FEATURES - HEALTH AND SAFETY
Health and safety inspectors and what they do
No system can work without checks and balances . When it comes to health and safety , one of those checks and balances is health and safety inspectors . We look at what inspectors do , the training they require and what their responsibilities are .
By Kelly-Ann Prinsloo
The Occupational Health and Safety Act gives workers the right to a healthy and safe work environment . It tells management to set up safety representatives and safety committees in the workplace . It also regulates things like toilets , change rooms , first aid , drinking water , washing facilities , protective clothing , machinery , stacking and packing , ladders , fire , ventilation , lighting , temperature , noise and asbestos .
The Occupational Health and Safety Act sets out workers ' rights , including :
• The right to information - for example , the health and safety hazards in the workplace and the health and safety rules and procedures .
• The right to participate in inspections .
• The right to comment on legislation and make representations .
• The right not to be victimised - for example , the worker cannot be dismissed because they participated in a workplace inspection or reported an accident .
The act also sets out the responsibilities of workers and employers .
THE WORKER ' S DUTIES
The worker must :
• Take care of their own health and safety ;
• Prevent harm to other people ;
• Cooperate with the employer around improving health and safety ;
• Give information to a labour inspector ;
• Wear safety clothing or use safety equipment where it is required ;
• Report unsafe or unhealthy conditions to the employer or health and safety representative as soon as possible ;
• Report an accident to the employer and the health and safety representative as soon as possible ; and
• Not to interfere with safety equipment .
An important part of keeping workers safe is the role of the labour inspector . Image : Pixabay
THE EMPLOYER ' S DUTIES
The employer must make sure that the workplace is safe and healthy and must not allow any worker to do work which is potentially dangerous .
INFORMATION AND TRAINING ABOUT DANGERS
Employers must :
• Inform workers of any dangers in the workplace .
• Ensure that there are warnings and notices on dangerous machinery .
• Train workers on how to use dangerous machinery or substances safely .
42 APRIL / MAY 2017 //