Ironically, it may be difficult to associate Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) within the education system but these ever-changing landscape demands sound Health and Safety precautions. A growing trend in acts of violence in South African schools further emphasises this need.
This scenario is underscored by the fact that, on average, 60 people are injured every day in places of learning such as schools, colleges and universities. It is not only students but also their teachers who need to be kept safe and healthy.
When it comes to OHS demands, every industry is unique. The education industry has different elements of low and high risks and some of these were recently pinpointed in a Government white paper.
Standard OHS elements include:
- Fire escapes
- Emergency exits
- Safety signage
- Regular drills
High-risk OHS elements such as:
- Injuries sustained during tours or sporting events
- Health and safety aspects concomitant with organised school tours
- Safety measures and legal documentation of school transportation
- Recognition of student health preventing participation in physical training or sporting events
- The installation of audible fire alarms and extinguishers on education premises
- Training of staff members to control emergencies such as bomb threats
Government endorses OHS
The importance of OHS at all levels of industry in the country has been publicly recognised by the Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi. His goal is to achieve a zero accident rate. Together with leaders in the OHS field, such as the nationwide MakroSafe consultancy, much success can be contributed towards Mr Nxesi’s vision.
SafetyWallet supported by MAKROSAFE has implemented programmes that eliminate risk and hazards within the industry environment. These are monitored by trained professionals who ensure that all levels of the industry are compliant with the OHS Act. With more than two decades of experience, MAKROSAFE provides services to thousands of South African organisations, acting as their OHS watchdog and advisor. The company has branches in major cities throughout the country.
SafetyWallet Rewards Programme
MAKROSAFE’s major trump card within the OHS environment is its SafetyWallet Rewards Programme. This enables industry players to achieve whopping returns on their health and safety investment.
The SafetyWallet is divided into four categories:
- Friend Circle (1- 50 Employees)
- Family Circle (51- 100 Employees)
- Champion Circle (101- 300 Employees)
- Pinnacle Circle (301+ Employees)
In terms of private education institutions such as schools, colleges and universities, the majority fall into the Pinnacle Circle. While this may be the most costly of the SafetyWallet programmes, the Pinnacle Circle offers a Return on Investment (ROI) of a staggering 627.5% on Maintenance and Health and Safety.
SafetyWallet supported by MAKROSAFE Offers a Total Health and Safety Solution
SafetyWallet’s Health and Safety solution in the education field is geared to achieve total coverage of all aspects of the OHS compliance regulations, powered by OHS Online. These include:
- Health and Safety Compliance Audit
The Health and Safety Compliance Audit is crucial in the South African education environment.
- MAKROSAFE ensures that these institutions are compliant with all aspects of the OHS Act, regulations, standards, as well as by-laws. They provide Health and Safety Auditor services for SafetyWallet.
- Risk Assessment
Health and Safety Risk Assessment forms an integral part of the OHS Act. This has to be conducted and monitored at regular intervals.
- MAKROSAFE identifies, manages and controls hazards and risks at educational institutions. This safeguards the health and safety of students, teachers and administrative staff members.
- OHS ONLINE Powers the cloud based ever growing online database where SafetyWallet members can easily access the resources available to them.
Implementation of Health and Safety Programmes
It requires a thorough understanding of every aspect of OHS legislation to ensure that basic Health and Safety strategies and procedures are adopted. It is also essential to meet compliance demands.
- The involvement of professionals in the Health and Safety field is necessary as this aspect of the OHS Act presents never-ending challenges to the education industry.
- SafetyWallet provides the cost effective solution that is needed in this industry.
Inspections
Regular inspections can prevent fatalities, accidents, incidents, injuries and illnesses.
- MAKROSAFE oversees that thorough inspections are conducted to identify existing and potential hazards. It then introduces a corrective plan-of-action to overcome these problem areas.
- SafetyWallet provides the tools to their members to easily capture inspections on mobile devices to keep the inspections up to date and safe and secure in the database.
Injuries on Duty (IOD)
This aspect of Health and Safety at the education-level should be placed in the hands of professionals. Injuries on Duty services prevent accidents and the time-consuming process of administrative follow-ups with authorities.
- IOD’s require an in-depth understanding of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, as well as the OHS Act.
Additional Services
MAKROSAFE offers several additional services to augment its overall Health and Safety portfolio. Some of these include:
- Managing and Tracking IOD’s
- Arranging and Managing Medicals
- Refilling and providing first aid boxes
- Servicing fire equipment
- Site Files
- Evacuation plans
- First Aid and Firefighting training
- Emergency preparedness
Overview
The Education Services Industry operates at both public and private level. These institutions include schools, colleges, training centres and universities. OHS responsibilities are far-reaching and involve aspects such as:
- Safety precautions at sports events and school tours such as insurance against accidents, injuries, medical costs and hospitalisation
- Adult supervision
- The provision of transportation, such as school buses that must be roadworthy, insured and operated by a driver with a valid driver’s licence
- Physical training and participation in sports events must exclude children with health problems
- Teaching students safety precautions regarding activities involving water such as swimming pools, rivers, dams or the ocean
- Ensuring proper emergency evacuation procedures
- Prominently displaying emergency evacuation procedures in offices, classrooms and other public areas of the building
- Regular fire drills
- The installation of audible fire alarms and operational fire extinguishers
- Teaching both staff members and students how to operate fire extinguishers
- The implementation of recognised bomb threat procedures
MAKROSAFE is a widely recognised and respected OHS consultancy that implements programmes supported and managed by state-of-the-art technological systems. With the rewards programme in SafetyWallet this ensures that the South African education industry service providers adhere to OHS standards cost effectively and achieve optimised results in the reduction of Health and Safety hazards.
