Safety policies and procedures for administrative controls for South African business and industry
Safety policies and procedures are an ethical requirement, as well as a legal requirement for certain industries.
The aim of instituting safety policies and procedures include:
- Limiting exposure to hazardous areas
- Creating standards for safe practices
- Training of staff, as well as safety personnel in the safe practices
- Signage of hazardous areas, exit points and evacuation procedures
The OHSA covers almost every employee in South Africa, (exceptions being shipping and mining who have their own legislation). Responsibility for safety is placed on the employee as well as the employer, who needs to do everything possible to avoid injury/harm and infection. Health and Safety consultants can be employed to enforce the safety compliance, and need to be certified with understanding and knowledge of the industry and workplace.
Workplace safety compliance needs to be introduced in such as way as to encourage participation, rather than introduce and enforce the safety procedures to improve employee buy-in. Giving a set of rules without understanding decreases compliance from staff and defeat the purpose of the safety legislation. Safety processes are monitored to ensure the steps are carried out correctly.
Safety checklists need to be created for each area of the workplace and is unique to that area. Some points remain consistent e.g the appointment of Health and Safety officers – https://www.labourguide.co.za/health-and-safety/633-the-appointment-of-health-and-safety-representatives-for-the-workplace
Alcoholism in the workplace – https://www.labourguide.co.za/alcoholism-in-the-workplace
South African forestry – http://saforestryonline.co.za/articles/human_resources/working_conditions_of_forestry_workers_in_south_africa/
Labour guide for farm workers – http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/legislation/acts/basic-guides/basic-guides-farm-workers
Labour guide for construction – https://www.labourguide.co.za/health-and-safety/865-construction-work-and-the-responsibilities-of-the-client
Other references include: