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Industries across South Africa are held to high standards where health and safety compliance is concerned in the workplace. The term "safety compliance" refers to the act or process of adhering to or conforming to specified safety standards and legislation.

The OHS Amendment Bill 2020 was implemented to clear up and clarify processes that are prescribed in the OHS Act

New rules say Covid-19 vaccines can be made mandatory In mid-June, the South African Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) issued an update on the occupational health and safety directive, allowing employers to implement a mandatory workplace vaccination policy, amongst others, which is subjected to certain guidelines. There have been many debates over whether employers can or cannot force their employees to take the Covid-19 vaccine, and while the latest directive sheds light on this matter, it also ensures that employers are reminded to consider the rights that employees have with regards to bodily integrity and religious freedoms and beliefs.

A Risk Assessment plays a crucial part in any organisation, therefor everyone plays an important part and has their subsequent duties towards their own Health and Safety, that of those around them, and the Health and Safety of the organisation overall. In the following sections, the duties of an organisation will be explored in-depth. To learn more on the changes brought on by the OHS Amendment Bill 2020, download your FREE eBook here.

Listed Work and The OHS Amendment Bill 2020 There are extensive changes brought on by the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2020, with the theme of these changes surrounding loose ends being tied up along with the clarification of processes, polishing of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the clearing up of uncertainties so that the Act reflects inclusivity. One of the sections of the OHSA that are affected by these changes refers to the Listed Work under Section 11 of the OHS Amendment Bill and the General duties of the employer, under Section 12. The changes made are indicated and broken down in the sections below. To Download our FREE eBook containing all the changes brought on by the OHS Amendment Bill 2020, click here

OHS Amendment Bill 2020 and Health and Safety Management Systems A Safety Management System consists of a series of policies, procedures and standards that are used by organisations to reduce accidents, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace and among employees. Health and Safety Management Systems which are effective are proven to be a decisive factor in the reduction of the extent and severity of work-related injuries as well as illnesses. Through the successful adoption of a Safety Management System, there is a high level of commitment from both management and employees, with an adequate number of resources put towards the design and implementation of such a system. More in-depth details on the changes brought on by the OHS Amendment Bill 2020, click here to Download your Free eBook.

To understand the changes that will take effect with the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2020, it is imperative to understand the different definitions contained in it and the meaning of each.

The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill, also commonly referred to as the OHSA Bill, was tabled for the first initial reading in Parliament by the Minister of Employment and Labour on November 2, 2020. Once introduced, there will be significant amendments made to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of1993, or OHSA 1993. Changes to be made by the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2020, also referred to as the OHSA Bill, are extensive but it should not come as a surprise to health and safety professionals.