Univen employees and delegates from the Department of Labour photographed during the Health and Safety Workshop at Khoroni Hotel
In an effort to make the employers and employees aware of their health and safety in the workplace, the University of Venda (Univen)’s Human Resources Department co-ordinated the Health and Safety Workshop on 02 and 03 November 2017 at Khoroni Hotel, Thohoyandou.
Employer should provide healthy and safe work environment- Ms Mthethwa
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist at the Department of Labour, Ms Carol Mthethwa, said everyone in the work place is responsible for ensuring safety. “The duties of employer is to provide healthy and safe work environment, identify all hazards, assessing the risks, minimize employee exposure to risks; and to inform, instruct, supervise and train employees on the hazards they are exposed to,” Ms Mthethwa added.
Ms Mthethwa advised the employers not to allow anybody to work in unsafe or unhealthy conditions. “Give workers precautionary measures to follow,” Ms Mthethwa said.
Ms Mthethwa added that the duty of employees is to report unsafe and unhealthy conditions. “Take care of everyone’s safety. Carry out lawful orders and obey health and safety rules and instructions. Always report incidents to the employer his representative as soon as possible,” Mthethwa said.
She further added that in most cases the causes of incidents in the workplace result from failure to maintain machines and equipment, working alone in a field and in dilapidated building, lack of water in the building and working long hours without taking breaks.”
Mr Nemasetoni encouraged the attendees to report incidents as soon as possible
“The Compensation Fund is a public entity that reports to the Department of Labour. The fund is administered by Compensation for Occupational Injuries Diseases Act of 130/1993 (COIDA),” said Mr Vincent Nemasetoni Assistant Director from the Department of Labour.
Mr Nemasetoni outlined that the objective of the fund is to compensate employees who are injured or contract diseases through the course of their employment. He added that this also include death cases resulting from such injuries or diseases and to pay the reasonable medical expenses incurred.
Mr Nemasetoni said that employers must register with the compensation fund Section 80 of COID Act. “Employers must report the accident within 7 days and the occupational disease within 14 days. They must also provide free transport for the employee to see the doctor and grant special sick leave with full pay on accepted claim,” Mr Nemasetoni added.
“The employee must report the accident to the supervisor immediately either verbally or in writing. Furthermore, the employee must consult specialists for examination and treatment by the doctor of his or her choice. The Doctor must also assist the employer in obtaining medical reports.”
The employees who attended the workshop participating in group activities
Issued by:
Department of Communications and Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: 015 962 8525
Date: 13 November 2017
