HEALTH AND SANITATION
25
HEALTH AND SANITATION
25
"The entire safe system of work that is
designed to keep you safe needs constant
input from all members of the organisation."
scenario, and who is responsible for what items of safety when on a site, or on a client premises. The
short answer is: Everyone is responsible and liable for health and safety as each person must abide by
the minimum requirements of the law.
So then, why are there always issues that arise after contracts have been signed off? Well, this is where
we will need the long answer.
Contractors:
Since a Contractor is an employer in their own right, the entire Act applies to them as employers and
employees as shown in the previous two articles. What this means is, when a client hires/contracts
another company to perform work on his/her premises, the contractor is responsible for their safety
while on site.
Does this excuse the client? Not at all, the client is also responsible to ensure that the premises, and
any works done on the premises is free of risk to all, including a contractor.
In other words, everyone is responsible to ensure things are handled safely. There are certain aspects
though that must be considered when pointing out who is responsible for the implementation of the
system. Let us use a simple illustration to get the point.
Scenario: A tree falls into the road where you live. The government is responsible to clear it away. But
they do not know about the issue. You are allowed to drive at 60km/h down your road but are now
obstructed. Can you continue to drive at 60km/h as the law says you can? No; you will collide with the
obstacle. Are you responsible to remove the tree, also no. But if you do not alert the authorities, it may
not be removed. And if you do not slow down, you may be injured.
To understand why, we must understand the importance of the law. The purpose of the Occupational
Health and Safety Act is: “To protect workers and others from health and safety hazards on the job.”
This is the essence of the law: to keep us safe. Would you agree with this statement? If so, you would
also agree that everyone involved should take this law seriously and work toward achieving a safe
working environment.
What can you do?
The entire safe system of work that is designed to keep you safe needs constant input from all
members of the organisation, this means that there are things that need to be done to ensure the
effectiveness and adequacy of the system. Remember, this is in an effort to protect you.
Start by identifying what you can do to support the system. Before trying to reinvent the wheel, support
what is in place. From here you can begin to get an overall picture of how the system flows. Ask for
information, read through the risk assessment and other safety documentation to clearly understand
how the system works. This is where you will identify what the process flow of each arm of the system
is, and how they work to keep you safe.
• Next time you prepare to start a job or task, why not stop for a few moments and consider what
the implications of the laws are in your situation, and if you find that you need to work more safely,
get help!
• Reach out to us or other industry professionals to assist you in the compliance you deserve. Stay safe!
• Now that you have a clearer picture. Make recommendations on improvements, starting with
minimising risk in your own work area. Work as a team, thrive as a team, and stay safe in your
workplace.
• The law is simple. Keep yourself and others safe. Use all reasonable and practical measures to do
this. Including taking the initiative.
• Each person in a company is responsible for Occupational Health and Safety within the
organisation. Even though the responsibilities, duties and liability may vary, the law includes
everyone. In the previous three articles we have seen what the roles and responsibilities are of an
employee, an employer and a contractor. But more is now required! Why? PA
March 2020 Volume 26 I Number 01
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
www.plumbingafrica.co.za