News and Updates

Consolidated directions on Occupational Health and Safety measures in certain workplaces

Issued by the Minister in terms of Regulation 4 (10) of the National Disaster Regulations Act signed on the 28 September 2020

APPLICATION

To employers and workers in workplaces who are permitted to continue or commence operations.

RISK ASSESSMENT AND PLANS FOR PROTECTIVE MEASURES

• Undertake a Risk Assessment
• Develop a Plan
• Consult with Union and Occupational Health and Safety Committee
• Make Plan available for inspection

PLAN

• Date workplace opened / hours of operation
• List of employees permitted to work and those required to work from home
• Timetable for phased in return of employees
• Identify vulnerable employees
• Ways of minimising number of workers at workplace
• Workplace protective measures
• Measures for screening employees, clients, contractors and visitors
• COVID-19 Compliance Officer
• Procedure to resolve issues

ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES

Employers employing 50 or more employees must submit Risk Assessment  and COVID-19 Policy to Occupational Health and Safety Committee and Department of Employment and Labour.

• Employees must disclose health issues
• Keep workers notified of plan
• Notify employees if sick or COVID-19 symptoms not to come to work, take paid sick leave
• Appoint manager as COVID-19 Compliance Officer
  • Oversee Plan
  • Oversee adherence
  • Address employee awareness
• Ensure measures are strictly adhered to
• Minimise number of workers at workplace
• Minimise contact
• Provide awareness information

WORKERS DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19

• Inform National Institute of Health (NIOH)
• Compensation Commissioner if work related
• Investigate
• Need to temporarily close affected work area for decontamination
• Admin support for contact tracing

EMPLOYERS EMPLOYING 50 OR MORE EMPLOYEES MUST

Submit data to NIOH:

• Vulnerable employees
• Screening of employees who are symptomatic
• Employees who test positive
• High Risk contacts with positive case in workplace
• Post infection outcomes, return to work

As soon as possible by Tuesday every week and inform employees of submission.
May submit data to Employee Association.

The following sections in the Regulation remain unchanged:

1. Social Distancing

1. Symptom Screening

1. Sanitisers, Disinfectants and washing hands

1. Cloth Masks

1. Measures in respect of workplaces to which public has access

1. Ventilation

1. Specific PPE

1. Small Businesses

1. Worker obligations

1. Refusal to work due to exposure to COVID-19

1. No deduction from employee remuneration

1. Monitoring and enforcing directions

1. Sectoral protocols and guidelines

1. Amendment of footnotes Annexure A

1. Withdrawal of directions

1. Commencement of directions

CLIENT SUPPORT DOCUMENT

Please click on the below link to download a Checklist which can be used to submit required Data to National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH).

https://mcusercontent.com/c3302ce60fdfdcd39549b2e7c/files/91801ff0-a41c-47d7-bbc3-f9a11069eebc/Workplace_data_submission_Rev_1.pdf