SWP can assist with Auditing, Implementation of a Safety Management System and Issuing of Safety Certificates:

Safe Working Practice can do audits on any premises in the respective Manufacturing Industries to assist with Health and Safety compliance. As seen in the Occupational Health and Safety Act below, it is the duty of the employer to ensure the safety of the employees. To assist employers with compliance with the Act Safe Working Practice will follow the process below.

Safety Management System and Premises Audits

SWP conducts an initial audit of the manufacturing facilities regarding the building, the offices, the actual production plants including machine set up, the stacking and storage of raw materials and finished products, the receiving and dispatch areas, etc. to identify Hazards and Risks. Included in the initial audit is the administration audit on the existing Safety Management System. After the audit a comprehensive report will be compiled and issued for actioning. SWP will then discuss the report in detail and elaborate on the Act and Regulations’ requirements. If the current Management System and the premises scores above 80% a Safety Certificate can be issued (if required).

SWP will then supply the client with a Safety Management System (if required or the current system is not sufficient), this includes Legal Appointments, Risk Assessments and Safe Work Procedures. Emergency Evacuation Plans can also be compiled and issued on request.

SWP will train management and staff on how to use the Safety Management System and assist with the setup of Safety Committees. If required, SWP will chair the meetings and can also assist with Toolbox Talks (inhouse training).

We would then recommend monthly follow-up audits to assist management with the implementation of systems and advise on possible improvements required. SWP will assist management in identifying Training Requirements of staff and source accredited service providers. At this point the scores should be above 80% and a Safety Certificate can be issued (if required).

Safety Agent Function

Acting as Safety agent on behalf of management controlling any upgrading of machines or building requirements according to Construction Regulations Section 4.

Agricultural Industry

Our current client base is spread across the industry, ranging from wine, fruit, abalone, poultry, dairy, mushroom, cattle, crop forms, cheese factories etc.

For example, in the Western Cape, we assisted wine farms with compliance, one of their biggest hazards is working in confined spaces when employees clean the fermentation tanks. The fumes are odourless, colourless and deadly. On the wine farm audits SWP issues a report for actioning, assists the client with the forming of the H&S committee, supply the client with a Safety Management System (as applicable) and assist with the implementation.

Automotive Industry

Most of the vehicle repair garages have an office and a workshop area which both fall under different sections of the Act and Regulations. Audits in the workshop are always interesting, due to the sheer amount of different Regulations that must be referred to. Not all of the employers area aware of the fact that the operator of a hydraulic lift falls under the section of “Lifting Equipment” in the Act, and the employee must have a training certificate. SWP assists clients with becoming legally compliant.

SWP is also assisting a panel beating franchise with their OHS on a national basis.

As per the Occupational Health and Safety Act:

7.  Health and safety policy
(1) The chief inspector may direct-
     (a) any employer in writing; and
     (b) any category of employers by notice in the Gazette, to prepare a written policy concerning the protection of the health and safety of his employees at work, including a description of   his organization and the arrangements for carrying out and reviewing that policy.
(2) Any direction under subsection (1) shall be accompanied by guidelines concerning the contents of the policy concerned.
(3) An employer shall prominently display a copy of the policy referred to in subsection (1), signed by the chief executive officer, in the workplace where his employees normally report for service.

8.  General duties of employers to their employees
(1) Every employer shall provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of his   employees.
(2) Without derogating from the generality of an employer’s duties under subsection (1), the matters to which those duties refer include in particular-
     (a) the provision and maintenance of systems of work, plant and machinery that, as far as is reasonably practicable, are safe and without risks to health;
     (b) taking such steps as may be reasonably practicable to eliminate or mitigate any hazard or potential hazard to the safety or health of employees, before resorting to personal protective equipment;
     (c) making arrangements for ensuring, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the production, processing, use, handling, storage or transport of articles or substances;
     (d) establishing, as far as is reasonably practicable, what hazards to the health or safety of persons are attached to any work which is performed, any article or substance which is produced, processed, used, handled, stored or transported and any plant or machinery which is used in his business, and he shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, further establish what precautionary measures should be taken with respect to such work, article, substance, plant or machinery in order to protect the health and safety of persons, and he shall provide the necessary means to apply such precautionary measures;
     (e) providing such information, instructions, training and supervision as may be necessary to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees;
     (f) as far as is reasonably practicable, not permitting any employee to do any work or to produce, process, use, handle, store or transport any article or substance or to operate any plant or machinery, unless the precautionary measures contemplated in paragraphs (b) and (d), or any other precautionary measures which may be prescribed, have been taken;
     (g) taking all necessary measures to ensure that the requirements of this Act are complied with by every person in his employment or on premises under his control where plant or machinery is used;
     (h) enforcing such measures as may be necessary in the interest of health and safety;
     (i) ensuring that work is performed and that plant or machinery is used under the general supervision of a person trained to understand the hazards associated with it and who have the authority to ensure that precautionary measures taken by the employer are implemented; and
     (j) causing all employees to be informed regarding the scope of their authority as contemplated in section 37 (1) (b).