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South Africa Education Departments Health and Safety requirements for schools Overview Health and Safety in schools is a factor which is taken extremely seriously by the Department of Basic Education. It is also an apex priority of the department and as result of this, there are various policies as well as measures which have been put in place to ensure the safety of all learners, educators, and relevant stakeholders in schools. Requirements as indicated by the Department of Education The Department has reiterated that there is no tolerance towards violence, drug-use and/or abuse, sexual harassment, and any other acts considered criminal, in schools as it poses a substantial barrier to learning. There is a significant focus on the inculcation of values as well as ethics along with a just and caring society within both schools and communities. The Department views any non-compliance in a serious light as such actions carry the potential of depriving learners of an inherent constitutional right to life, education, equality as well as dignity. There are numerous interventions which specifically focus on addressing the elements associated with physical infrastructure which includes adequate fencing, alarm systems, and burglar proofing. It also includes resilience-building programmes for young people as well as the strengthening of partnership with various stakeholders. There is a solid partnership between the Department and the South African Police Service (SAPS) which focuses on joining schools with local police-stations as well as the establishment of functional School Safety Committees. Schools are considered critical in the instilling of discipline and ensuring safety. It is for this reason that there is an emphasis on the Codes of Conduct for Learners at all public schools.

Managing Health and Safety In Schools and Colleges. Why is Health and Safety in Schools important? Health and safety in schools and colleges in an imperative factor. Ensuring that pupils and student safety is an imperative part of ethical framework for decades. As with other public services, schools as well as colleges are obliged to adapt to periods where considerable changes are occurring. They are also forced to continuously meet existing as well as new challenges. These challenges faced are often associated with new structures, accountabilities, additional concerns from parents, the public, and political circles in addition to concerns with excessive risk aversion.

Purpose of a Health and Safety Audit A health and safety audit, also referred to as an OHS Audit, serves the purpose of assisting in the consistent and continuous improvement of an organisation’s OHS procedures and OHS programme. When an OHS Audit is conducted, it must: • Identify risks along with the level of risks within the workplace. • Identify any strengths as well as weaknesses in the OHS procedures and OHS programme. • Compare current documentation as well as practices against best practice, legal requirements, and SafetyWallet protocols. • Highlight and recommend any improvements to be made in OHS procedures and the OHS programme. • Ensure that adequate resources are available for effective OHS management, and • Ensure that resources which are devoted to health and safety are effectively implemented and used.

The purpose of an OHS audit is to identify both strengths and weaknesses in the OHS program of a workplace.

Health and Safety Compliance refers to the means of conforming to a rule, either a specification, policy, or a standard and/or law. Regulatory compliance, more specifically, describes an organization’s goal in ensuring that they are aware of and take steps to comply with relevant laws, policies, and regulations.

Occupational Health and Safety Compliance, also known as OHS Compliance, is a standard involving compliance to all the required legal standards as they are stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. These standards serve the purpose of safeguarding and protecting employees in the workplace from any hazards, risks, incidents or fatalities, or the possibility thereof. It also indicates how machinery and equipment must be used safely to prevent injury.

Registration for the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases, more commonly referred to simply as COIDA / WCA, provides employers across all industries with compliance through minimal effort on their part where registration, the submission of earnings, and the obtaining of the Letter of Good Standing (LOGS) is concerned.

The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, ensures that all employees receive the necessary compensation should they be disabled by any occupational injuries or diseases, sustained and/or contracted in the duration of their employment.

Transaction Capital Recoveries’ commitment to Health and Safety through their Safetywallet Subscription yields great Return on Investment. The Return on Investment is an important consideration for any company, to ensure the returns yielded on Health and Safety are satisfactory as well as to ensure that they add value to the company. This, has been the case for Transaction Capital Recoveries and the investment they have made with Safetywallet, in yielding great returns and levels of Health and Safety compliance, to ensure a safe work place for all. According to the SafetyWallet calculator, Transaction Capital Recoveries in Hyde Park has a ROI which is currently standing on 458% with high levels of compliance to Health and Safety Legislation which have been consistently maintained at this level. Transaction Capital Recoveries in Hyde Park has recently had a Covid-19 and an annual grading audit and their unwavering commitment towards health and safety since becoming a SafetyWallet member has been commendable.