Tag: Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
Workplace medical emergency preparedness
Employee safety falls under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. This legislation holds employers responsible for maintaining a safe working environment. Under the Act, businesses have a legal obligation to implement effective protocols. These protocols must ensure a swift and organised response in the event of an emergency.
Inclusive employee health insurance makes sense
South African businesses face an environment where many employees, especially in lower income segments, cannot afford basic healthcare services. Medical aid remains unaffordable for most workers, even when subsidised, exacerbating the existing healthcare access disparities.
Health, safety & profits – cornerstones of construction success
Workplace health and safety should never be a tick-box exercise in construction. When given the proper care and attention, health and safety practices keep workers safe, help projects stay within budget and timelines, and can have a substantial impact on companies’ bottom-lines.
Political affiliations in the workplace – what employers need to know
Navigating political affiliations in the workplace is a complex task for South African employers. There are valuable insights on this topic, emphasizing the importance of maintaining political neutrality to foster a harmonious work environment.
Building whistle blower confidence to enhance OHS
The processes for reporting dangerous workplaces can significantly differ from one organisation to another. Notably, there seems to be a lack of consideration for an anonymous reporting mechanism, leaving individuals raising concerns vulnerable to potential identification by others within the organisation who may take issue with the report.
Single standard safety induction model can save mining houses
As one of the most dangerous industries in the world, it is for good reason that there are strict health and safety protocols in mining. Before starting work on any project for a mining house, every individual must complete the necessary health and safety induction at each mining site.
Alcohol and drug testing – some do’s and don’ts for employers
The law on intoxicating substances in the workplace is clear. The Occupational Health and Safety Act places a strict obligation on employers to ensure that they do not allow entry to the workplace if an individual is intoxicated, whether under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
CCMA speaks again on mandatory vaccination policies
Hot off the heels of a number of awards by the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) which upheld mandatory vaccination policies in the workplace, the CCMA has recently declared mandatory vaccination policies to be unconstitutional.
Unpacking the new mandatory vaccinations Code of Practice
On 4 April 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the National State of Disaster would be lifted with effect from 00:00 on 5 April 2022. One of the effects of this is that the Code of Good Practice: Managing Exposure to SARS-COV-2 in the Workplace (Code) became effective on 5 April 2022.
COVID-19 admission policies – the Labour Court weighs in
A recent Labour Court judgment has upheld an employer’s right to require employees to have a COVID-19 vaccination or provide a weekly negative test if they decline to be vaccinated, but it leaves several important questions unanswered.
