We take a look at case studies supplied by the Federated Employers ’ Mutual Assurance Company , which highlight how vitally important health and safety regulations are in the timber industry .
FEATURES - HEALTH AND SAFETY
A study in safety
We take a look at case studies supplied by the Federated Employers ’ Mutual Assurance Company , which highlight how vitally important health and safety regulations are in the timber industry .
By the Federated Employers ’ Mutual Assurance Company
Health and safety is vitally important in any industry , especially those that make use of dangerous equipment or where work takes place off the ground - on a roof , for instance .
The case study below , supplied by the Federated Employers ’ Mutual Assurance Company ( FEM ), details just how badly workers can be hurt , and how large costs can be incurred , when simple safety measures are flouted .
THE CASE STUDY
A 21-year-old worker fell through a weakened roof sheet and was impaled on an iron pole that penetrated his chest . Injuries included ruptured kidneys , ruptured spleen and pancreas and numerous fractures . The employee spent 37 days on life support before dying of sepsis . He was survived by a young wife and 2-year-old child .
Costs incurred include :
• Hospital costs – R456 985 »» Includes ICU ( R9 217 per day ) and An X-ray of the victim . Image : FEM major theatre ( R118 per minute )
• Medical costs – R392 327
• Pension to dependants – R238 649
• Sundries – R12 414 The total cost of the claim was R1 100 375 .
What went wrong in this worker ’ s tragic case ? According to FEM , several factors contributed to this incident :
• Not working to Construction Regulations No . 8 ( 2 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) regarding fall protection
• No risk assessment
• No fall protection plan
• No duckboards
• No fall protection harness attached to life lines
Prevention costs , in this case , would have been minimal compared to the cost incurred by the accident . Duckboards run from R5 000 to R8 000 and a lifeline and harness costs about R6 000 .
THE ACT
The Occupational Health and Safety ( OHS ) Act , 1993 , states that employers must provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and machinery ; the protection of persons other than persons at work against hazards to health and safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work ; establish an advisory council for occupational health and safety ; and provide for matters connected therewith .
GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS
Every employer shall provide and maintain , as far as is reasonably practicable , a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of his employees .
All employers must comply with the OHS act , and must attend to :
• Administration and legal duties
• Agreement with mandators
• Education and training
• Public safety , security measures and emergency preparedness
• Personal protective equipment ( PPE )
• Housekeeping
• Scaffolding , support work and form work
• Workplace environment
GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES
Employers alone are not responsible for the health and safety of workers ; employees themselves have a duty to do what they can to keep themselves and their fellow workers safe .
Employees should :
• Participate in health and safety efforts
• Look after themselves and their fellow workers
• Know that zero injuries is achievable
• Be motivated and involved
As the health and safety culture in the construction industry develops and matures , employers and employees within that industry will realise that maintaining strict health and safety standards should not be done simply because it is mandated by the government . Working safely will pay employers and employees back through the continued enjoyment of their health and the important people and things in their lives . It will ensure that no worker in South Africa is ‘ dying for a job ’.
* We will continue with this topic in the next edition of SA Affordable Housing where we will look at safely transporting workers .
16
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2016
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING