As a recognised leading manufacturer of plastic pipes and fittings, DPI Plastics has been OHSAS 18001 certified by DEKRA, a leading global provider of auditing and certification services, specialising in the fields of safety, environment and health.

“ During our last surveillance audit held on 2 June 2016, we had only one minor non-conformance, which emanated from the previous

audit. This was closed immediately during the audit, and certified as such on the same day,” Khanyiso Sihawu, safety officer at DPI Plastics’ Roodekop, Johannesburg manufacturing facility comments. All new employees undergo safety training during their induction.“ It is also very important that visitors to our manufacturing facilities familiarise themselves with our safety procedures,” Sihawu adds.

Relevant legislation

All departments hold Safety Toolbox Talks on a weekly basis as part of the safety drive at the manufacturer.“ This initiative helps us educate employees on various safety issues, especially the relevant legislation. We have also introduced specific workplace challenge initiatives.”

DPI Plastics has introduced a system of near miss / safety observation reporting, which involved training all employees on the correct procedure to report unsafe workplace conditions or actions.“ Our near-miss reporting card system serves as a means to encourage workers to report any deviations from safety best practice,” Sihawu explains.

Khanyiso Sihawu

Other safety-related initiatives include the introduction of reverse parking as mandatory at Roodekop. The manufacturer has also introduced a 5S system

as means of improving safety in the warehouse environment. This system encourages proper housekeeping, which Sihawu stresses is the basis of an effective safety strategy, including the factory.

Clinic

“ At DPI Plastics, management takes the lead when it comes to safety, in order to stress that this is not only the responsibility of employees,” Sihawu elaborates.

DPI Plastics has a daily on-site clinic, as well as providing yearly flu vaccinations for all employees.“ Safety is an ongoing priority, as evidenced by the fact that safety meetings are held on a monthly basis as a means of continuous communication about safety issues,” Sihawu notes