OHS Compliance Audit

Health and Safety Practices for a Contractors and Suppliers

Health and Safety Practices

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 places responsibility on the employer to ensure that a safe and healthy work environment is provided and maintained, without risk to the health of workers.

Health and safety, however, is the responsibility of all employees, not only the employer or the employee alone. There are, however, health and safety practices for a contractor and or supplier, which demands compliance.

Contractors and suppliers must comply with the following:

• The Occupational Health and Safety Act, (Act 85 of 1993) and its regulations.
• The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, (Act 30 of 1993).
• Local Municipal bylaws, applicable to the location of the workplace.
• The Tobacco Products Control Act, (83 of 1993).
• South African National Standards.

Security as well as site rules

• All contractors, suppliers, and visitors must report to security and sign in/out.
• All hand tools as well as power equipment must be declared, and a declaration made with security of such.
• Security reserves the right to conduct searches on vehicles, persons, clothing, and belongings.
• All contractors as well as suppliers must wear clothing that features a company logo and/or a name badge provided by their employer.
• All contractors and suppliers must have an identification badge to enter the premises.
• Tools and equipment must not be left unattended.
• Follow all instructions provided on safety signs.
• Vehicles must be registered with security on entry.
• Contractors and suppliers must take care in avoiding damages to buildings and/or equipment on the premises.
• It is prohibited to prop open fire doors and/or exit doors.

Resting, eating, and restroom facilities

• Food may not be consumed in the venues but in dedicated areas.
• Contractors and suppliers must use the pre-arranged areas to rest and eat.
• All contractors and suppliers may only use restroom/toilet facilities in designated areas.

Smoking, weapons, drugs, and alcohol

• Contractors and suppliers must take note of designated areas for smoking.
• Alcohol and substances are prohibited.
• Weapons may not be brought onto the premises.

Roles and Responsibilities

Every employee, contractor, and supplier have the responsibility to:

• Adopt safe working procedures.
• Wear the correct PPE and take care of it.
• Comply with the company policies, procedures, and site rules.
• Report incidents, pollution, hazards, and other unsafe conditions or acts immediately.
• Know where to find medical assistance.
• Know emergency escape routes and locate the evacuation assembly points.

No employee must place the safety of themselves or others at risk or allow someone to put theirs at risk, or misuse and abuse equipment and/or machinery.

Contractor’s specific responsibilities

Apart from complying with the relevant regulations, rules, laws, and policies, all contractors and suppliers must ensure that they:

• Engage with the contract controller relating to administration requirements to allow for successful vetting.
• Actively maintain health and safety compliance either through MAKROSAFE with SafetyWallet, or similar systems that allow for independent compliance verification continuously.
• Report to the authorised company representative when an incident or accident has occurred on the premises of the client.
• Assist the company representative with investigations where an incident or accident has occurred, which may affect the contractor, supplier, and/or the company.
• Compliance with procedural requirements which must be followed in case of any breach by the contractor or supplier where company standards are concerned.
• To maintain a level of transparency with regards to all other matters concerned with health and safety compliance with the company, supplier, with SafetyWallet and MAKROSAFE representatives, and to have the required health and safety file on hand for inspection at any given time.

Safe Work Practices

All contractors as well as suppliers must ensure that a risk assessment is conducted before work is performed. Induction training must be carried out by either the project leader or a safety officer if one has been appointed.

Where high-risk work must be performed, there must be a safe working method statement and/or a permit to work when needed. The following permits must be provided:

• Hot work – where there is work with ignition sources near flammable materials.
• Cold work
• Working at heights, and
• Confined spaces.

Where there is any high-risk work being performed, the area must have adequate demarcating and signage, or it must be isolated depending on the work. There must be a spotter appointment and a safety plan must be in place. There must also be a risk assessment conducted and the lock-out/tag-out procedure used where needed.

How can MAKROSAFE help Employers and Contractors’ Health and Safety Compliance?

MAKROSAFE works to ensure that its clients are supported and assisted in all matters relating to health and safety, and through a partnership with My Safety Shop and SafetyWallet. SafetyWallet subscribers can ensure that they are a part in creating a safer, healthier, and more compliant working environment.