Guidelines on managing health and safety in primary schools based in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay

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BUSINESS NEWS - The reasons why health and safety must be managed in primary schools in both Knysna and Plettenberg Bay is because it involves legal obligations and ethics. Hazards and risks are present in primary schools as much as they are in any other workplace, although they may be more unique to the school setting.

Schools provide a unique environment that is still considered a workplace in the eyes of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This workplace is shared by staff and more especially, learners, who have a higher need of care due to their vulnerability.

Accidents and incidents occurring in the workplace cause pain and suffering, not only to the affected person, but also to their family. They affect the individual’s ability to perform their work and they often impact on their quality of life outside of work. Even though pupils are not employees, the same still applies.

It has been proven in the past that numerous incidents and cases of occupational illness at work stem from failures in the effective management of safety, health and overall well-being.

In addition, the costs that accompany such incidents and accidents can be excessive and could result in:

Sick pay, temporary replacement labour, early retirement, the recruiting of new labour and costs associated with retraining.
The repair of damage to plant, equipment, materials, buildings and products.
The cost of time spent in dealing with accidents.
Increased insurance premiums due to an increase in risk factors and/or legal costs, and
Compensation claims.

Who is responsible for health and safety management in schools?

The primary school is considered the employer and according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers are responsible to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health and well-being of its employees.
Employees in this case refer to both staff and learners and furthermore, employers must ensure the safety, health and well-being of those who are affected in any way by the activities of the school.

What responsibilities will staff have towards health and safety?
The employer is tasked with the responsibility towards the health, safety and well-being of employees; however, employees also have a responsibility of taking care of their own health, safety, and well-being.
Employees are both staff of the school as well as the pupils that attend, and the duties that they have include the following:

To take reasonable care of their own health, safety and well-being as well as that of those who may be affected by the action and omissions of their employer in the workplace.
To cooperate with the employer and any other relevant person in compliance with the relevant statutory provisions.
To attend trading and take instructions on the correct use of equipment and other articles.
To use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly along with other protective clothing provided for the safety, health and well-being of the employee.
To report any unsafe acts or conditions in contravention of the statutory provisions.
Avoid engaging in any conduct considered either improper or dangerous.

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What is health and safety managment in schools?

Health and safety management systems in schools are regarded as an ongoing process, aiming to promote consistent improvement in the way it is managed in schools.

This system must form a part of the overall management of the school and must include:

School structure
Planning activities
Practices
Procedures
Resources associated with the development, implementation, review and maintenance of safety, health and welfare.

The management system indicates the specific issues that must be addressed effectively. In addition, it is also a tool that can be used to develop improvement programmes and self-audits and/or assessments.

When health and safety management systems are established, the following factors must be considered:

Policy as well as commitment
Planning
Implementation
Measurement of performance
Audit review

How does SafetyWallet help schools in managing their health and safety programme?

SafetyWallet offers all employers across all industries in South Africa the solutions and services that they need to become compliant with the requirements stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all other relevant legislation and regulations.

In becoming a SafetyWallet subscriber, schools are offered the necessary systems they can implement and maintain effectively according to the required standards. It furthermore ensures that school staff and pupils are protected to the best ability of the school as the employer.

It provides staff and pupils with the necessary skills to safeguard their own health, safety and well-being. SafetyWallet’s subscription works to create a safety culture and duty of care that spreads across the entire South Africa, regardless of the sector, industry, size or nature of business of organisations.