– by Noluthando Makhaza
The Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993, requires the employer to provide and maintain as far as reasonable and practical a work environment that is safe and without risk to the health of employees. On our current and ongoing Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) programme, delegates from across various disciplines and industrial areas are undergoing skills training for the next three weeks on how to manage health and safety issues within their environments in an occupational setting.
This programme is currently attended by delegates from public and private sector organisations, including the medical field, the Department of Education, as well as private contractors. One group from the Department of Education are responsible for managing the assets, such as school buildings, as the department is responsible for this from a health and safety aspect.
The programme is beneficial to anyone who wants to get a very good foundation in occupational health, safety and environmental management irrespective of their industry. The programme facilitator, Professor Theo Haupt has been involved in health and safety (H&S) practice and research for several years with a PhD from the United States. Providing his insights on the programme, Professor Haupt said that:
“The course is very intensive and speaks at a fairly high level over the nine days. It covers nine modules, coupled by a lot of individual assignments and group interactive work where delegates partake in hands-on assignments relative to what we cover in the course itself. It is extremely practical, delegates can use not only the handbook sort of as a reference guide in their offices when they are away from the classroom, but they also get to actually put together some of the things that we cover in the course to develop themselves”.
According to Occupational Health and Safety Act, employees have three basic rights which include the right to refuse unsafe work; the right to participate in the workplace health and safety activities through the Health and Safety Committee (HSC); and the right to be informed about, actual and potential dangers in the workplace. We would like to congratulate our delegates for being active participants in their respective organisations, as they take full responsibility of their rights and those of fellow colleagues.
If you would like enquire about this programme, please contact
Mrs Adiela Raiman
T: +27 31 260 4665
