Compliance to health and safety means that East Rand employers conform to a rule, such as a specification, policy, standard or law. In this case, it will refer specifically to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (85 of 1993), making OHS compliance a prevalent business concern. This can be attributed to the number of regulations that continue to increase, requiring business to be vigilant in maintaining both full and working understanding of requirements towards regulatory compliance. OHS strategies may, however, differ between industries, but businesses that have employees must ensure that an effective safety plan is in place. Acts exist as they govern the way in which businesses operate and in South Africa, the Occupational Health and Safety Act dictates this. Despite the industry, company size or the nature of business of the organisation, employers have legal duties towards their employees as well as visitors to the premises and the public. These duties are clearly stipulated in Section 8 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Employers are legally obligated to provide a work environment that does not pose any risk to the health and/or safety of employees. According to Section 14 of the Act, employees have the responsibility to ensure that they safeguard their own health and safety and that of fellow employees. Employees are therefore also obligated to comply with all health and safety procedures implemented by their employers. Employees may only perform work in an area that has been declared void of risks and hazards. This requires that employers take the necessary steps to ensure that the workplace remains free of such risks and hazards. The purpose of the SafetyWallet Health and Safety Compliance Audit is to ensure that employers provide a safe workplace that complies with the requirements indicated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. 
Workplace health and safety involves the implementation, promotion and consistent maintenance of the highest level of physical, mental and social well-being of those who work in an area, as well as those who may visit the premises. In addition, it involves preventing that working conditions contribute to or cause adverse issues relating to health, injuries, illnesses and even death. These challenges can, however, be faced effectively by involving health and safety professionals (such as SafetyWallet) and once the necessary steps have been taken to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, employees may uphold these standards. A health and safety compliance audit is one way to ensure that the requirements have been met; however, the following must also be in place:
- Easy access to the OHS Act.
- Proper and effective personal protective equipment.
- Proper and thorough maintenance of machinery and access control to machines to prevent unauthorised access.
- Safety training and site inductions.
- Health and safety officers and other relevant safety personnel.
- Injury on duty (IOD) reports, registers and other documentation.
- Health and safety policies.
When is a health and safety compliance certificate issued?
The health and safety compliance certificate can only be issued following the successful completion of a health and safety compliance audit. This must be conducted on the premises of the business or employer, and there must be clear compliance with the requirements. Health and safety in the workplace revolves around the identification, mitigation and elimination, where practically possible, of hazards and risks that could result in incidents or harm to individuals. There are numerous ways in which the levels of health and safety in a workplace can be established. Inspections can be done by OHS personnel; however, to do an in-depth examination of compliance, employers are urged to have a SafetyWallet Health and Safety Compliance Audit conducted. Once the SafetyWallet subscriber has been found competent, they will be given a Health and Safety Compliance Certificate.
How long does certification last?
The Health and Safety Compliance Certificate is only valid for one year. Once the compliance audit has been conducted and the certificate has subsequently been issued, another audit must be conducted within a year to have the certificate reissued.
What can be expected from a SafetyWallet Health and Safety Compliance Audit?
Once an employer has become a SafetyWallet subscriber, they can book an audit online. During the audit, the SafetyWallet auditor will review the aspects contained in the health and safety programme of the subscriber. These aspects will then be weighed against the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, as well as other applicable legislation, national standards and by-laws, and SafetyWallet’s audit protocol. The SafetyWallet auditor will assess the effectiveness of implementation of such arrangements, inspect the premises and sample operational activities. Following this, key personnel will be interviewed and their roles and responsibilities will be confidentially discussed in relevance with the occupational health and safety. As soon as the audit has been completed, the SafetyWallet auditor will proceed to compile the audit report. This will be presented to the SafetyWallet subscriber and their management team. The report will contain observations, recommendations and an action plan for consideration. 
