How to report unhealthy or unsafe working conditions
Report unsafe or unhealthy conditions to the Employer or Health and Safety Representative as soon as possible. If employees are involved in an accident that may affect their health or cause an injury, they should report the incident to the employer and authorised person or the Occupational, Health and Safety Representative as soon as possible, but not later than the end of the shift during which the incident occurred. Unless the circumstances were such that the reporting of the incident was not possible in which case the employee must report the incident as soon as is practically possible. Before you report, you need to first know how to identify the risk.
Identifying hazards in the workplace
Once the hazards are identified, work out which group of people may be put at risk and identify how they may be harmed, which type of injury or ill health might occur. Some workers have particular requirements, pregnant women, inexperienced workers, cleaners, visitors.
Now that the risks are identified, it has to be decided how to deal with them. You can do this by risk elimination, segregation, substitution, procedures, training and information and finally providing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Calculation of risk
The calculation of risk is based on the following:
Likelihood or probability of the harm being realised and the severity of the consequences.
This can be expressed mathematically as a quantitative assessment by assigning low, medium and high likelihood and severity with integers and multiplying them to obtain a risk factor, or qualitatively as a description of the circumstances by which the harm could arise.
The assessment should be recorded and reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change to work practices.
The assessment should include practical recommendations to control the risk.
Once the recommended controls are implemented, the risk should be re-calculated to determine if it has been lowered to an acceptable level.
Generally speaking, newly introduced controls should lower risk by one level, i.e. from high to medium or from medium to low.
Workplace risk considerations
Risk management involves identifying what hazards exist in your workplace, assessing the risk of each, eliminating or controlling these risks and reviewing the risk assessments and controlling measures.
The process commences with the employer taking reasonable care to identify the risks associated with, but not limited to:
- Work premises
- Work practices, systems and shift working arrangements (including hazardous processes, psychological and fatigue-related hazards)
- Plant, including the transport, installation, erection, commissioning, use, repair, maintenance, dismantling, storage or disposal of the plant
- Hazardous substances, including the production, handling, use, storage, transport or disposal of hazardous substances
- Presence of asbestos
- Manual handling, including the potential for occupational overuse injuries
- Layout and condition of the workplace e.g. lighting and workstation design
- Physical working environment (including the potential for any one or more of electrocution; drowning; fire or explosion; people slipping, tripping or falling; contact with moving objects; exposure to noise, heat, cold, vibration, radiation, static electricity or a contaminated atmosphere)
- Potential for workplace violence and biological hazards
Health and Safety Risk Assessment
A Health and Safety Risk Assessment that leads to improvements in health and safety preventing accidents need not cost a lot. Focused improvements that mean major accidents will be avoided are usually low-cost; costs less and does not impinge on downtime or productivity.
There are five steps to risk assessment. The five steps are:
Step 1: Identify the hazards
Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how
Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on precaution
Step 4: Record your findings and implement them
Step 5: Review your assessment and update if necessary
Identify the workplace hazards
First, you need to work out how people could be harmed. When you work in a place every day it is easy to overlook some hazards. Here are some tips to help you identify the ones that matter:
The Public Health Hazardous Substances Act No.15 of 1973 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act No.85 of 1993 will give practical guidance on where hazards occur and how to control them.
Decide who might be harmed and how
For each hazard, you need to be clear about who might be harmed; it will help you identify the best way of managing the risk. That doesn’t mean listing everyone by name, but rather identifying groups of people (e.g. ‘people working in the storeroom’ or ‘passers-by’).
In each case, identify how they might be harmed, i.e. what type of injury or ill health might occur. For example, a shelf stacker may suffer back injury from repeated lifting of boxes.
Some workers have particular requirements, e.g. new and young workers, new or expectant mothers and people with disabilities may be at particular risk. Extra thought will be needed for some hazards.
Cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers, etc, who may not be in the workplace all the time; members of the public, if they could be hurt by your activities; if you share your workplace, you will need to think about how your work affects others present, as well as how their work affects your staff, talk to them and ask your staff if they can think of anyone you may have missed.
Evaluate workplace risks and decide on precautions
Having spotted the hazards, you then have to decide what to do about them. The law requires you to do everything ‘reasonably practicable’ to protect people from harm. You can work this out for yourself, but the easiest way is to compare what you are doing with good practice.
So first, look at what you’re already doing; think about what controls you have in place and how the work is organised. Then compare this with the good practice and see if there’s more you should be doing to bring yourself up to standard. In asking yourself this, consider: Can I get rid of the hazard altogether? If not, how can I control the risks so that harm is unlikely?
When controlling risks, apply the principles below, if possible in the following order:
- Try a less risky option (e.g. switch to using a less hazardous chemical)
- Prevent access to the hazard (e.g. by guarding)
- Organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard (e.g. put barriers between pedestrians and traffic)
- Issue personal protective equipment (e.g. clothing, footwear, goggles etc)
- Provide welfare facilities (e.g. first aid and washing facilities for removal of contamination)
Record and report your findings and implement them
Writing down the results of your risk assessment, and sharing them with your staff, encourages you to do this. If you have fewer than five employees you do not have to write anything down, though it is useful so that you can review it at a later date if, for example, something changes.
We do not expect a risk assessment to be perfect, but it must be suitable and sufficient. You need to be able to show that:
- A proper check was made; you asked who might be affected;
- You dealt with all the significant hazards, taking into account the number of people who could be involved;
- The precautions are reasonable, and the remaining risk is low;
You involve your staff or their representatives in the process.
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Review your risk assessment and update if necessary
The following information is applicable for the reviewing of your risk assessment:
- Few workplaces stay the same. Sooner or later, you will bring in new equipment, substances and procedures that could lead to new hazards. It makes sense, therefore, to review what you are doing on an ongoing basis. Every year or so formally review where you are, to make sure you are still improving, or at least not sliding back.
- Look at your risk assessment again. Have there been any changes? Are there improvements you still need to make? Have your workers spotted a problem? Have you learnt anything from accidents or near misses? Make sure your risk assessment stays up to date.
- When you are running a business it’s all too easy to forget about reviewing your risk assessment, until something has gone wrong and it’s too late. Why not set a review date for this risk assessment now? Write it down and note it in your diary as an annual event.
- During the year, if there is a significant change, don’t wait. Check your risk assessment and, where necessary, amend it. If possible, it is best to think about the risk assessment when you’re planning your change, that way you leave yourself more flexibility.
Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Determining Controls
The Managing Director shall ensure that all hazards associated with its activities are assessed for risk so that precautions can be identified and actioned before work commences. The following aspects will be considered for risk assessment from preparation:
- Routine and non-routine activities
- Hazards originating externally to the workplace
- Work operations including contractor activities
- Use of infrastructure, equipment and materials
- Whenever a change occurs to systems, processes, equipment and materials etc
- Change in legislation
- Emergency situations and potential incidents e.g. fire, accidents
- Contractors and visitors to the workplace
- The capabilities of personnel including human behaviour
Comments (17)
There is a company in Newtown Johannesburg BCRS 1 Rahima Moosa street. They don't have fire extinguishers at all no first-aid box and their forklift is being driven by unlicensed guys. In the yard as well as on public roads.
2022-11-27 07:03:04BEE Modern Homes The company is not registered for Workman’s compensation. Workers work on high buildings- no rope access training, no safety training. No toolbox talks, no protective gear , they employ casual workers from street corners without COVID screening Where do I report it? I had a work injury and the manager just laughed at me
2022-04-25 09:26:06Unsafe working place with no warning signs, and none proper training for people to operate heavy machinery.
2021-05-28 08:37:09I have just come from HI-Q Constantia kloof, The workers there are working under really dangerous conditions. The welder badly burnt his foot as the hot metal went through his shoe as they don't give them boots or overalls or gloves nothing. I'm not sure what can be done, but it's really bad.
2022-06-30 17:56:49Good Day I work at Bradian Logistics Solutions Pty Ltd at Longmeadow. The health and safety of its employees is being compromised the toilets haven't been flushing for a week now since last week Wednesday. There hasn't been any water as well on the premises yet we have to be at work and have to use the toilets that smell so bad. Worst part is that the toilets are always dirty regardless of the fact that there isn't any water at the moment or the past days. Dirty and smelly toilets is a thing in this company. The canteen is also very dirty, let me not even mention the tables. I know of a couple of people that got sick from their toilets. Something needs to be done real quick.
2023-07-17 12:10:11Good Day Anonymous Thank you for your concerns in our comments section... We are not the authorised body, you will have to contact the Department of Employment and Labour - Health Department and lodge a complaint, contact details below: Operating Hours: 07:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. Telephone Number: (011) 853 0300 Street Address: Department of Employment and Labour (Gauteng), 77 de Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
2023-07-18 07:55:55Good Morning Who can I contact to report unhealthy and dangerous working conditions of a neighbouring business? Huge tires gets stored in the street itself and huge amounts of oil gets spilled in the road / driveway. Not only is this a health risk when it comes to fumes and flammability of spilled material, it becomes a danger for motor vehicles that needs to drive on the contaminated and slippery tar surfaces. Regards
2021-07-23 08:10:29We are still occupying the building yet the contractors have started demolishing it,is this legally right and what can be done?
2021-02-24 05:47:24Good Morning I would like to remain anonymous due to work related reasons. We have a generator for load shedding however when it is operational, the fumes fill up the offices we work in. This causes headaches and been sick more than one occasion. I have started itching which I have never experienced. The fumes are unbearable and cannot work in these conditions when the generator is operational. Can someone please inspect as this effects many staff members. Meersig Building 1 Second floor Co Upper Lake Rd and Constantia Boulevard Constantia Kloof
2022-10-27 09:18:19Hi how do I go about reporting my imployer for the unsafe workplace. Because it's been four years sins we got safty clothing every day we are threatened and abused. Imployees have to drive fourclifts with out license operant a over head crane with out license and work in very unsafe conditions. Can you please help.
2022-02-12 04:19:54I am embarrassed to have to put forward this complaint. I have been to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on several occasions, mostly at sunrise or just before office hours are over and this Is what one is accustomed too. Unsanitary working environment The conditions are appalling, this being a government institution one would expect that the highest standard of hygienic and safety protocols would have been implemented since the start of this pandemic I was disgusted at the condition of the toilet which looked as though it had not been washed in days. The women in the permit department have sanitizers with which they have to wipe their office furniture and use on themselves in the mornings and just before they leave for the day. The offices are maintained in unsavoury conditions thus questioning further of what provisions are available to keep their environment safe I am appalled to know that government institutions as large as this who are constantly reminding us of how important it is to be mindful of our surroundings and personal hygiene. I would like to know why the government officials would allow their employees to work under such an unsafe environment that is not controlled nor monitored. Regulations have been put into place to ensure public and private entities contain their environment. I I don’t need to remind the persons lack of responsibility that these employees and visitors come into contact with more people outside of the department. Everyone is entitled to work under safe and hygienic conditions with or without a pandemic to enforce in play, I implore you to take this further and help the people that are unable to help themselves as I am certain these offices are a breeding ground for disease, ill health and lack of safety precautions.
2020-10-15 07:45:14Where in the law is it written that a company can be held liable if they have officially been notified of a safety risk and did not do anything about it? That is if someone was injured due to this safety risk. Regards From Robert Roode
2022-08-12 12:36:23Where in the law is it written that a company can be held liable if they have officially been notified of a safety risk and did not do anything about it? That is if someone was injured due to this safety risk. Regards From Robert Roode
2022-08-12 12:36:28I would like to report an OK store in Bisho Eastern Cape. The store is in an Engen Garage. They are overworking their staff as a result they are always sick. When staff resign they do not replace instead thwy load all the additional work on the staff remaining. The working conditions are unbearable. The management does not seem to care about the employees and work them like slaves. Terrible working conditions and health and safety protocols are not even observed.
2023-02-22 08:03:42Good Day Anonymous Thank you for your request via our comments... Unfortunately, we are the the authorised body, you would have to report this matter to your local Department of Employment and Labour...
2023-02-23 09:27:18Hi Good Morning my Name is Pierre Joubert a Fully registered H S E and Traffic Officer for the last 17 years and I was appointed at a Construction Company for a duration of contract. With my Interview with the Company H S E Manager the first thing he said to me if you stop a unsafe job the company will fire you, according to me he is a uncompentent H S E Officer to tell me this but because i needed the work I accepted the position. I then was given two sites, When I arrived on Site I found out that the Traffic Officer had no Qualification, at all and the site agent told me he don't have to be Qualified or to have any certificates because he has 6 years experience in Traffic , I the also found out that they did not done any Site Establishment , No Medicals , Competency Certificates for the Plant Operators , workers working on site with no P P E wearing Beach Plakkies, Takkies , No Toilets for the workers, Woman and Men, I was not given Time to do proper Inductions, there Company H S E Manager told me i must show them a video and let the sign the induction but this must be done in the field in the sun, 30 people at the time, I then wrote a report to the H S E Manager of the Company and report this unsafe condition to all the Managers of this Company, I then received a Email from the H S E that they are working on a fast pace and we are not here to hold hands no Manager , Director, Site Agent or Contract Manager replied to my report , I then decided to resign because of the risk and hazards on site, no First Aid Kids , no Fire Extinguishers at Critical areas like Diesel Tanks, No First Aid boxes for the office on site or myself as the First Aider. According to me this H S E Manager is also registered with SACPMCP and SAIOSH but not competent at all and I think he was being influenced my Management very root and think he is in control , I printed all my reports and E Mails as proof. What can I do about this situation because it seems like a norm on most construction Sites. Thank you God Bless
2022-03-09 05:52:20Hi, How do I report my employer for unsafe working conditions and endangering our health as we working with harmful substances and no protective gear and it's affecting me personally negatively as I suffer from sinus and now my nose bleeds daily due to the thi gs we work with (potassium) amongst everything
2020-05-25 16:59:21Thank you for sharing this useful information. I eagerly look forward to your next post! Thank you for sharing this informative and entertaining material with us!
2022-03-22 12:01:37We as business owners are sick and tired to complaint about this, but no one is doing anything about it at all. There is a business owner who has his business in a centre close to a Save More Spar. Address and place: Just Stone Projects, Shop 1, Eastridge Design Centre, Graham Rd, Zwavelpoort, Pretoria, 0186. This owner is seriously not working correctly at all with his staff or his staff does not know the law regulations to take him on. He gives the staff contracts but change these contracts apparently as he pleases. He is also deducting unfairly money that is owed to them. The problem here is that the buildings he is using or at his factory has any health & safety regulations in place. No medical box or fire extinguishers are available on these premises. The place is in a serious state. Staff gets injured on duty while working with equipment and no incident gets reported or filled. He doesn't even take the staff who gets injured to hospital. He employees mostly Zimbabweans and Malawi staff. The water taps are open the whole day in the factory while the electrical equipment is on. Extensions is hanging close to the water. Customers and other visitors go to the factory to see the business material. The factory is not even a safe zone. The owner has no basic of condition act or labour law posters up or any other signage up for safety precautions. No staff member is even wearing any PPE at all. How fair is this too other businesses or even to people. We as business owners here that feel so unsafe with them. Nobody is visiting this place at all to see the unhealthy situation. How do we help others to be safe around unsafe places like this. Should we wait till an accident occurred or when people start dying when a serious accident occurred?
2023-07-04 08:10:39Good Day Anonymous Thank you for your time and effort to address this issue, we appreciate your caring for people... This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and should be reported to the correct Authorities... Please take the time and follow this link and report this to Department of Employment and Labour: https://www.labour.gov.za/Contacts/Minister-office/Pretoria-Office
2023-07-05 08:21:04