H & S
Health&Safety a t
w o r k
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S A
March 2014
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Enhancing Safety Supervision through Communication
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Should PPE always be the “last resort” and is the “one-size-fits-all” approach still relevant?
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Global safety standards for machinery control
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Effective hearing protection prevents irreversible hearing loss ®
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IN THIS ISSUE: ENHANCING SAFETY SUPERVISION THROUGH COMMUNICATION ............................................................................................................. Hope Mugagga Kiwekete
Editor: Melanie Govender Tel: 031 268 3285 Fax: 031 268 3114 E-mail: melanie.govender@lexisnexis.co.za
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Deadline dates for submission: 18 January, 18 March, 15 July, 16 September Designer: Lulu Pillay
SHOULD PPE ALWAYS BE THE “LAST RESORT” AND IS THE “ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL” APPROACH STILL RELEVANT .................................................................................................................................
Publication details: Published quarterly: March, June, September, December
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Isak Marais
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GLOBAL SAFETY STANDARDS FOR MACHINERY CONTROL .................................................................................................................................. Derek Jones and Mike Miller
EFFECTIVE HEARING PROTECTION PREVENTS IRREVERSIBLE HEARING LOSS.................................................................................. Loren Pearson
A REVIEW OF THE CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS, 2014 .............................................................................................................................................
SERVICES DIRECTORY ....................................................................................................
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Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
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CONTENTS
Welcome to the first issue of 2014 of Health & Safety at work in SA
ENHANCING SAFETY
Enhancing Safety Supervision through Communication
Hope Mugagga Kiwekete Transnet Freight Rail
E
nsuring the well-being of personnel in the workplace requires vigorous supervision. At the center of this are supervisors. Supervisors motivate their co-workers to work safely when they lead by example. They are change agents, supportive and mindful of their liaison role between management and co-workers. Despite all this, how do they enhance the way they supervise? In this article, we will deal briefly on communication and the supervisor.
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Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
ENHANCING SAFETY
Ensure Improved Communication For example, in the United Kingdom (UK), Entec UK Ltd prepared a literature review for UK’s Health and Safety Executive. It was titled “Different types of supervision and the impact on safety in the chemical and allied industries”. Interestingly, the review, among others, highlighted communication as part of the success characteristics that are relevant to supervision. It is important that effective supervision is complimented with good communication skills, whether verbal or nonverbal. Supervisors need to inspire their counterparts and hold them accountable for the safety of others. Given that supervisors are at the shop floor, they are the intermediary between management and the personnel. Figure 1 gives a view of how information flows from managers, supervisors and finally the workers. However this role is impacted by how they effectively send information to the bottom. The likelihood of a successful health and safe ty systems/processes in the workplace is high when supervisors’ demonstrate desired communication traits. Hence the communication style should not be authoritarian or even about status. It is not a blame game. Personnel need to feel they are recognised and appreciated for maintaining a health and safety performance of their work environment.
Supervisors are indebted to transfer skills and knowledge in the workplace through training. They remind personnel to be mindful of hazards and risks both within and outside work environment. This might be giving feedback after conducting task observations. Observing personnel performing their tasks safely usually gives assurance on the effectiveness of the safety training provided. It is essential for Supervisors alike to enhance their skills. In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993), section 14, “General duties of employees work”, it states among others that “Every employee shall at work— … carry out any lawful order given to him, and obey health and safety rules and procedures laid down by his employer or by anyone authorised thereto by his employer, in the interest of health or safety”. In this case, supervisors perform the role of gate keepers. They will notify and update the personnel about their duties of work in relation to health and safety.
Conclusion Supervisors are exceptionally positioned to interact and work with different levels of structures in an organisation. However, it is important to acknowledge that supervisors need an environment that will enhance their communication. p
References
Figure 1: Information is channelled via the Supervisor Source: Department of Mines and Energy, Queensland
Guidance Note QGN14 for Effective Safety and Health Supervision (2008). The Mines Inspectorate of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines. Available at http://mines.industry.qld.gov.au/assets/minessafety-health/guidance_note14.pdf
Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993) available at http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/ downloads/legislation/acts/occupational-health-andsafety/amendments/Amended%20Act%20-%20 Occupational%20Health%20and%20Safety.pdf
Different types of supervision and the impact on safety in the chemical and allied industries available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr292a.pdf
Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Should PPE always be the
“last resort” and is the
“one-size-fits-all”
approach still relevant? The draft bill seems to move away from this approach… The draft Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill, 2013 (Bill) published in Government Gazette No. 37027 on 15 November 2013, seeks to amend the Mine Health and Safety Act, No. 29 of 1996 (MHSA). The Bill aims to rationalise administrative processes, review enforcement provisions, reinforce offences and penalties, amend certain definitions and provide for matters connected therewith. Written submissions on the Bill can be submitted to the Department of Mineral Resources within 60 working days of the date of publication.
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Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
Isak Marais Chief Executive Officer Bramhope Investments (Pty) Ltd
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
have the resources to do a proper risk assessment and maybe we can’t even guarantee that wearing PPE will always eliminate the risk – but you can use data from a previous incident it didn’t provide enough protection to understand how a risk assessment, training, selection or a maintenance programmes might have prevented the incident from happening. It is called “innovative thinking” and applying a new approach to the “same” problems. Bramhope Safety Solutions, a supplier of PPE and other safety equipment, and a company leading through innovation, welcomes the amendments proposed in the draft Bill, as it does not encourage an inactive approach towards managing PPE such as random and ad hoc purchasing of PPE. Rather, it promotes the idea that employers should spend more time and effort on determining specific PPE needs of all employees. This calls for proper risk assessments of all hazards in the workplace and suitable risk management interventions. The “one-size-fits” all approach will not be acceptable according to the proposed new legislation.
O
ne of the key amendments in the Bill is the detailed requirements with regard to personal protective equipment (PPE). In terms of the MHSA, employers are required to provide a variety of “suitable” personal protective equipment (PPE). Section 6 of the MHSA is amended as follows: “Every employer must ensure that suitable and sufficient quantities of all the necessary personal protective equipment are available to enable every employee who is required to use that equipment to be able to (do so) use such equipment effectively for personal protection”; and by the addition of the follow subsection: For the purposes of this section “suitable” means appropriate in terms of: size and fit, type of workplace hazards and purpose and nature of work to be undertaken”. In business, we can control a lot of things, but many other things evade even our most gruelling efforts to master them such as the weather and natural disasters. Maybe we will never be able to make it rain when we want it to, but we can apply innovation to limit the impact the weather has on our businesses, and use it to better plan for future occurrences. The same applies to innovative solutions with regards to PPE – maybe we can’t always afford the best quality products, maybe we do not
We believe that stricter measures such as these that the draft Bill is proposing, can only be of benefit to all in the mining industry. In 2003, the South African mining industry agreed to be world class by 2013 by reducing fatalities by 20% a year over ten years. Last year 112 people died on South Africa’s mines, 158 fewer than the 270 who died in 2003, and so far this year 87 people have died, two less than the 89 who had died over the same period last year. Although the new legislation is a step in the right direction, the mining industry needs to evaluate current practices and commit to execute workplace risk assessments optimally and effectively. Of course, this is not only true for the mining industry. General industry should take note of these new proposed legislative requirements as it will not be treated by Government in isolation and are definitely not only applicable to mines.
Why should PPE always be the “last resort”? It is common believe that PPE should only be applied as the “last resort” to protect against risks to safety and health, and only after all engineering controls and safe systems of work were considered. Maybe it is time to reconsider this approach. In a country where health and safety incidents are part of everyday life and statistics of accidents and fatalities are just not getting anywhere close to the “zero incidents” goal,
Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
we do not have the “luxury” of using PPE only as a “last resort”. Maybe we need to apply all possible measures available to us, all the time… Instead of spending additional time and money on time-consuming assessments to determine “when”, “how” and “why” to use PPE, maybe we should just accept the fact that PPE is an extremely effective preventative measure and cost effective compared to other expen-sive measures of eliminating or mitigating risks in the workplace. For example, why do some employers still spend hours on job safety analysis trying to find alternative ways to do a certain job so that PPE will not be necessary. Productivity is essential in all operations, thus, if the job needs to be done and done quickly, just do it – but use the suitable and appropriate PPE to eliminate further risk factors. Applying engineering measures such as machine safe- guards are essential – but why compromise and take further chances by not issuing eye protection, for example? Why not provide PPE to the employees operating these machines as well – it can only further eliminate any chance of injury. It should not always be the “last resort” – it should always be considered for each and every hazardous task in the workplace. Some might argue that PPE only protects the person wearing it, whereas measures controlling the risk at source protect everyone in the workplace. But is this not a contradictory statement on its own? Is it not “the person” that we want to protect? Others argue that it is difficult to determine and assess the exact levels of protection of PPE. With the testing and quality standards that today’s reputable PPE manufacturers need to adhere to, in order to deliver according to market expectations, this argument is hard to follow. If suitable PPE is selected and purchased from a reputable PPE supplier and/or manufacturers who comply with international quality standards, and if it is correctly fitted, maintained and used – these theories become absolute. A final argument that we want to challenge is the fact that PPE may restrict the wearer to some extent by limiting mobility or visibility, or by requiring additional weight to be carried, thus creating additional hazards. If the right type and grade of PPE is specified and provided, this should never be a problem. Again, we believe that perhaps this argument was relevant 10 years ago, but with modern light-weight fabrics and enhanced technology in the manufacturing of
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Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
PPE, very few of the modern PPE items are really too uncomfortable to wear.
What employers should do to ensure compliance to looming new legislation? Employers, who have not done a comprehensive risk assessment on all PPE requirements, should consider getting this done as soon as possible. We do realise that not all companies have the manpower and time to do the required and thorough risk assessments. Not all companies have the funds nor the storage space for all the PPE they require and not all employers have the know-how on procurement of the right type of PPE for all the hazards involved. There are many companies that do provide the full cycle of services when it comes to PPE procurement and management. All factors are considered such as legal requirements, individual usage, best fit per individual, the state of health of those employees using PPE, the individual needs and job demands it places on the wearer, duration for which each items could provide protection as well as other factors such as requirements for visibility and communication in the workplace.
PPE management leads to cost saving An effective system of maintenance of PPE is essential to make sure the equipment continues to provide the degree of protection for which it is designed. Maintenance may include; cleaning, examination, replacement, repair and testing. Where PPE is provided, adequate storage facilities for PPE must be provided for when it is not in use, unless the employee may take PPE away from the workplace (e.g. footwear or clothing). Once again, there are companies that offer high-end technology solutions that make the management of these tasks easy and that are guaranteed to save money and reduce the total cost of ownership. Contact Bramhope Safety Solutions on 086000 27 26 / 011 397 5075/6 or sales@bramhope.co.za or visit www.bramhope.co.za
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Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
GLOBAL SAFETY STANDARDS
Global safety standards for machinery control
Derek Jones Business Development Manager for Safety Rockwell Automation
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Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
Mike Miller FS TÜV Expert, Global Safety Market Development Rockwell Automation
GLOBAL SAFETY STANDARDS
T
he automation industry has set 2016 as the deadline for an EN ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 merger, but some OEMs, especially those located outside of the European Union, question the need and relevance of the merger. While many OEMs recognise that the potential gains from the merger justify climbing what might appear to be another standards mountain, these gains, for example, may include capitalising on advanced technologies and eliminating technical barriers in global trade.
OEMs should be optimistic, however. The merger, that will become IEC/ISO 17305, signals the summit in terms of challenges related to global machinery safety control standards. The basic methodology and essential requirements introduced in ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 should not require significant alterations. Unifying them should simply combine the best achievements from both, simplifying and making a single, more user-friendly standard. It may also resolve some known issues and grey areas identified during the last six years of using the two existing standards. Navigating the previous safety-standard migration will be a useful preparation to adopting IEC/ISO 17305. With the EN 954-1 to EN ISO 13849-1 experience in hand, OEMs will find the next transition to be a more manageable leap. They can leverage any lessons learned from continued use of the existing ISO and IEC standards to streamline their transition. OEMs moving from the simple safety categorisation of EN 954-1 to the significantly more complex ISO 13849 or IEC 62061 standards did not greet the transition with universal acclaim. At the same time, there was a consensus that increasingly sophisticated safety automation technology clearly required parallel and robust enhancements to safety standards. Growing worldwide adoption of the ISO and IEC standards that superseded EN 954-1 at the end of 2011 is validating that prediction. The new generation of complex electronic and programmable safety automation technology exceeds the ability of the relatively simple and semi-prescriptive EN 954-1, which essentially provided guidance on control system structure. The newer, more comprehensive functional safety standards enable confident use of new technology by requiring designers to assess all aspects relevant to the long-term reliability of safety components. More rigorous documentation requirements combined with a quantitative calculation for assessing reliability
Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
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GLOBAL SAFETY STANDARDS
increases the complexity. But those types of tradeups resulted in a methodical approach that is helping OEMs to develop safer machinery – using standards that allow use of contemporary technology and can be used to show compliance across worldwide markets – with more predictable performance, greater reliability and availability, and improved return on investment. All Indicators “Go” Reasons for OEMs to take a wait-and-see position on IEC/ISO 17305 are becoming harder to find. The most obvious indicator that a unified standard will emerge is the approaching end of development activity on ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 as separate standards. The IEC/ISO 17305 preliminary planning process has already started, and drafting began in 2013. Other leading indicators for a single global safety standard include: ISO and IEC are relevant to US machinery and equipment building. There is one particularly compelling, mainstream precedent on this topic. ISO 12100 is a basic principle machinery safety standard providing a best-practice framework to identify risk and eliminate hazards during the design stage. It demonstrates forcefully that what have been perceived as “European standards” are truly international. Not only is ISO 12100 a consensus standard in the US, some of its major influences are provided by US OEMs, machinery users and safety device manufacturers. Many national standards already have provisions in common with the equivalent ISO and IEC versions. An increasing number of regions around the world are adopting ISO and IEC standards as national standards. Consider a US manufacturer selling to China and the EU, or a China-based company exporting to the United States. The different standards that come into play – from UL and ANSI to EN and GB – might appear to be silo-creating guidelines that complicate life for global exporters and
importers alike. But current standards are often similar; sometimes up to 90 percent similar from one to the next. What are the most frequent commonalities? Predictably, they share significant elements with ISO and IEC standards. There is no “going back” based on complexity and data demands. Today’s safety function is often not a simple case of switching off the power. Safety-capable logic that enables intelligent safety operations is only one example of the flexible, advanced functionality requiring greater provisions against mistakes and faults. The increased complexity and requirements for reliability calculations did create some understandable frustrations, not the least of which has been a lack of data. But in many cases this issue has now been resolved. There is no benefit of delaying, hoping that the complexity will disappear. It will not. Understanding the existing ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 will certainly allow easier transition to IEC/ISO 17305. The bottom line is that global trade means global standards. The IEC/ISO 17305 is scheduled to publish by 2016. The intervening time between now and then is best spent getting familiar with its ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 foundations. Organisations familiar with the two standards will be very comfortable with what is in the unified standard. The merger process will not introduce any significantly different requirements. Rather, it will clarify and simplify. Industry simply is steering a course toward an optimised global-reaching standard that will help OEMs build safer, higher performing and internationally competitive machinery, while helping to take cost out of the multinational safety-compliance process. For more information, visit the Rockwell Automation Safety Resource Centre at http://discover.rockwellautomation.com/safety and the Rockwell Automation Guardman Blog at http://www.guardmanblog.com. p
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs over 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
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HEARING PROTECTION
Effective hearing protection prevents irreversible hearing loss The African division of MSA – a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated products that protect people’s health and safety – is aiming to increase awareness of the importance that hearing protection plays in industries.
Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
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HEARING PROTECTION
All forms of safety in the workplace are of vital importance, and MSA Africa senior HEFHC (Head, Eye, Face, Hearing and Communication) product manager Loren Pearson reveals that hearing protection in working environments is often disregarded, as people do not see a need for it. “Of all the safety topics, hearing protection is the least understood, as there is no pain associated with loss of hearing.” Pearson explains that constant exposure to loud noises will result in hearing loss. “The maximum amount of sound that the human ear can endure is 85dB(A) over a 40 hour period per week, before hearing loss will occur. Workers that need to shout to be heard from a short distance are at risk of being exposed to 85dB(A) or higher and, although it is law to provide adequate hearing protection at 85dB(A) or higher, it is recommended that hearing protection should be offered to individuals working in an environment with a noise level of 82dB(A) or higher.” According to Pearson, a person should also be careful not to over-protect an employee’s hearing capability by blocking out too much noise, as this is a potential safety risk as the individual may not be able to hear important sounds such as warning signals and vehicles. Three types of hearing loss are typically experienced after long exposure to loud noises without appropriate hearing protection. The first is temporary threshold shift, which arises when different noise levels are encountered during the course of the day, causing a person’s hearing to worsen over time. It is not necessarily permanent and hearing will return to being fully functional following sufficient rest in a quiet environment. However should you exposure yourself to high noise levels frequently, hearing loss will occur. Noise induced hearing loss is another threat to workers, and is common among individuals that are continuously exposed to noises above 85dB(A) without adequate protection. This results in excessive pressure being placed on the hairs of the cochlea, and unless adequate hearing protection is used this will lead to permanent hearing loss. The third type of hearing loss is known as impact sound, where permanent hearing damage can be caused immediately by sudden, extremely loud, explosive noises such as those caused by pyrotechnics. This involves irreversible damage to the nerve of the cells in the cochlea. Impact sound, such as a gunshot, can damage or break the hairs of the cochlea, this damage is irreparable, and will ultimately lead to deafness. In order to prevent any of these types of hearing loss,
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Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
Loren Pearson Senior Product Manager, MSA Africa Pearson stresses that adequate hearing protection must be used and fitted correctly. “It is important to make the right choice when it comes to hearing protection. People have their own preferences when it comes to their hearing protection, and it is advisable to provide employees with a choice of products with the correct attenuation level, so that they can choose the one that best suits them,” she explains. Pearson recommends that disposable earplugs should be used for a maximum of one week, but are actually designed for a once off use. These types of products are commonly made from foam or polyurethane. Reusable earplugs can be washed and re-used for up to eight months depending on the type. Semi-reusable earplugs are also available, and can be used for up to four weeks. Pearson concludes by highlighting the importance of choosing hearing protection that is not only correctly suited to a particular application, but also to the individual wearing it. “Clear and effective communication is vital in any industry. By choosing the correct hearing protection, employees can communicate effectively with one another, without compromising their long term hearing.” p
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CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
The Construction Regulations, 2014 was launched by the Department of Labour with much ceremony on 10 February 2014. Key stakeholders in the construction industry were invited to celebrate this long awaited and significant legislation. Amongst those who attended was Thulas Nxesi, Minister of Public Works, members of the Advisory Council for Occupational Health and Safety, members of the Construction Industry Development Board, the Registrar of the SACPMCP, and representatives of Organised Labour and Organised Business.
A review of the Construction Regulations, 2014
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Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
T
he Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, in her address at the launch, pointed out that the construction industry is “the bedrock” and “heart and soul of our economy”. The construction industry plays such a large role in contributing to the economy and yet it is still plagued by such issues as non-compliance to the legislation and guidelines leading to poor health and safety management, and leading further to accidents, injuries and death of workers. There are so many examples of the effects of this in South Africa: the collapse of the Injaka Bridge in Mpumalanga and the Coega Bridge in Port Elizabeth, and recently the collapse mall being constructed in Tongaat.
to the provincial director along with the Baseline Risk Assessment and project Health and Safety plan, thirty days before construction work is undertaken. All projects over R13m or CIDB grading level 6, or over 1800 person hours or with more than 180 people assigned will require a permit to work. All projects below the above criteria will still work off the traditional ‘Notification of Construction work’. Each application will be properly assessed to ensure that it meets all the requirements before a permit is granted. Currently, there are no costs for this application and the Department of Labour has put systems in place to ensure that there are no delays in the processing of the applications.
Some key features of the new construction regulations include:
The Minister of Labour has further instructed the Chief Inspector to establish a Construction Health and Safety Technical Committee. This committee will consist of a range of stakeholders from the construction industry and will advise the chief inspector on construction-related codes, standards and training requirements. It will also examine safety systems and records of companies who have high incident rates and provide recommendations to the chief inspector of occupational health and safety on the findings.
Construction Health and Safety The Department of Labour and the Agent (PrCHSA), Construction A client must submit the construction industry saw the need Health and Safety Manager (CHSM) for major changes in terms of health and Construction Health and Safety prescribed application and safety and have been working Officer (CHSO) are the professions form to the provincial together to amend the legislation that have been identified by the director along with the so that there is more accountability Construction Regulations, 2014 for health and safety and so that Baseline Risk Assessment to be registered in accordance all workers are protected as far with section 2 of the Project and and project Health and as possible. In August 2012, the Construction Management Act, Safety plan, thirty days Department and social partners No. 48 of 2000. These registrations signed a Construction Health before construction work is began on 1 June 2013 for Professional and Safety Accord, committing Construction Health and Safety undertaken themselves to working together to Agents and on the 1 August 2013 improve health and safety conditions for Health and Safety Managers and in the industry. This has led to the promulgation of the Officers. The requirement helps to ensure competency new Construction Regulations. in dealing with all health and safety matters.
• The responsibilities of key stakeholders • The new construction work permit system • Registration of construction health and safety professionals The Construction Regulations, 2014 has implications for all stakeholders involved in construction to be responsible for health and safety. The Minister, in her address expressed this saying: “They also seek to: harness the power of the different competitive forces to work together for the good of the projects; identifying and also placing certain legal responsibilities on different key stakeholders. Stakeholder relationship management in the construction industry involves understanding the role of each stakeholder and how different entities can work together on behalf of the industry and their clients.” A client must submit the prescribed application form
Construction workers face many hazards in their work, such as working at heights, working with dangerous and powerful machinery, exposure to high levels of noise and many more. Their safety is vital and while legislation is promulgated with the purpose of ensuring worker safety, it is necessary for workers themselves, as well as employees and all stakeholders in the construction industry to work together to ensure that all safety legislation and guidelines are adhered to and that all health and safety issues, incidents and accidents are reported in order to develop new, better and safer ways to work. p
Health & Safety at work in SA Issue 1/2014
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