Dear Reader

I recently attended a health and safety training course and was taken aback by how many of the delegates had problems with their contractors. As a result, I decided to dedicate this e-bulletin to giving you some very important methods to help you keep those contractors in line. Let’s start with the most important!

#1: Make your contractors sign a contract!

Have a contract signed to ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This highlights the contractor’s responsibilities to ensure the company-specific rules and regulations are adhered to while conducting contractual work. If you have your own copy of our Health and Safety Advisor, we give you a sample of a simple contract on page 13 in section C01.

#2: Give your contractors training!

The contractor must attend an induction course or training regarding the company’s health and safety rules. Aspects of the training should include matters relating to health, safety and environment; road traffic rules; security; fire prevention; hygiene and housekeeping; confidentiality; insurance; and legislation pertaining to the company. Our Health and Safety Advisor has a sample checklist of what to include in your training on page 15 in section C01.

#3: Make sure your contractors comply with legal requirements!

Appoint a competent person - in writing. This person must have the necessary experience. The appointment letter must remain on site at all times.

#4: Make the contractor carry out a risk assessment!

The contractor must carry out a risk assessment before commencement of the actual work in terms of the contract. This is also covered in more detail in your Health and Safety Advisor in section R02.

#5: Have your Certificate of Good Standing handy!

Make sure you have a Certificate of Good Standing from the Workman’s Compensation Commissioner in the same month the work is to commence.

#6: Conduct site inspections!

Do regular inspections to make sure your contractors are complying with your health and safety rules.

Clarifying last weeks health and safety question

Last Thursday I published a question from one of our subscribers. I've had a few sharp readers who emailed me, as the answer may have been a bit vague. Here is last weeks question and a bit more clarity.

Question

I have an injured employee. Must I supply his transport to the clinic? If he has to return for regular checkups, must my company supply transport for these too?

Answer

The employer must supply transport to the clinic or ER if it is an injury on duty. But you are not liable for follow-ups. 
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (No. 130 of 1993) in Section 72(1) requires that “If an employee meets with an accident which necessitates his conveyance to a hospital or medical practitioner or from a hospital or medical practitioner to his residence, his employer shall forthwith make the necessary conveyance available”.

Stay safe, 

Rachel Paterson
Publisher