ASSOCIATIONS 15
From the Executive Director
By
Steve Brown
There is something that has been puzzling me lately , and I ’ ve got to get it off my chest : why aren ’ t IOPSA members taking advantage of the many benefits that are available to them ?
Members have access to all kinds of training from installer training through to first aid – FOR FREE ! However , we aren ’ t seeing many members stepping up to make use of those courses and training events .
Why ?
A week before writing this I received a deeply saddening figure . A total of 48 people in the construction industry died in a consecutive three-week period . Thirty-four of these died in the building collapse in George , four died in Ballito , one drowned in a flooded drain and another fell to his death from scaffolding .
These are real people , who have lives and families . They had dreams and plans . They are not just a number on a page . They are not just a statistic . Just 2 % of IOPSA members are registered with the Department of Employment and Labour .
How many deaths and accidents can we prevent through proper training ? How many families could still have their loved ones with them today if we all participated in firefighting training , in first aid and in training for working from heights ?
And IOPSA offers training to members for free . They get access to safety file templates , to information on occupational health and safety as well as access to Chris Coetzee , a health and safety consultant with years of experience from OHSS consulting .
Again , I ask : why ? Is it because someone from your business might miss a day of work ? What if that person is the one who could have saved your life if they had gone to training ? Is learning how to deal with fire and first aid worth less than one day off work ? The answer should be no .
It ’ s not just about helping those around you , or upskilling staff , or growing your business or even ensuring the safety of your workers . The Occupational Health and Safety Act makes it very clear what all businesses must comply with – by law .
© Plumbing Africa
Steve Brown , Executive Director , IOPSA .
“ A total of 48 people in the construction industry died in a consecutive three-week period .”
Are you compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act ? Are you prepared for an accident or fire ? Do you even have a fire extinguisher in your van ? I am sure you ’ d like to say ‘ yes ’ but we both know that the answer is ‘ no ’.
So why are you wasting time worrying about what you might do if something happens that you ’ re not prepared for ? Use your IOPSA membership , get trained , and ensure your staff are trained too . It ’ s FREE .
Let ’ s not take OHS lightly and let ’ s work together to ensure a safer working environment . PA
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September 2024 Volume 30 I Number 7 www . plumbingafrica . co . za