An Introduction To Health And Safety In Schools
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) has ensured that places of work in South Africa are meticulously monitored to ensure legal compliance. However, these laws are not only in place for corporates, but also for the educational sector, including employees (teachers and other staff) and learners. Both private and public schools need to be aware of the various aspects of health and safety in the school environment.
Every school has elements of low and high risks when it comes to health and safety. Apart from the obvious precautions, such as fire escape routes and regular drills, there are a number of other hazards that are sometimes ignored. These include science laboratories, play areas, gymnasiums, sports fields, parking areas, and so on. Employees of the school, as well as learners and parents, are exposed to these hazards on a daily basis. The employer (school) needs to be fully compliant with the OHS Act, especially when considering potential civil actions for damages.
Although learners are not considered employees, the OHS Act still applies to their welfare. For example, the Act refers to cautions to be taken around machinery. There are a number of articles on the school premises that learners are exposed to or use, that fall into the machinery category. In this case, the employer (school) needs to fully comply with the regulations that are stipulated in this regard.
Health and safety can, however, be easily managed in the school environment with a structured approach. Our aim is to provide you with a system you can implement to maintain the necessary standards, and ensure your employees and learners are protected to the best of your ability. We believe in making sure your loved ones return home safe after work and school.
Comments (17)
To whom it may concern Please can you forward me some more information. Regards Claude Arendse
2017-06-19 12:28:11Hi Claude! Please would you send your details to: michelle@makrosafe.co.za. I will send you more info on Health and Safety in Schools.
2017-07-31 08:17:01Hi I'm an honours student at NWU. Can you please forward me more information with regards to the occupational health safety act with regards to education in South Africa please. We are currently doing research.
2020-11-22 15:16:27Good day We need to implement this at our school urgently, can you please help me or send me information. Regards Bianca
2023-06-28 13:24:39Dear Bianca Thank you for your request via our comments... I have sent you an email and look forward to assisting you going forward...
2023-06-29 08:21:38hi, im a masters student at Wits, I was following a few school and i realized that our high school teachers are experiencing a whole lot of stressors . One of them being the occupationa stessors . Is there a succssefull operating body that monitors ergonomics ,psychosocial issues that they face, Not safety not such psychiarty but specifically occupational health services
2019-07-20 17:38:11Hi there, I am doing research on the requirements for independent schools, and I was wondering if you could send me more info on Health and Safety in Schools.
2021-02-16 10:41:48I am the deputy SGB chairperson at our local school. Please give me more info regarding OHS in schools. Regards
2020-09-22 08:09:39Hi I am Theunis Cloete a SGB board member and chairman of sub committee for resources and maintenance at a high school in Port Elizabeth, Please assist on more information on complying the OSH act for schools. this is a matter of great concern and having attended the SGB agm Eastern Cape last week it is clear that we need to give this priority. Kind regards.
2018-05-08 09:52:06Thank you for the health and safety policy. I would like more info please . I know of a teacher that sprays toilet spray in her classroom. I know that each product has a material safety sheet and all of these products cause asthma , excema, cancer and even kidney failure, and I would like to know what further steps can be used against any teacher spraying these hazardous stuff in a classroom. Thanking you kindly
2018-10-30 22:42:03Good day please can you send me more information on OH&S for schools. Thank you
2021-08-12 21:07:17Good afternoon, Khanyisa is a inensive developmental centre for children with special needs between 3 and 12 years old however the need for more consistent intervention in the form of special needs education and formal school enviroment with integrated therapy is planned for our centre soon. We are in the process of registering the school however this has proved to take some time. We have been opened for 8 years and thrive to grow. Due to the fact that we are a therapy centre and not yet a registered school ISASA is not able to help us yet. Could you please let us know if you are able to assist us in our health and safety policy, relative documents or your health and safety servcies. We are forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Corné
2019-10-22 14:44:49I would like to ask if you have a School Safety File like the ones available for Construction?
2019-02-19 10:12:49Hi I'm an Honours student at NWU. Can you please forward me more information with regards to the occupational health safety act with regards to education in South Africa please. We are currently doing research.
2020-11-22 19:38:36Hi I'm an honours student at NWU. Can you please forward me more information with regards to the occupational health safety act with regards to education in South Africa please. We are currently doing research
2020-11-23 19:59:52Hi I'm a student and I have an asignment based on health and safety in the education sector and would apreciate in depth information on this topic. Regards Mr . Prince
2018-06-05 20:00:06what files are required
2020-02-04 11:05:28I would like to receive in depth information on Health and Safety in Schools. I am a public high school teacher and I believe that our school is lacking in this area. Thank you so much! Here is my address bugaygretchenj@gmail.com
2018-04-04 05:04:48Good day i would like to know more about OHSAS in creche, primary and secondary as well as private schools and out should be implemented.
2019-05-16 15:42:48Good afternoon, Please could you send me more information on OHS in schools. Are you able to do an audit and provide us with a certificate of compliance. Kind regards
2021-05-03 13:05:19Please could you send me more information on OHS in schools. Are you able to do an audit and provide us with a certificate of compliance.
2020-07-27 10:52:29