Health and safety inspectors may enter any workplace, accompanied by anyone who can assist them, to get any type of evidence.
FEATURES- HEALTH AND SAFETY
REDUCING DANGERS IN THE WORKPLACE
Employers must:
• Ensure that equipment is properly maintained.
• Provide protective clothing and equipment where necessary.
• Reduce any dangers to a minimum before issuing protective clothing.
• Make sure that a supervisor oversees operations and enforces safety requirements.
• Set out precautionary measures to prevent dangers.
HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES
Employers must:
• Choose safety representatives( one for every 20 workers).
• Explain the responsibilities of safety representatives.
• Create a safety committee if there are more than three safety representatives. This committee must meet at least every three months and deal with all safety and health issues that affect workers.
PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH ACCIDENTS
Employers must: Make sure that workers can escape from danger if necessary.
REPORTING ACCIDENTS OR INCIDENTS
Employers must:
• Keep a report of all accidents and safety or health incidents in the workplace.
• Report certain types of accident or incident to the safety representative and to the Department of Labour.
The following workplace accidents must be reported within seven days including:
• Any injury that gives rise to medical expenses.
• Any injury that results in the worker being absent from work for more than three days.
It is a crime not to report these kinds of accidents.
Health and safety inspectors may enter any workplace, accompanied by anyone who can assist them, to get any type of evidence.
LABOUR INSPECTORS
Labour inspectors are charged with ensuring that employers and workers perform their duties. Labour inspectors can visit the workplace and ask questions to find out if the environment is safe and healthy.
If the employer has not met their responsibilities, the inspector can issue a fine.
If a worker is hurt at work because of the employer not following a safety regulation, the employer can be fined up to R100 000 and / or imprisoned for two years.
Health and safety inspectors may enter any workplace, accompanied by anyone who can assist them, to get any type of evidence. They may also block off unsafe workplace areas.
INSPECTORS ' RIGHTS
Inspectors may:
• Enter any workplace;
• Question anyone in the workplace;
• Examine and copy documents;
• Inspect and remove any item that is or was on the premises;
• Invite interpreters, members of the SAPS, or others to accompany them; and
• Block off unsafe workplace areas.
* Based on Legislation in Section 29, Section 30, of the Occupational Health and Safety Act
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// APRIL / MAY 2017 43