The pursuit for "Zero Harm" objectives in the workplaces received a shot in the arm when Cabinet approved this week the publication of the occupational health and safety (OHS) Bill 2020 for public consultation.
The Department initiated the process to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (No. 85 of 1993) back in 2016. This was done to respond to the changes posed by modern working environments which were posing greater risks to workers, and to alert workers to such dangers.
Following the conclusion of its meeting the Cabinet announced it has approved the publication of the OHS Bill 2020 for public consultation. The Bill seeks to amend the OHS Act, 1993 (Act 85 of 1993) and align it to international trends. It also seeks to strengthen the safety measures of workers in their respective workplaces.
The Bill introduces the provisions that empower employees to withhold their labour should they feel the environment is dangerous and unsafe, without being victimized by the employers.
Once passed into law the legislation will address the growing number of occupational injuries and fatalities. In South Africa some of the sectors identified as having a disproportionate number of fatal accidents at work include: chemical, iron & steel, construction and health sector.
As part of advancing the "Zero Harm" initiative to promote health and safety in the workplaces the Department has in recent years partnered with social partners and signed industry accords with Chemical, Iron & Steel and Construction sectors to improve occupational health and safety in South Africa.
The public consultation process is one of a series that are to be followed en route to the passing of the new OHS Act. There are also several regulations that are also in the pipeline for review.
The amending of the OHS legislations further seeks to deal with the ever increasing gaps between the formal sector, small medium and micro enterprises and informal sector – in terms of compliance.
The bill further seeks to address the Future of Work and the impact of technology on the work of the inspectorate.
Media enquiries:
Musa Zondi
Acting Departmental Spokesperson
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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
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