Government urges business to observe Covid-19 safety protocols

THE Department of Employment and Labour has called for the observation of health and safety measures that will not expose employees to Covid-19.

In a statement, the department’s Director-General (DG), Thobile Lamati, said it is crucial that industries, businesses and entities, both private and in the public sector, take all the necessary care to ensure the safety of workers, their families and their clients and suppliers.

“All areas of business must designate a Covid-19 compliance officer who must develop, implement and oversee the plan containing measures to ensure that the workplace meets the standards of health protocols, adequate space for employees and social distancing measures for the public and service providers,” he said.

He said the department’s inspectors would continue to ensure that businesses and industries adhere to regulations.

In other Covid-19 related news: AfriForum, Solidarity to challenge state’s ‘monopoly’ on Covid-19 vaccine distribution

However, he emphasised that inspectors cannot be everywhere at the same time.

“In the last few weeks, the country has seen major outbreak and high prevalence of Covid-19 and it follows that workplaces are likely to experience significantly higher cases as asymptomatic or untested workers return. This is why issues of health and safety should be uppermost in the minds of employers and employees,” said the DG. In the level 3 adjusted lockdown that is currently in place, businesses are generally allowed to operate on condition that:

• Relevant health protocols and social distancing measures for persons employed in private residences are adhered to.
• Relevant health protocols and social distancing measures set out in directions must be adhered to, in addition to the occupational health and safety directions issued by the department and applicable labour legislation. Firms must adhere to any sector -specific health protocols intended to limit the spread of Covid-19 in the sector concerned.
• Sector -specific health protocols may address matters such as work rotation, staggered working hours, shift systems, remote working arrangements, special measures affecting persons with greater vulnerabilities or similar measures, in order to achieve social distancing, protect employees or limit congestion in public transport and at the workplace.
• Sector -specific health protocols implemented or be developed and issued in consultation with health department.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.  

For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram