Hot Topic: Accidents in the Workplace

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accidents in the workplace

The story of Ozzy Osbourne biting the head off a live bat at a concert has to be one of the most notorious stories in Rock ‘n Roll (and this is quite achievement for a music genre that literally delights in this kind of behaviour). Accounts differ: the lady who apparently threw the animal on to the stage swears that the bat was already dead, while Ozzy himself asserts quite the contrary. He says the bat was very much alive and, before he took a chunk from it, it gave him a pretty good nip, and he needed a rabies’ shot.

Health and Safety Bulletin

I was very pleased with your vociferous response to my question in last week’s bulletin. Surprisingly, there wasn’t the expected unanimous “YES” when I asked whether we should do what New Zealand is planning, and ban smoking completely. I wanted to share everyone’s comments, and a few readers very kindly gave permission for us to reproduce what they had to say here…

Health and Safety Bulletin

You should have received your first health and safety update for this year. You’ll see we’ve included the very important amendments Government made to the Tobacco Products Control Act on the 21st of August last year. There’ve been some very interesting (and prohibitive) developments!

Health and Safety Bulletin

Do you remember the explosion that occurred at the Bloed Street Mall last month? A recent investigation into the incident revealed that liquid petroleum gas (LPG) escaped from the gas line, causing the explosion. At least seven people were injured during the blast, and the damages cost an estimated R400 000.  Human error was to blame…

Health and Safety Bulletin

You know the saying, “a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing”? In health and safety, this is sometimes scarily applicable. For instance, you know that it’s good business practice to conduct an audit once a year, so you faithfully do this annually.

Health and Safety Bulletin

It always amazes me how people happily adapt to less than perfect situations. Take my friend Duncan, for example. When we were students he drove a very dilapidated VW Volkswagen which had probably been in his family since Germany first started rolling them off the assembly line!

Health and Safety Bulletin

Your response to last week’s bulletin was very encouraging. Although it’s clear that some of you were unsure of the difference between a SHE File and SHE Plan, it was equally apparent that you wanted to clarify the distinction between the two as soon as possible. I listed the essential items to include in a SHE File. Now this week I bring you the key areas your SHE Plan should contain (Remember: this is only a guideline)…

Health and Safety Bulletin

A happy new year to you, and all the very best for 2010. As the newspapers have been proclaiming, this is our country’s year, and I believe that extends to all of us as individuals. For this to happen, we need to strive to be the very best in our field, and this means ensuring we minimise the possibility for error!

Health and Safety Bulletin

This is your last health and safety bulletin until next year. I’m taking some well-deserved time off to spend with my nearest and dearest, and hope you’ll be doing the same. As always, please drive carefully if you’re travelling around the country for your holiday. Last week’s two horrific accidents (including the one involving 10 people burning to death after a truck and bus collided on Moloto Road) serve to remind us that we should always be vigilant.

Health and Safety Bulletin

Safety is our by-word, and as such I feel compelled to inform you of anything that means keeping you and your employees safe. This includes both hazards in and out of the office. I also promised to keep you up-to-date this month on hazards that are particular to the holiday season. When I saw a recent article in IOL.co.za, I knew I had to share it with you…

Health and Safety Bulletin

We continue with our “silly season” series of bulletins focusing on substance abuse in the workplace. You’re 100% entitled to a drug- and drink-free workplace, but you can’t unilaterally impose terms and conditions on your employees. They have four unimpeachable rights…

Health and Safety Bulletin

We’re just about to enter the silly season, with the usual round of parties and end-of-year functions. While I am not discouraging you from rewarding your employees for a hard year’s work, you shouldn’t relax the safety measures you have in place.

Health and Safety Bulletin

I once watched an awful programme on a US reality show about disgruntled employees in restaurants. One of these hacked-off workers (for no apparent reason) was systematically plucking out body hair, and putting it in all the food he prepared for customers! I was put off visiting burger joints for several months.

Health and Safety Bulletin

A colleague recently lent me seasons three and four of Bones, the crime drama about a forensic anthropologist and an FBI agent, played by the scrumptious David Boreanaz. I must admit, the scenes can be quite gory, and I shudder to think of their health and safety issues (this is obviously irrelevant, seeing as it’s a fictional story!).
But it got me thinking… if a severe incident occurred in your workplace, would the health and safety measures you’ve put in place be sufficient?

Legal Wall Charts

In terms of Section 30 of the BCEA, summaries of the BCEA, OHSA and EEA must be in clear view for employees to see. This will be the first thing the inspector will look out for when he’s paying an unscheduled visit to your workplace.  If you are missing one or all of these summaries, he will slap you with a fine. Don’t get caught without them. Act now and order your wall charts today!

Health & Safety Advisor

It’s your duty as the employer to prepare for evacuation emergencies like this, whether it’s a prank or the real thing. And if you’re not, you’re placing your employees in danger. Protect them and yourself.

Practical Guide to Human Resources Management

Do you dread doing performance reviews? How do you tell someone he’s not performing without demotivating him? How do you get an excellent performer to improve even more? It doesn’t need to be as nerve-wracking as you think.
 

CCMA for Managers

CCMA for Managers is your ultimate A-Z guide to the CCMA. You’ll benefit from 178 pages packed with handy advice, answers to common questions, useful tips, checklists and step-by-step instructions. With this guide at your side, you’ll know exactly what steps to take at every stage of the CCMA process.

384 of the Best Labour Law & HR Tips... Ever!

Are you constantly running around trying to find answers to labour and HR questions that come up in your day-to-day dealings with staff?These nagging questions often require you to answer on the spot and you can’t afford to sit on the telephone to the Department of Labour or wade through the labour Acts. With this ultimate HR and labour tool, you can empower your managers to deal with everyday HR and labour issues themselves.

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