ASSOCIATIONS 3
From the Executive Director
By
Steve Brown
How well do you know occupational health and safety ?
If I bang on about compliance and health and safety , it ’ s for a reason . We are a group of professionals , who should be taking pride in our work , our businesses and how we conduct ourselves on the job . But here ’ s the thing : not everyone is up to standard when it comes to health and safety .
If the mere mention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act makes you feel nervous and uncomfortable , then you definitely need to wrap your head around what ’ s required by law .
And when I say what ’ s required by law , I mean that if you don ’ t do those things as stipulated in the Act you could be criminally liable . This means a fine up to a maximum of R50 000 or a 12 month prison sentence . Being up to par as far as health and safety is concerned is one of things you have to take seriously . If something goes wrong and you ’ re facing criminal charges – that ’ s it . Tickets .
IOPSA is well placed to help plumbers to close that knowledge gap and assist with whatever questions a member has about compliance and the law . We offer courses that can elevate your understanding and growth – and keep you out of trouble , because let ’ s face it , most of you got nervous and uncomfortable when I started talking Occupational Health and Safety Act .
© Plumbing Africa
Steve Brown , Executive Director , IOPSA .
IOPSA members have access to the PRIME course , which they can do at their own pace , and which is prepared and taught by Chris Coetzee from OHSS Consulting . This course is worth R15 000 per person , but IOPSA members get to do this for free . For FREE !
You might say , there goes Steve again with the courses at IOPSA . I will go on again – and again – because as a plumber your focus should be valuing your profession and your growth in it . Not just that , you need to get yourself on the bandwagon of compliance and health and safety . So yes , this is Steve going on again because your growth is important to me and it should be important for you , too . PA
“ I mean that if you don ’ t do those things , as stipulated in the Act , you could be criminally liable .”
October 2024 Volume 30 I Number 8 www . plumbingafrica . co . za