The who where and when of Occupation Health and Safety and the environment in the workplace. Legal Appointments and Committee meetings

1. Legal Appointments
and Committee
Meetings
EMPLOYERS NEED TO DECIDE ON THE NUMBER OF HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
MEMBERS AND THE EMPLOYER MUST CONSULT WITH THE COMMITTEE TO INITIATE,
DEVELOP, PROMOTE, MAINTAIN AND REVIEW MEASURES TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY OF HIS EMPLOYEES AT WORK.

2. Manage your workplace Health and Safety
Have a dedicated
Health and Safety Committee
 Appoint the correct number of
appointees for each role
According to the OHS Act
 The OHS Act and its Regulations
require a number of legal
appointments to be made in
writing.

3. Functions of a health and safety
committee according to the
Occupational Health and Safety
Act 85 (of 1993):
A Health and Safety Committee -
1. May make recommendations to the employer or, where
the recommendations fail to resolve the matter, to an
inspector regarding any matter affecting the health or safety
of persons at the workplace or any section thereof for which
such committee has been established.
2. Shall discuss any incident at the workplace or section
thereof in which or in consequence of which any person was
injured, became ill or died, and may in writing report in the
incident to an inspector and
3. Shall perform such other functions as may be prescribed
4. Shall keep record of each recommendation made to an
employer in terms of subsection (1) (a) and of any report
made to an inspector in terms of subsection (1) and (b)
5. Shall not incur any civil liability by reason of the fact only
that it or he failed to do anything which it or he may or is
required to do in terms of this Act

4. Who to appoint on a Health and Safety
Committee ?
WHO
Only those employees
employed in a full-time
capacity
WHERE
Employees who are acquainted
with conditions and activities at
that workplace or section
thereof
WHEN
In the case of shops and offices
be at least one health and
safety representative for every
100 employees or part thereof
? ? ?

5. Main appointed Health and Safety
Representatives
Health and Safety
Representative
 Compulsory
 The primary
responsibility for
ensuring a safe and
healthy work
environment is placed
on the Chief Executive
Officer or person
deemed to be the Chief
Executive Officer of the
organisation.
First Aider
 Although not
compulsory,
 it is highly advisable
that a suitably
trained first aid
appointment is
made.
 at least 1 first aider
available for every 50
people in a
workplace.
Incident
Investigator
 This can be in
addition to the
health and safety
representative
 to carry out
investigations
Firefighter
 There is no specific
number prescribed
for firefighters
 The number of
firefighters
appointed is
determined by the
risks in your
workplace.

6. The functions of
the Health and Safety Representative
 Review the effectiveness of health and safety measures
 Identify potential hazards and potential major incidents
at the workplace
 In collaboration with his employer, examine the cause of
incidents at the workplace
 Investigate complaints by any employee relating to that
employee’s health or safety at work
 Make representations to the employer or a health and
safety committee on matters arising from paragraphs (a),
(b), © or (d), or where such representations are
unsuccessful, to an inspector
 Make representations to the employer on general
matters affecting the health or safety of the employees
at the workplace
 Inspect the workplace, including any article, substance,
plant, machinery or health and safety equipment at that
workplace with a view to, the health and safety of
employees at such intervals as may be agreed upon with
the employer Participate in consultation with inspectors
at the workplace and accompany inspectors on
inspections in the workplace
 Receive information from inspectors as contemplated
in section 36; and
 In his capacity as a health and safety representative
attend meetings of the health and safety committee
of which he is a member, in connection with any of the
above functions.

7. The functions of the First Aid Representative
 Where more than five employees are employed at a workplace, the employer of such
employees shall provide a first aid box at or near the workplace which shall be available
and accessible for the treatment of injured persons at the workplace
 Apply fist aid treatment according to training to injuries at the workplace
 Make sure that the first aid box or boxes contain suitable first aid equipment which
include at least the equipment listed as prescribed by regulation
 Make representations to the employer on first aid matters affecting the health or safety
of the employees at the workplace
 In his capacity as a health and safety representative attend meetings of the health and
safety committee of which he is a member, in connection with any of the above
functions.

8. The Functions of the Inspector
 The Function of a Health and Safety inspector is to carry out investigations.
 This can be in addition to the health and safety representative, and this person must also be appointed in writing.
 May investigate the circumstances of any incident which has occurred at or originated from a workplace or in connection with
use of plant or machinery which has resulted, or in the opinion of the inspector has resulted, in the injury, illness or death of any
person in order to determine whether it is necessary to hold a formal investigation in terms of section 32.
 After completing the investigation in terms of subsection (1) the inspector shall submit a written report thereon, together with
all the relevant statements, documents and information gathered by him, to the attorney-general within whose area of
jurisdiction such incident occurred and he shall at the same time submit a copy of the report, statements and documents to the
chief inspector.
 Upon receipt of a report referred to in subsection (2), the attorney- general shall deal therewith in accordance with the provisions
of the Inquests Act, 1959 (Act No. 58 of 1959), or the Criminal Procedure Act, 1997 (Act No. 51 of 1977), as the case may be.
 In his capacity as a health and safety representative attend meetings of the health and safety committee of which he is a
member, in connection with any of the above functions.

9. The Function of a Firefighter
 There is no specific number prescribed for firefighters – The number of
firefighters appointed is determined by the risks in your workplace.
 Apply Fire Fighting principles according to training at the workplace
 Make sure that the Fire fighting equipment which include the equipment
listed as prescribed by regulation.
 May evacuate the premises due to risk and or Fire drill.
 Is responsible for an evacuation plan.
 Make representations to the employer on firefighting matters affecting the
health or safety of the employees at the workplace
 In his capacity as a health and safety representative attend meetings of the
health and safety committee of which he is a member, in connection with
any of the above functions.

10. According to the Environmental Regulations for workplaces:
It needs to be remembered that although there are specific legal appointments that are made, everyone that is
employed by the company carries responsibility in terms of health and safety. There are also basic health and
safety procedures that everyone should be familiar with to ensure that their workplace is healthy and safe.
 Every employer shall ensure that
 any emergency escape door from any room or passage or at a staircase shall, as far as is practicable, be hung
so as to open outwards;
 every exit door, shall be kept clear and capable of being easily and rapidly opened from inside so as to
ensure quick and easy evacuation;
 in respect of the outer escape exit from the workplace;
 staircases and steps leading from one floor to another or to the ground shall be provided with
substantial hand-rails;
 Staircases intended to be used as fire escapes shall -
 be constructed of non-combustible material;
 be kept clear of any material or other obstruction; and
 not terminate in an enclosed area;

11. According to the
Environmental Regulations
for workplaces: (Continued)
 Staircases, passages and exits intended for escape purposes
shall be of a width and of a gradient which will facilitate the
quick and safe egress of the number of persons intended to
make use of them; and
 Having regard to the size, construction and location of a
workplace, the number of persons, and the activity therein, such
workplace is provided with at least two means of egress
situated as far apart as is practicable.
 Having regard to the size, construction and location of the
workplace, and the amount and type of flammable articles uses,
handled or stored on the premises, an employer shall provide
on the premises an adequate supply of suitable fire-fighting
equipment at strategic locations or as may be recommended
by the fire chief of the local authority concerned, and such
equipment shall be maintained in good working order

12. We believe in making sure your loved ones return home
healthy and safe after work
Our Vision
We believe in making sure your
loved ones return home healthy
and safe after work, by
understanding your specific
needs and tailoring a
comprehensive Health and
Safety solution, backed by
qualified professionals providing
legal compliance, training, and
management of incidents in the
workplace.
Our Mission
Achieving significant growth by
developing and continuously
improving our capabilities and
delivering professional value-
added services and solutions to
clients through sustainable
relationships and departmental
goals.
Our Core Values
Trust
Our clients do business with us because they trust us to
implement safety programmes that assist and guide them
with information, systems, and procedures to ensure the
companies’ greatest asset, their employees, return home
safe after work.
Care
We care deeply about the health and safety of your loved
ones. We believe in making sure your loved ones return
home safe after work by implementing and maintaining
health and safety programmes in the workplace that ensure
we look after and provide for your health and safety needs.
Passion
Our passion leads us to our purpose. We believe in making
sure your loved ones return home healthy and safe after
work.