Covid-19 workplace health and safety response planSouth Africans have been living in lockdown since 26 March when President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a Covid-19 state of disaster. This followed in the footsteps of countries worldwide, all hard-hit by the pandemic. Since then, South Africa has moved from Level 5 to 4 and is now on the verge of further relaxations when entering Level 3 at the end of May. However, business owners will have to be more vigilant than in the past, because the return of millions of more people into the workplace will increase the danger of contamination by the virus. Covid-19 health and safety workplace response plans will play a major role in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Employers can take a leaf from the response plan developed by AECI, a large South African chemical manufacturer, which has appointed a task team to handle its Covid-19 operations. Their strategy is to prevent and minimise the spread of Covid-19 while making sure that the business operates as usual. Synopsis of Covid-19Covid-19 is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales. Much like influenza, airborne droplets land on surfaces where they can survive for up to nine days. Anyone who touches the contaminated surface, and then touches their face, can become infected with the virus. They can also become infected by a Covid-19 sufferer standing within one metre and who exhales droplets. Symptoms will appear between two to 14 days after infection. Download your FREE Covid-19 Back to Work Prevention Kit Workplace response plan
Risks and hazardsFor many industries, Level 3 heralds a return to full production. This leaves employers with little time to dedicate to other tasks, like addressing Covid-19 risks and hazards. In the face of the pandemic, businesses that have been idle or operating at reduced production levels have to address the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act Covid-19 compliance requirements. Risk assessments must be conducted as a matter of urgency. Adhering to the adage of “time is money”, employers should look no further than OHS specialists, MAKROSAFE and SafetyWallet, to help them through this trying period in the country’s history. MAKROSAFE and risk assessors help employers to identify risks in the workplace that pose threats to the health and safety of workers. Working according to set protocols, the assessors then implement measures to control each risk. Employers have a legal obligation to protect the health and safety of their workers, or outside contractors and customers visiting the premises. COVID-19 risk assessments require:
MAKROSAFE monitors and re-evaluates risks and hazards every three months and clients are regularly briefed about problems in the workplace. SafetyWallet unique online system urges the user to monitor and re-evaluate risks and hazards at regular intervals. Covid-19 preventionMAKROSAFE and SafetyWallet has made an invaluable contribution to the fight against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. It has developed a Back to Work Covid-19 Prevention Kit available online at no cost to business owners. Armed with this manual, employers are given all the tools necessary to ensure the safety of their workplace. The Covid-19 Prevention Kit includes the following information:
Assessing this information, employers will realise that Covid-19 policies can change daily, depending on the severity of infections throughout the country. MAKROSAFE and SafetyWallet’s online Prevention Kits are updated every 24-hours, keeping employers up-to-date with the latest information and requirements. By downloading this free online service, employers also have access to Covid-19 posters that must be printed out and prominently displayed at strategic points throughout the premises. They can also download and print the all-important mandatory daily checklists demanded by Covid-19 regulations. These checklists cover the daily screening of employees for symptoms of the virus and daily disinfection of all working surfaces and objects handled by workers. The cherry on the topThe cherry on the top of the free Covid-19 Workplace Prevention Kit is that MAKROSAFE and SafetyWallet are also offering employees a free 20-minute face-to-face consultation via Zoom or Skype. Business owners can use this opportunity, with no strings attached, to discuss workplace problems involving Covid-19 risks and hazards. MAKROSAFE’s highly trained and qualified professional assessors will advise business owners and suggest plans of action to overcome any hurdles.
| ||