Injuries on Duty (IOD)

Injuries on duty

Impact of injuries on duty in the education industry: How to resolve the challenges and create a safe workplace

"The prevention of occupational accidents and diseases is a fundamental human right and an essential element of sustainable development." - International Labour Organization (ILO)

Impact of injuries on duty

Injuries on duty (IOD) in the education industry can have a significant impact on both employers and employees. For employers, injuries on duty can lead to increased costs, lost productivity, and reputational damage. For employees, injuries on duty can lead to pain and suffering, financial hardship, and even death.

Let us know what your IOD needs are by contacting us today.

Challenges

There are a number of challenges that employers in the education industry face in preventing injuries on duty. These include:

  • The increasing number of students with special needs, who may require more assistance and supervision.
  • The increasing workload on teachers and other staff, which can lead to fatigue and stress.
  • The lack of resources to implement safety measures, such as training and maintenance.
  • The culture of silence around safety incidents, which can prevent them from being reported and investigated properly.
Solutions

There are a number of things that employers can do to resolve the challenges of workplace hazards in the education industry. These include:

  • Conducting regular risk assessments: This will help to identify and assess hazards in the workplace, and to implement appropriate control measures.
  • Providing training to all staff on safety procedures: This training should cover topics such as hazard identification and risk assessment, manual handling, and emergency procedures.
  • Developing and implementing safe operating procedures (SOPs): SOPs should be developed for all tasks that carry a risk of injury.
  • Creating a culture of safety in the workplace: This can be done by encouraging staff to report all safety incidents, and by taking action to address any hazards that are identified.

OHSA requirements

The OHSA places a number of legal requirements on employers in the education industry to prevent injuries on duty. These requirements include:

  • Providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees.
  • Identifying and assessing hazards in the workplace.
  • Implementing appropriate control measures to eliminate or reduce hazards.
  • Providing training to all staff on safety procedures.
  • Reporting all accidents and injuries to the Department of Employment and Labour.
How Makrosafe can help

MAKROSAFE can assist employers in the education industry with accident prevention in the workplace and thus  reduce the risk of injuries on duty. Our services include:

  • Risk assessments
  • Safety training
  • Development and implementation of SOPs
  • Assistance with OHSA safety compliance

If you are an employer in the education industry, and you are concerned about the risk of injuries on duty, please contact Makrosafe today. We can help you to improve your workplace safety and create a safer environment for all of your staff.

Additional suggestions for resolving the challenges of injuries on duty in the education industry:
  • Provide adequate staffing levels: This will help to reduce the workload on staff and reduce the risk of fatigue and stress.
  • Implement a culture of reporting and investigating safety incidents: This will help with hazard identification and address hazards before they lead to injuries.
  • Involve workers in the development and implementation of safety measures: This will help to ensure that safety measures are relevant and effective.
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of safety measures: This will help to identify any areas where improvement is needed.
How the use of risk assessments, toolbox talks, SOPs, etc would help to resolve challenges and create a safe workplace through suggested control measures:
  • Risk assessments: Risk assessments can help to identify and assess hazards in the workplace, and to implement appropriate control measures. For example, a risk assessment of a science laboratory may identify hazards such as exposure to hazardous chemicals and sharp objects. Control measures to reduce these hazards may include providing staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) and training on how to safely use hazardous chemicals and sharp objects.
  • Toolbox talks: Toolbox talks are short, informal talks that can be used to raise awareness of safety issues and to train staff on safety procedures. For example, a toolbox talk on slips, trips, and falls could cover topics such as how to identify and avoid hazards, and how to safely use ladders and other equipment.
  • SOPs: SOPs are written instructions that describe how to safely perform a task. For example, an SOP for manual handling could cover topics such as how to lift and carry heavy objects safely, and how to use mechanical aids.

Contact us today for all your IOD needs.

 

Examples of control measures to reduce the risk of injuries on duty in the education industry:
  • Slips, trips, and falls: Provide non-slip flooring, keep walkways free of clutter, and ensure that adequate lighting is provided.
  • Manual handling injuries: Provide training on safe manual handling techniques and use mechanical aids, such as trolleys and hoists, to reduce the need for manual handling.
  • Assaults by students: Implement a behavior management plan and train staff on how to deal with difficult behavior.
  • Exposure to hazardous substances: Provide staff with PPE and training on how to safely use hazardous substances.

How proactively controlling and reporting injuries on duty is a legal requirement in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA):

The OHSA places a number of legal requirements on employers to control and report injuries on duty. These requirements include:

  • Identifying and assessing hazards in the workplace: This will help to identify risks of injury and to implement appropriate control measures.
  • Implementing appropriate control measures to eliminate or reduce hazards: This may include providing PPE, training staff on safe work practices, and maintaining equipment in good condition.
  • Reporting all accidents and injuries to the Department of Employment and Labour: This will help to track the incidence of injuries on duty and to identify areas where improvement is needed.

How to avoid hazard and risk in Schools with MAKROSAFE:

MAKROSAFE can assist employers in the education industry to improve their workplaces and reduce the risk of injuries on duty in a number of ways, including:

  • Conducting risk assessments: MAKROSAFE can help employers to identify and assess hazards in the workplace, and to implement appropriate control measures.
  • Providing safety training: MAKROSAFE provides a range of safety training courses, including courses on risk assessment, manual handling, and emergency procedures.
  • Developing and implementing SOPs: MAKROSAFE can help employers to develop and implement SOPs for all tasks that carry a risk of injury.
  • Assisting with OHSA compliance: MAKROSAFE can help employers to comply with the requirements of the OHSA.
 

If you are an employer in the education industry, and you are concerned about the risk of injuries on duty, please contact MAKROSAFE today. We can help you to improve your workplace safety and create a safer environment for all of your staff.

Injuries on duty can have a significant impact on both employers and employees in the education industry. By taking steps to prevent and manage injuries on duty, employers can create a safer workplace for all and reduce the associated costs. MAKROSAFE can assist employers in the education industry to improve their workplaces and reduce the risk of injuries on duty.

Reference to South African Health and Safety legislation:

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is the primary piece of legislation governing workplace safety in South Africa.

The OHSA places a number of legal requirements on employers to prevent injuries on duty. These requirements include providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees, identifying and assessing hazards in the workplace, implementing appropriate control measures to eliminate or reduce hazards, and providing training to all staff on safety procedures.

For more information or assistance, please contact us.

Click on the image below to find a SafetyWallet Solution that suits your business (Branch/Site specific) and get the 21 benefits along with the subscription:

SafetyWallet

A Resounding Call for Safety Compliance

Safety echoes loud and clear as a non-negotiable. At MAKROSAFE, we're poised to navigate the maze of regulations, guiding you to become Health and Safety Compliant according to the South African Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and Regulations.

Keeping your workplace legally Health and Safety Compliant may seem like a daunting task. At MAKROSAFE, we have an experienced team of OHS experts available to assist in keeping your company Health and Safety Compliant according to South African Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and Regulations.

By signing up with our Health and Safety Risk Control Package, MAKROSAFE will assist you with your Risk Management journey. We can also assist with any queries that you might have pertaining to IOD Claims or IOD Claims Procedure.

To find out what other Additional Services we offer, please click on the picture below:

MAKROSAFE / SAFETYWALLET / MY SAFETY SHOP are in Partnership.