Health and safety compliance involves the implementation, promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of all employees in the organisation.
It also works to prevent adverse health issues, illnesses, injuries and even death. Such incidents and accidents often arise from working conditions and/or environments. Through compliance, these incidents and accidents can be reduced and even eliminated.
The golden standard of health and safety compliance is to appoint a health and safety consultant to assist not only with compliance, but also to meet and subsequently overcome challenges faced in ensuring an efficient health and safety management system. Once an organisation has reached the required health and safety compliance level, they have the duty of further promoting and maintaining such health and safety standards.
Workplace health and safety compliance also equips employees with the necessary skills and abilities needed to safeguard their own health and safety. Health and safety compliance is not something optional, it is mandatory according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
What are the must-haves for health and safety compliance in South Africa?
1. The OHS Act must be accessible
Employees have certain duties and responsibilities towards their own health and safety. For this reason, a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act must be easily accessible at any given time.
2. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
The employer must provide their employees with the correct PPE. Employees have the responsibility of wearing their PPE and taking care of it. Wearing the correct PPE for the task at hand can reduce physical harm. PPE includes but is not limited to gloves, clothing, face masks, helmets, safety harnesses, boots and others. PPE is heavily regulated by law and for this reason, compliance must be monitored.
3. Machinery maintenance
To prevent accidents or incidents occurring due to machinery, frequent maintenance must be done to ensure that machinery and equipment is kept in safe working condition. In addition, effective measures must be in place to ensure there is no unauthorised access to machines.
4. Safety training
At least one trained first aid officer must be appointed for every hundred employees. It is, however, advisable that several employees are trained in performing basic first aid, as there is no restriction on the number of people who can be trained. A fire and safety procedure must be implemented with designated employees trained in such procedures in case of an emergency.
5. Health and safety officers
Employees who have the required qualifications and training can be appointed to such positions, in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. These appointments must be formal and must be communicated in writing. Each appointment letter must contain the specific responsibilities and duties of each officer.
6. IOD reports
If an injury occurs on duty, the relevant documentation must be completed. Injury on duty (IOD) reports can help to assess threats and risks present in the workplace. They can also help to prevent similar injuries in future.
7. Health and safety policies
Policies cover the goals and principles of the organisation towards health and safety. Policies are formal statements in which the organisation declares its commitment towards ensuring that employees are kept safe and free from harm. Policies must be available to employees at any given time and they must be reviewed frequently to ensure their relevance.
8. Frequent inspections
Conditions in the workplace may change quickly and it is therefore necessary that frequent inspections are done. This ensures that new potential hazards can be identified promptly and that the effectiveness of current measures can be determined. Inspections also allow for an analysis of health and safety compliance and allow for suggestions for improvement.
9. Communication
Employees must be kept up to date with the latest health and safety rules and regulations. This can be done by keeping notice and information boards in place, visible and updated.
10. Safe working procedure plan
The safe working procedure plan, also known as a safe operating procedure plan, is a working document that describes both the best and safest ways in which tasks must be performed. This ensures that employees are safeguarded, as well as tools, machines and equipment.
11. Occupational hygiene surveys
Frequent inspections or surveys are crucial where hygiene in the working environment is concerned. This ensures that employees are not exposed to a harmful environment hazardous to the health of employees. Surveys must be conducted on noise, illumination, dust, asbestos or any other factors that can influence the health of employees.
12. Toolbox talks
These are small discussion forums in which safety issues are discussed and addressed before the work starts. Toolbox talks promotes safety and is an effective way to keep employees informed.
13. Committee meetings
As per the law, regular scheduled meetings between health and safety representatives and employee representatives must be held at least every three months. It must include health and safety discussions with any other issues or concerns and the solving thereof to the benefit of employees.
14. Risk assessments
During this, all potential hazards are identified and analysed. Through this, they can be addressed, controlled, reduced or eliminated. It is a crucial part of the OHS programme and organisations are required to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act in all regards. 
