The number of accidents in the workplace reported each year, shows how much improvement can still be achieved. With the Department of Labour on a drive to enforce safe work environments more actively, training by an accredited institution should be the first step to be taken to avoid criminal prosecution or even closure.
Over 630 000 students of the class of 2013 passed the matric exam this year. But a similar number (if not more) of experienced employees did not report for work for at least one day last year, due to a work-related injury.
South African businesses lose an estimated R1, 5 billion annually on employee benefits paid out for injuries sustained while on duty. The amount is staggering, as is the impact. The Department of Labour is aiming to have this addressed. More fines are expected to be imposed and companies could even be suspended from operating until they comply.
Being the market leader in the implementation and administration of health and safety in South Africa, Makrosafe has first-hand knowledge of the cause and impact of many injuries. As many injuries can often be easily prevented, Makrosafe has pushed hard in recent years to introduce a skills programme for people who want to follow a Health and Safety career path. The courses highlight the factors that could prevent temporary closure or (criminal) prosecution.
Makrosafe has since become an accredited training provider that is accredited by the HWSETA as well as ETQA. The Training Academy offers courses ranging from 'First Aid' to 'Health & Safety Certificates'. The programmes are fully recognised by the relevant authorities and, more importantly, the learners' achievements are registered on the NLRD, the National Learner Record Database of the SETA and TETA.
By registering the achievements, national recognition for knowledge and skills is acquired and a culture of lifelong learning is encouraged in the industry. Some of the courses only last a day, while others run over several consecutive days. The training can be provided on-site or at one of the Makrosafe educational facilities throughout the country and includes presentations, readings, individual activities, group discussions and skill application
exercises.
Excuses Unacceptable
Whilst quality training is available, some companies still don't value the importance of training and education. At Makrosafe it is believed this is a dangerous position to adopt: employees who are not trained properly cannot function effectively and efficiently. This ultimately leads to incidents that could be avoided. More importantly, it can also be a dangerous stance as, in the event of a major incident, the Department of Labour will request information about the training that those involved have received.
Failure to produce evidence of any training offered by an recognized institution could make a company liable. This would open the door for the Department to press charges against the company and, even worse, close the site or company down. To avoid this happening, some companies undergo 'training' provided by a fly-by-night company, which comes at a fraction of the cost of an accredited institution. It is a decision they often regret having made. As the saying goes 'if it is too good to be true, it is simply not true' and they have to face the consequences almost immediately of poorly trained staff and continuing safety hazards in the workplace.
By using an accredited training provider an organisation can claim the training fees back from its associated SETA, provide the training is included in the company's skills development plan. This process might take some time, but it is certainly worth it.
In our next edition we will take a look at the advantages for learners and employers when making use of HWSETA accredited training institution.
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