Health and safety compliance and risk management courses (including First Aid, Firefighting, Evacuation Planning, Health & Safety Representative, and Risk Assessment courses) aim to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone at work. But that’s not all: health and safety risk and compliance courses also enable employers to protect themselves against legal liability, ensure business continuity and productivity, and prevent unnecessary incident- and accident-related costs.
Benefits of attending health and safety compliance and risk management courses:
Ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers
Health and safety compliance and risk management courses equip employers to create a work environment that is safe and without risk to employees. To comply with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act and local by-laws, employers are required to appoint and train First Aiders, Fire Wardens, Evacuation Marshals, and Health and Safety Representatives and Supervisors. These appointees make up the company’s core Health and Safety Team, which works together to maintain a healthy and safe workplace and respond appropriately in emergency situations. In addition, Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment courses train delegates to proactively identify workplace hazards and implement risk control measures, making accidents and injuries much less likely.
Legal compliance
Health and safety compliance training gives employers and employees the knowledge and skills to implement compliance requirements and protect their organisation from legal liability relating to non-compliance with the OHS Act, its regulations, and local health and safety by-laws. Accredited health and safety training providers issue certificates to Health and Safety Team appointees, which the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) inspectors often request to view.
Business continuity
Effective health and safety risk management reduces the likelihood of incidents and accidents, which in turn reduces work disruptions, downtime, and employee absenteeism.
Financial benefits
Investing in health and safety compliance training carries significant financial benefits:
· Avoid fines from the DoEL due to non-compliance or negligence
· Avoid possible legal fees in the event of an injured employee
· Avoid the costs associated with work disruption and downtime due to incidents
· Avoid the costs of replacing lost or damaged stock or assets
· Proactive risk management reduces the organisation’s risk profile, leading to lower insurance premiums
Improved employee morale and productivityWhen employees feel safe and valued at work, their stress levels are reduced, and their morale and productivity levels increase. A happy, safe workforce is an invaluable asset to any company, and a positive business reputation will naturally follow.
Which health and safety compliance and risk management courses do South African businesses need?
The following health and safety training is required for South African businesses:
First Aid NQF Level 1
Any organisation employing more than 10 people is legally required to have a person in possession of a certificate in first aid from a training provider approved by the Department of Employment and Labour on site during normal working hours. For larger businesses, the recommended ratio is one First Aider per fifty employees.
Health and Safety Representative
According to the OHS Act, any organisation employing more than 20 people is required to train and appoint a Health and Safety Representative. The primary functions of the Health and Safety Representative are to represent employees’ health and safety interests to management, attend Health and Safety Committee meetings, assist with incident investigations, and perform monthly or quarterly Health and Safety Inspections of the workplace.
Health and Safety Supervisor
Health and Safety Supervisors are often referred to as ‘8.2 Appointees’ in reference to Section 8.2(e) of the OHS Act, which states that employers have a duty to provide “such information, instructions, training and supervision as may be necessary to ensure […] the health and safety at work of his employees”. While Health and Safety Representatives are nominated by employees, Health and Safety Supervisors are chosen and appointed by management.
Firefighting
The OHS Act, fire safety bylaws, and South African National Standards (SANS) codes require businesses to address and control fire risks, including appointing and training Fire Wardens. OHS firefighting courses give delegates the knowledge and skills needed to confidently and safely use firefighting equipment (like fire extinguishers) to suppress small fires. In addition, delegates learn how to assist with fire risk assessments, fire prevention programmes, evacuation procedures, and more.
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
Section 8.2(d) of the OHS Act states that duties of employers include “establishing […] what hazards to the health or safety of persons are attached to any work which is performed […] and he shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, further establish what precautionary measures should be taken […] in order to protect the health and safety of persons, and he shall provide the necessary means to apply such precautionary measures”. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) courses help employers to comply with the OHS Act by equipping delegates with the skills to identify hazards, assess risks, and suggest appropriate risk control measures.
Evacuation Planning
All businesses in South Africa are required to implement evacuation planning and preparedness. OHS Evacuation Planning training familiarises delegates with the specific legal requirements relating to evacuations laid out in the OHS Act’s Environmental Regulations for Workplaces, SANS 10400, SANS 23601, and the Emergency Services by-laws (2003). In addition, Evacuation Planning training covers evacuation floor plan design requirements, evacuation roles and responsibilities, how to conduct evacuation drills, specific emergencies and responses, and more.
First Aid, Fire and Safety Training is an accredited health and safety compliance and risk management training provider.
First Aid, Fire and Safety Training (FAFST) is accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL). As well as OHS training, we offer OHS Compliance Assessments, Risk Assessments, assistance with your bi-annual evacuation drills, and comprehensive OHS management services packages.
Contact us to find out more or to book your training.