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INTRODUCTION TO OHS

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INTRODUCTION TO OHS

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  1. INTRODUCTIONThe modern office environment presents an array of potential hazardsthat can be avoided by taking simple precautions.Although working in an office has always been considered relatively safe,office workers face occupational hazards that include: eye strain, overusesyndrome, headaches, discomfort, trips and falls and manual handlinginjuries.

  2. SAFETY AT WORK: EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITYOccupational health and safety remains the responsibility not only of the Department's inspectors, but that of workers and employers as well.The Occupational Health and Safety Act (No. 85 of 1993 ) aims to provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the activities of persons at work and to establish an advisory council for occupational health and safety.MAIN FEATURES OF THE ACT- Regulating health & hygiene in addition to safety- The Employers duty to provide information & training of employees- Election of H&S representatives & committees- The Employers duty to prevent an accident in addition to taking corrective steps after an accident- Requirement of a formalized risk assessment programme

  3. BASIC GUIDE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY DUTIES OF EMPLOYEESWorkers must report health and safety incidents to their employer, a health and safety representative, or a health and safety inspector.BASIC GUIDE TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY DUTIES OF EMPLOYERSEmployers and the self-employed must make every effort to ensure the health and safety of the workplace. EMPLOYER’S DUTIESAll Employers Must –* Provide And Maintain A Safe, Healthy Working Environment* Ensure Workers’ Health And Safety By Providing * Information* Instructions * Training & SupervisionREPORTING INCIDENTS Before the end of a shift (or as soon as possible afterwards), workers must report to their employer, a health and safety representative or an inspector, incidents in which -* People are killed, injured, or become ill,* Dangerous substances are released, or* Machinery fails or runs out of control.Based on Legislation in Section 14, of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

  4. BASIC GUIDE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVESWhen to Appoint Representatives* Employers who employ 20 or more workers must appoint health and safety representatives.How Many to Appoint* Workplaces must have at least 1 representative for every 50 workers or part thereof.* However, an inspector may order an employer to appoint more.Who to Appoint* Representatives must be full-time workers who are familiar with the workplace.Training* Representatives must be trained during working hours.Representatives Duties* Monitor, investigate and report on health and safety matters;* Accompany inspectors during inspections; and* Attend health and safety committee meetings.Based on Legislation in Section 18, of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

  5. BASIC GUIDE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEESWhen to Form a CommitteeHealth and Safety committees must be formed when –* Employers have appointed 2 or more health and safety representatives; or* Inspectors instruct employers to do so.Employer’s Duties* Decide on the number of health and safety committee members;* Appoint committee members;* Attend every committee meeting; and* Ensure that committees meet at least once every 3 months.Health and Safety Committee’s Duties* Make and keep records of recommendations to employers and inspectors; and* Discuss, report and keep records of incidents in which someone is killed, injured, or becomes ill.Where 2 or more H&S reps have been appointed, a Health & Safety committee must be established consisting of:-Chairman-H&S Reps- H&S Committee Members (Management & Employees)Based on Legislation inSection 20, of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

  6. FIRST AID AT WORKAs in any situation, people at work can be injured on the job or take ill suddenly, so it's important that you have an action plan for your employees to receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.Whether the injury or the illness is caused by the work they do or not, the person must receive immediate attention and an ambulance should be called in serious cases.WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?According to conditions set out in the General Safety Regulations to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993), an employer must take "all reasonable steps" to ensure that employees (and even people visiting the premises) receive prompt First Aid treatmentin the case of injury or emergency. This includes the training of employees in first aid skills by a recognised training institution. THE ACT REQUIRES THAT: In order for your company to pass a Department of Labour audit, 5% of the workforce on duty at any given time must be trained in First Aid by a company that is registered with the Department .Teams of at least four employees must practice to work together and share the responsibility. That goes for first aid and fire-fighting, which is also an occupational safety requirement .First aid boxes must be provided on site, where people work away from the factory and where deliveries are made. A trained, responsible person must always have the necessary equipment at hand to be able to render an effective first aid service .First aid equipment and facilities must be clearly marked by signs as prescribed by law, so anyone who is unfamiliar with the business premises can easily find the first aid equipment. This includes fire extinguishers. You should also have a formal first aid register kept close to the first aid box, so your first aider can make a note of incidents where first aid had to be provided. A name list of the certified first aider(s) could also be kept in or near the first aid box

  7. General Safety Regulations, 1986 Government Notice. R: 1031 First Aid, Emergency Equipment And Procedures3. (1) An employer shall take all reasonable steps that are necessary under the circumstances, to ensure that persons at work receive prompt first aid treatment in case of injury or emergency.(2) Where more than five employees are employed at a workplace, the employer of such employees shall provide a first aid box or boxes at or near the workplace which shall be available and accessible for the treatment of injured persons at that workplace.(3) (a) Taking into account the type of injuries that are likely to occur at a workplace, the nature of the activities performed and the number of employees employed at such workplace, the employer shall make sure that the first aid box or boxes contemplated in sub-regulation (2) contain suitable first aid equipment which include at least the equipment listed in the Annexure hereto.(b) Such an employer shall make sure that only articles and equipment contemplated in subregulation (a) or other similar equipment or medicine is kept in the first aid box or boxes.(4) Where more than 10 employees are employed at a workplace, the employer of such employees shall take steps to ensure that for every group of up to 50 employees at that workplace, or in the case of a shop or an office as contemplated in the Basic Conditions of employment Act, 1983 (Act No. 3 of 1983), for every group of up to 100 employees, at least one person is readily available during normal working hours, who is in possession of a valid certificate of competency in first aid, issued by -(a) the SA Red Cross Society;(b) the St. John Ambulance;(c) the SA First Aid League; or(d) a person or organisation approved by the chief inspector for this purpose.

  8. General Safety Regulations, 1986 Government Notice. R: 1031 First Aid, Emergency Equipment And Procedures(5) An employer shall at a workplace where a high risk substance or toxic, corrosive or similar hazardous substances are used, handled, processed or manufactured, ensure that the first aid worker contemplated in subregulation (4) is trained in the first aid procedures that are necessary for the treatment of injuries that may result from such activities, including the acute detrimental effects of exposure to such substances, and in the emergency procedures which are necessary in the case of accidental leakage or dumping of such substances.(6) An employer shall affix a prominent notice or sign in a conspicuous place at a workplace, indicating where the first aid box or boxes are kept as well as the name of the person in charge of such first aid box or boxes.(7) An employee with an open wound, cut, sore or any similar injury, who works in a workplace where a substance contemplated in subregulation 5 is used, handled, processed or manufactured, shall report such injury to his employer forthwith. The employer may not permit such employee to continue working before the injury has been cleaned with soap and water or with a diluted disinfectant.(8) Where an employee is exposed or can be exposed to a potential hazard of injury to the eye through contact with a biological or chemical substance, the employer concerned shall make sure that there is an eyewash fountain or any similar facilities, in the immediate vicinity of the workplace of such employee and that the employee is trained in the use thereof.(9) Where an employee at a workplace is exposed or can be exposed to a potential hazard of injury to or absorption through the skin as a result of sudden contact with a large amount of toxic, corrosive, high risk or similar hazardous substance, the employer concerned shall make sure that there is a fast-reacting deluge-shower with clean water or a similar facility in the immediate vicinity of the workplace of such employee and that the employee is trained in the use thereof.

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