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