Firefighting 101: How to use a fire extinguisher
Using a fire extinguishers is the most effective way to put out a small fire before it grows into a bigger, more destructive and dangerous fire. However, properly understanding how to use a fire extinguisher is essential, as the average extinguisher only discharges its contents for approximately 20 seconds. This leaves little room for error […]
How many employees do you need to have to appoint a Health and Safety Rep and a First Aider?
While all businesses in South Africa are legally required to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, what that looks like for your particular business can depend on how many employees you have. One example of this is the composition of your Health and Safety Team. In this article, we’ll look at how […]
What is the Hierarchy of Controls in workplace health and safety management?
The Hierarchy of Controls is a structured framework used to eliminate, reduce, or manage workplace risks in a logical and prioritised way.
What should a workplace health and safety checklist include?
Health and safety checklists, or workplace inspection checklists, are a valuable, practical tool for identifying hazards before they result in incidents.
Occupational health and safety training requirements for South African businesses
Occupational health and safety training requirements in the workplace fall into two broad categories: internal and external training. Internal training is specific to the company’s particular risks, equipment, and work processes and is developed and delivered in-house, usually by a Health and Safety Officer. External training, on the other hand, is facilitated by an accredited […]
What is a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a methodical process conducted within a building or workplace to identify potential fire hazards, evaluate the associated fire risks (the potential for a fire incident to occur), and establish control measures to eliminate or reduce those fire risks. Regular fire risk assessments are a cornerstone of workplace fire safety and […]
Do you need a trained firefighter at work?
Fire risks exist in every workplace. Even in seemingly low-risk settings like offices and shops, the presence of electrical equipment like kettles and printers and combustible materials like paper and cardboard are enough to present a very real fire risk. In higher-risk settings, like workplaces containing flammable or hazardous materials, the fire risk is of […]
How an Emergency Preparedness Plan differs from an Emergency Response Plan
Although these two terms are often used interchangeably, an emergency preparedness plan and an emergency response plan are actually two different things and should not be conflated. While an emergency preparedness plan focuses on ensuring that your organisation is adequately prepared to deal with possible emergencies, an emergency response plan focuses on spelling out the […]
What does a fire extinguisher service entail?
To comply with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, SANS codes, and local municipality fire safety by-laws, fire extinguishers should be serviced annually by SAQCC-registered technicians. During a service, the technician will carry out a general inspection of the extinguisher to check for damage, check the pressure gauge, inspect the nozzle and hose for […]
Classes of fire in the workplace: Frequently asked questions
In this blog, we’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions around the classification of fire and types of fire extinguishers in the context of the workplace. Why do I need to understand the different classes of fire that may occur in the workplace? When a fire breaks out at work, being able to […]