Food Drinks and Tobacco Industry Appointment Letters

Every employer who has more than twenty employees in his employment at any workplace, and within four months after commencing business or immediately the number of his employees exceeds twenty shall designate in writing for a specific period health and safety representatives for such workplace or different sections thereof.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the duties of the employer in terms of the Act are complied with. The CEO is however afforded the right to assign duties to any person to assist him with the implementation of these duties. The mere assignment of duties to other persons by the CEO shall not however relieve the employer of any responsibility or liability under the Act. The Act specifically dictates that the persons assigned by the CEO shall act under the CEO’s control and direction. The control and direction, as referred to in the Act, literally requires of the CEO to issue guidelines, establish communication channels, lay down standards and provide the appointees with the necessary training in order to implement and ensure compliance with the requirements of the Act. Ultimately the CEO shall thus remain responsible for the activities of the employer and employees.


By signing the appointment letter, the Assistant to CEO takes responsibility to ensure that the duties of the employer as contemplated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, are properly discharged in all areas of responsibility. The Assistant to CEO must familiarize himself / herself with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its Regulations and that all statutory requirements are met at all times.
The CEO should initiate the assignment of duties down as per section 16(2) of the Act which reads “Without derogating from his responsibility or liability in terms of subsection (1), a CEO may assign any duty contemplated in the said subsection, to any person under his control, which person shall act subject to the control and directions of the CEO”. A CEO may assign persons in terms of section 16(2) and these assignees may in tern assign down in terms of section 16(2).

Lifting Machine Operator Appointment Letter
In terms of this appointment, it is required to ensure that all lifting equipment in the area of responsibility meets the requirements of Driven Machinery Regulation 18.


Fire Fighting Equipment Inspector Appointment letter
Having regard to the size, construction and location of the workplace, and the amount and type of flammable articles used, handled, or stored on the premises, an employer shall provide on the premises an adequate supply of suitable fire-fighting equipment at strategic locations or as may be recommended by the fire chief of the local authority concerned, and such equipment shall be maintained in good working order. The intention of the legislator with this regulation was for such equipment to be inspected, at regular intervals, by a competent person (Fire Fighter) to ensure that it remains operational and accessible at all times. This regulation must be read in conjunction with the requirements of SABS 0105, which, in paragraph 8.1 requires of all employers to appoint a person to inspect fire extinguishers at intervals not exceeding one month.


Fire fighter / Member of the Fire Fighting Team Appointment Letter
Having regard to the size, construction and location of the workplace, and the amount and type of flammable articles used, handled, or stored on the premises, and employer shall provide on the premises an adequate supply of suitable fire-fighting equipment at strategic locations or as may be recommended by the fire chief of the local authority concerned, and such equipment shall be maintained in a good working order.


Health and Safety Representative Appointment Letter
Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), every employer who has more than 20 employees in his employment at any workplace, shall, within four months after the commencement of this Act or after commencing business, or from such time as the number of employees exceeds 20, as the case may be, designate in writing for a specified period health and safety representatives for such workplace, or for different sections thereof.