsibilities.
• Systematic programme of induction and ongoing training for employees and those how may be transferred between divisions, jobs or tasks
• Training in the handling of risks, hazards and dangers, precautions to be taken and procedures to be followed
• Training in hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• Training for all persons who may manage others like employees, contractors and other
• Training of top management in their role and responsibilities
• Training and awareness programmes for contractors, temporally workers and visitors according to the level of risk which they will be exposed to,
• Training in the correct report procedures
• Training in proper incident/ accident investigation
• Training in the effective monitoring of the quality of the health and safety programme

Workplace inspections

Regular inspections by:

• Health and Safety Representative
• Supervisors
• Where prescribed by regulations

Inspect the workplace to identify hazards related to:

• Regular, planned workplace inspections
• Equipment inspections
• Special inspections

Inspection lists – useful tools

Certifications

By Approved Inspection Authority:

• Ventilation surveys
• Light surveys
• Dust surveys
• Noise surveys
• Lifting equipment
• Pressure vessels
• etc

Medicals (pre-medicals, baseline, periodic and exit medicals)

Where prescribed by a regulation:

Noise; heat; dust; chemical exposure; asbestos; lead etc

Reporting, recording and investigating accidents

Reporting to PD:

• Section 24 – Reportable incidents (WC.I 2)
• Section 25 – Occupational deceases (WC.l1)

Recording and investigations:

• GAR 8 & 9
• Annexure 1

Emergency procedures

Fire precautions and procedures are adequate:

• Building construction
• Access and egress
• Emergency exits
• Emergency lighting
• Fire fighting appliances (sufficient, appropriate and maintained)
• Fire drills and alarm checks
• Storage of flammable/combustible materials (gas cylinders, fuel oils, wood and paper waste)
• Identification of fire / explosion risk areas and instructions for isolating power, fuel, gas etc.
• Evacuation procedures and responsibility for roll calls
• Employee training in procedures and general fire safety practices.

Other emergencies, similar procedures to those for accidents and fire are required for emergencies, to cover such events as:

• Gas leaks
• Explosions
• Pressure vessel rupture
• Building collapse
• Chemical leaks and spillage
• Bomb threats

First aid

• Training of first aiders
• Provision of first aid boxes
• Inspection & control of first aid boxes

Safety culture

Situational aspects:

• Observed through the organisation’s management systems, policies, working procedures, communication flow, etc. and should be measured by audits of safety management systems.

Behavioural aspects:

• How people act in the workplace and can be measured through self-reported measures, outcome measures and peer observations

The psychological component:

• Relates to people’s norms, values, attitudes and perceptions of safety in the workplace
• The psychological components are commonly measured in the form of a safety climate survey

Contractor management

• 37(2) Contractors agreements
• COID registration (letter of good standing)
• Medical certificates
• Employee certifications and qualifications (competence)
• Machinery and equipment checks and certifications
• Risk assessments for activities

Other elements

• Handling of Hazardous Chemical Substances(Material Safety Data Sheets)
• Handling of Hazardous Biological Agents
• Lock out procedures
• Hot work permits
• Material handling rules
• Maintenance programs
• Vehicle safety rules
• Personal protective equipment requirements
• Engineering standards
• Purchasing standards
• Preventive maintenance

Health and safety audits

• Internal audits
• External audits