Schools provide a unique environment that can be considered a workplace and is shared by students who have a high need associated with care, due to their vulnerability. Accidents and incidents that occur in such a workplace cause pain and suffering not only to the affected individual, but also their family.
These accidents and injuries affect the ability to perform work and it affects the individual’s quality of life outside work. Many accidents and cases of occupational health at work can be attributed to failure in the effective management of safety, health and welfare. Costs resulting from occupational accidents can be substantial.
They can also result in further costs to the employer, including but not limited to:
- Sick pay, temporary replacement labour, early retirement, the recruiting of new labour and costs associated with retraining.
- The repair of damage to plant, equipment, materials, buildings and products.
- The cost of time spent in dealing with accidents.
- Increased insurance premiums due to an increase in risk factors and/or legal costs, and
- Compensation claims.
Who is responsible to ensure health and safety in schools?
The school is regarded as the employer in the eyes of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993). Thus, the employer is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the safety, health and well-being of its employees, staff and learners in the case of schools, and the safety, health and welfare of those who may be affected by the activities of the school.
What are the health and safety duties of staff and pupils?
The employer has legal obligations towards safety, health and welfare. They are not alone as employees; staff and pupils also have certain duties they must fulfil, including:
- To take reasonable care in protecting their own safety, health and welfare as well as the safety, health and welfare of any other person who may, in any way, be affected by the employee’s actions and omissions while in the workplace.
- To cooperate with the employer or any other person, as far as necessary so that the employer or any other person can comply with the relevant statutory provisions.
- To attend training and take instruction on the correct use of equipment and other articles.
- To make correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or other protective clothing provided for the employee’s safety.
- To report any of the following to the employer; work being carried out that may endanger the employee and/or others, defects in the workplace, the system of work, and any substance or article that may endanger the employee and/or others, any contravention of the relevant statutory provisions of which the employee is aware, and
- Not to engage in any conduct regarded improper or dangerous behaviour.
Employers, regardless of whether they operate in the private or public sector, must therefore provide a safe working environment for all employees and visitors to the premises.
Health and safety management in schools
The health and safety setting in schools must be a consistent process that aims to promote continuous improvement in the way it is managed. This system must be included in the overall management of the school and must include:
- School structure
- Planning activities
- Practices
- Procedures
- Resources associated with the development, implementation, review and maintenance of safety, health and welfare.
You might also be interested in SafetyWallet’s Health and Safety Compliance Support This management system must set out any issues to be addressed. In addition, it must be considered a tool that can be used in the developing and implementing of OHS programmes, self-audits and self-assessments, to ensure compliance. With the establishment and achieving of effective health and safety management, the following five factors must be considered:
- Policy and commitment
- Planning
- Implementation
- Performance management
- Audit review.
SafetyWallet and effective health and safety management in schools
SafetyWallet offers all employers and organisations across South Africa a unique subscription that allows them to become fully compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all other regulations and relevant legislation.
SafetyWallet’s unique services and solutions provide schools with the necessary tools, assistance and support to implement and maintain an effective OHS programme. It further ensures that the school can protect staff, learners and other involved parties.
By becoming a SafetyWallet subscriber, schools can ensure that they fulfil their legal duties and responsibilities as an employer, and that the systems in place at the school are effective in safeguarding the health and safety of all employees and visitors to the school’s premises. It also provides a structured path towards consistent improvement and maintenance once compliance is achieved. 
