Machinery and Occupational Safety Act
Primary objective of act is to control the working conditions of all workers in industry and commerce, with the exclusion of mining industry.
Helps to prevent accidents and industrial diseases.
To achieve the objects in the Act, an employer must ensure that:
- Machines used in the workshop are fitted with safeguards.
- Protective clothing and equipment are provided for workers.
- Workers are properly instructed on how to operate machines safely.
- Workplace is free from steam, smoke, noxious fumes and gasses that can cause illness or death.
Employees responsibilities under the Safety Act
- Use all safety equipment supplied.
- Not interfere with or abuse safety equipment.
- Do nothing willful to endanger the health and safety of themselfs or others.
- Obey orders issued in the interest of safety either by superior or general standing order.
The Act requires employers keep accident recording:
- The date and time of accidents.
- Name of injured person.
- Description of accident.
- When divisional inspector of labour was notified.
- When work resumed.
Inspector must be notified when accident results:
- Death of a person,
- Injury likely to cause death.
- Losing a limb, part of limb, sustaining permanent physical deflect.
- Person unable to continue normal activities for 14 days as result of injury.
- When person is rendered unconscious as result of heat stroke, exhaustion, electric shock or inhalation.
Management responsibilities for first-aid
- Provide adequately stocked first-aid box if >5 employees.
- Qualified first-aider for 10> employees.
- Separate, properly equipped first-aid room when >100
Failing to comply with the Act will be guilty of offence and if convicted fine not greater than R2000, or imprisonment not greater than 12 months.
Responsibilities of Builder supervising building work
Every structure to be built shall be under the supervision of a responsible person, who shall be competent, who shall be appointed by the builder in writing.
The responsible person shall be in charge of all the building work and ensure:
1. Provisions of the act are complied with.
2. All plant and machinery is maintained in food condition and properly used.
3. All work is carried out in safe manner and in accordance with the designs and specifications as approved by appropriate authority.
Protective clothing
- Eyes; goggles, spectacles, face mask/shield
- Head: hard hats, caps and hair net
- Body: aprons, suits and jackets, kidney belts and safety belts
- Legs: spats and leggings
- Hands: gloves and mittens
- Feet: safety boots and shoes
- Ears: earmuffs and earplugs
- Lungs: respirators and face masks
Factors that influence worker using protective clothing
- Can the equipment be worn with ease and discomfort
- Does it interfere with normal working procedures and operations
- Does the worker understand why it is necessary to use equipment
- Can economic or social considerations or disciplinary action be used to make the worker use protective equipment.
Workman’s Compensation Amendment Act
- Paying compensation to workers for industrial accidents and occupational disease and meeting the medical costs involved.
- Preventing industrial accidents
- Rehabilitating injured workers
Serious and wilful misconduct
- Drug use
- Drunkenness
- Contravening any law or regulation made to ensure the safety or health of workers
- Any other act or omission which the Commissioner considers to be serious and willful misconduct
Four basic causes of accidents
- Unsafe conditions
- Lack of knowledge and/or skill
- Physical or mental defects
- Improper attitude
Housekeeping is important because
- Reduces time spent on finding and checking goods
- Saves space when everything is packed tidily
- Injuries are avoided when gangways and working areas are kept clear of unnecessary material
- Fire hazards are reduced if combustibles are kept in proper containers.
When good housekeeping is not followed the following types of accidents can happen
- Tripping over loose objects
- Articles dropping from above
- Slipping on greasy, wet, dirty floors
- Running into projecting, badly placed material
- Body-parts cut on projecting nails, steel strapping…
- Fires
