covid 19 in the workplace-what are my obligations as an employer?

When the COVID 19 lockdown in South Africa is done (whenever that might be) we will all have to return to the normal working environment. The end of the lockdown does not mean that we are no longer at risk of infection from the virus. Some organizations providing essential services are already working through the crisis period.
 
Everyone from the top, to the bottom of any Organization will remain at risk, and as employers, we are compelled (under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993) to ensure that these risks are minimized in the workplace. This will include the following, to mention a few:
 

• Completion of biological risk assessments per the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.
• Mitigation of identified risks relating to personal hygiene, work station placement, decontamination procedures, employee training, union and employee involvement etc.
• The requirements relating to suitable personal protective equipment specifically for the COVID 19 virus.
• Training for the correct use of the personal protective equipment.
• Procedures for dealing with possible COVID 19 cases in the workplace.

 
Unfortunately, just providing employees with face masks and gloves and hoping for the best is not enough, it just scratches the surface what needs to be done and  as required by the legislated requirements.
 
The World Health Organization has identified that Health and Safety Practitioners are front line responders to this crisis in the workplace. In light of this we have prepared training material and other resources to assist your organization, which we can either present through a Webinar, or on site training and risk assessments services (observing the correct distance protocols). The material we have is based upon information provided by the National Institute for Occupational Health in South Africa and the World Health Organization and is kept up-to-date on a regular basis.
 
If we can help you with this, please contact us for further information.