Implementing effective health and safety practices in the workplace is not optional; it’s a legal and moral responsibility. In South Africa, workplace health and safety requirements are governed by the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 85 of 1993, which clearly states that employers have a duty to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of employees and anyone else who may be affected by their activities.
Below are 10 essential health and safety practices in the workplace that South African businesses should implement to reduce risk, protect people, and comply with the OHS Act.
1. Appoint and train the required number of Health & Safety Representatives
The appointment of Health and Safety Representatives is a legal requirement under the OHS Act for any organisation employing more than 20 people. Health and Safety Representatives are responsible for:
- Representing the workforce’s health and safety interests
- Conducting monthly or quarterly workplace inspections to identify hazards
- Assessing the effectiveness of existing health and safety measures
- Attending Health and Safety Committee meetings
- Assisting with the promotion of safe work practices
To perform these duties effectively, Health and Safety Representatives must receive appropriate training.
2. Appoint and train the required number of First Aiders
Under the OHS Act, organisations employing more than 10 people are legally required to appoint trained First Aiders. To meet compliance requirements, First Aiders must hold a valid first aid certificate issued by an occupational health and safety training organisation accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Workplace First Aiders’ responsibilities include:
- Maintaining first aid boxes
- Providing first aid treatment in the event of a workplace emergency
- Liaising with paramedics and emergency medical personnel when necessary
- Completing reports relating to incidents and injuries
Having competent First Aiders on site is a vital component of effective health and safety practices in the workplace.
3. Implement fire prevention programmes and fire safety measures
Fire poses a real risk to all workplaces, making fire prevention programmes and fire safety measures an essential aspect of workplace health and safety. Essential workplace fire safety measures include:
- Appointing Fire Wardens and sending them on accredited OHS firefighting training
- Conducting fire risk assessments
- Supplying sufficient firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and fire hose reels
- Ensuring firefighting equipment is well maintained and regularly serviced
- Installing fire alarm systems
- Affixing SABS-approved fire safety signage indicating the location of firefighting equipment and emergency exits
- Ensuring compliance with the OHS Act, SANS 10400-Part T, and local municipal bylaws
4. Set up a functioning Health and Safety Committee
The Health and Safety Committee is the driving force behind an organisation’s health and safety practices in the workplace. A Committee is legally required when there are two or more Health and Safety Representatives, which typically applies to companies employing more than 50 people. The Committee must meet at least once every three months and is responsible for initiating, developing, promoting, maintaining, and reviewing measures that improve health and safety in the workplace.
Health and Safety Committee members should include:
- A chairperson
- Health and Safety Supervisors
- Health and Safety Representatives
- A secretary or minutes-taker
In larger companies, additional members may include first aid, firefighting, and evacuation team leaders, as well as co-opted members such as Health and Safety Practitioners (co-opted members do not have voting rights).
5. Conduct bi-annual evacuation drills
Conducting regular fire drills and evacuation drills is a crucial health and safety practice in the workplace. Regular drills allow your Health and Safety Team to practise and fine-tune their emergency response and test emergency equipment, ensuring that in the event of a real emergency, everyone is able to evacuate the building quickly, calmly, and safely. For this reason, bi-annual evacuation drills are a legal requirement in South Africa.
In addition to conducting evacuation drills twice a year, employers must ensure that:
- Compliant evacuation floor plans are clearly displayed on every floor
- SABS-approved emergency signage clearly indicates the location of emergency exits, first aid boxes, firefighting equipment, and assembly points
- Evacuation Marshals are appointed and provided with the appropriate training
- The Health and Safety Team is familiar with the organisation’s emergency response procedures to guide them during an emergency
6. Conduct regular risk assessments
Identifying hazards and eliminating or controlling risks is a clear duty set out by the OHS Act. Risk assessments should be carried out by competent persons who have undergone HIRA (hazard identification and risk assessment) training. They should be conducted at least once a year, and more frequently under certain circumstances, including:
- Changes in the risk level of work
- After an injury or incident
- When processes, buildings, products, or structures change
- When new departments or acquisitions are introduced
7. Incident investigation and reporting
Workplace incidents and accidents must be thoroughly investigated to identify root causes and implement corrective measures that prevent recurrence. All South African employers need to understand which incidents are reportable to the Inspector of the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) in terms of Section 24 of the OHS Act. When an incident occurs, the incident investigator must complete an internal incident report and, for reportable incidents, Annexure 1.
Ideally, the investigation team should include:
- Health and Safety Supervisor
- Health and Safety Representative
- Health and Safety Officer/Practitioner
- External experts or specialists, if necessary
Investing in accredited incident investigation training strengthens this critical health and safety practice in the workplace.
8. Ergonomics training and risk assessments
Virtually all work involves ergonomic risks, whether in office environments, retail, manufacturing, or higher-risk industries. The Ergonomics Regulations of the OHS Act state that all employers are legally required to identify ergonomic hazards, take steps to eliminate or control ergonomic risks, provide employees with ergonomics training, and conduct medical surveillance where necessary.
9. Appoint a Health & Safety Officer, 16.2 Appointee, or Health & Safety Supervisor
Appointing a Health and Safety Officer or a 16.2 Appointee to oversee occupational health and safety across the organisation can significantly enhance the effectiveness of health and safety management systems and programmes. Candidates who have successfully completed Health and Safety Officer training should have a comprehensive understanding of health and safety management systems, legal compliance requirements, South African health and safety legislation, emergency preparedness, first aid, firefighting, etc. These individuals are well-equipped to implement health and safety.
In smaller organisations, a Health and Safety Supervisor may be appointed to lead health and safety efforts and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
10. Invest in accredited OHS training
Accredited occupational health and safety training is vital to equip key members of the Health and Safety Team with the skills and knowledge required to carry out their duties effectively.
Important OHS training courses include:
- First Aid training (provider must be approved by the DoEL and accredited by the QCTO)
- Health and Safety Representative training
- Firefighting training
- Evacuation Planning training
- Incident Investigation training
- Health and Safety Supervisor training
- Health and Safety Officer training
- OHS Act training
First Aid, Fire and Safety Training is an accredited provider of OHS training.
As outlined above, OHS training is an important aspect of health and safety practices in the workplace. First Aid, Fire and Safety Training is an accredited provider of high-quality OHS training in South Africa. We offer in-person training at our training centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Gqeberha, as well as on-site training at your premises for groups of eight or more. Selected OHS training courses are now also available via online training. Contact us to find out more.