Wow, it is hard to believe that a year has gone by since this pandemic started and it seems the fight is not over, as wave, after wave, hits the globe.
We are in it for the long haul it seems, and it is imperative that we ensure we have the right systems in place to uphold health and safety within our Organisations, so that our employees feel safe and looked after, when they walk through their workplace door – they are entrusting their lives into our hands.
Health and Safety is defined as follows:
‘ Occupational safety and health (OSH), also commonly referred to as occupational health and safety (OHS), occupational health,[1] or occupational safety, is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at occupation. ‘
‘The goal of an occupational safety and health program is to foster a safe and healthy occupational environment.[3] OSH also protects all the general public who may be affected by the occupational environment.[4] ‘Wikipedia.
At IJIKA Services, we have a Health & Safety sector ( IJIKA Health & Safety), lead by Philile Radebe, Director of IJIKA Services. It has been an interesting year to say the least, as there have been more factors to consider, within the Health & Safety industry. IJIKA has included additional COVID-19 health and safety recommendations within our safety file.
Our Health & Safety (H&S) documentation contains the following:
· Health and safety Plan
· Basic health and safety policy
· Assist in drawing your company Organogram.
· Assist in compiling appointment together as per your Organogram.
· Compile risk assessments as per your Task method statements.
· Checklist and registers.
· Fall protection plan.
· Daily safety task instruction forms (DSTI).
· Daily diary forms.
· Incident/accident reporting forms (Annexure 1, Wcl2 and incident statistics).
· Toolbox talks topics.
· Latest copy of OH&S ACT (act 85 of 1993).
Additional Covid-19 H&S recommended documentation:
· Induction
· Risk assessment
· PPE form
· PPE procedure
· social distancing
· screening questionnaire/survey
· Policy
While it is crucial to develop and maintain procedures within the workplace to protect our Employee’s physical health, have we considered their mental health? The mental health impact, such as depression and anxiety resulting from a pandemic is immense, due to the trauma encountered on so many levels and perpetuated by the uncertainty of the times.
There are a few things we as Employer’s can do to create a healthy environment for the Employee’s state of mind. Here are just a few examples:
- Ensure that we engage in well-being chats within our Organisation and share information on how to care for mental health.
- Encourage openness and vulnerability with each other, demonstrated by Managers / Directors.
- Ensure our HR Departments are equipped to handle sensitive situations, with authentic care, kindness, and professional skill.
- Stress the importance of work life balance, which has become even more important now that many people are having to work from home.
- Encourage healthy lifestyles, nutrition, exercise etc.
There are some interesting and informative reads that we would recommend:
https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/4-ways-engineering-could-change-after-the-covid-19-pandemic
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