Protecting your essential workers during COVID-19 outbreak

While most companies have equipped their staff to work remotely to help slow the spread of Coronavirus, we are aware that you may have employees that fulfil essential services at your workplace.

Your employees’ wellbeing is our priority and the aim of this communication is to help you comply with the Occupational Health and Safety guidelines for the essential workers in your workplace to prevent the spread of the infection.

Implementation of Health and Safety in the Workplace

The occupational Health and Safety Act places an express obligation on the employer to maintain a working environment that is safe and healthy.

The employer must ensure that the workplace is free from any risk to the health of its employees as far as it is reasonably practicable. Within the context of COVID-19, there is a clear obligation on the employer to manage the risk of contamination in the workplace.

Failure to comply with such obligations may expose your organisation to a damage claim under the applicable laws.

Guidance in maintaining a clean and risk-free working environment

Safe Work Practices

Promote a healthy working environment by ensuring that the workplace is clean and hygienic, encourage regular handwashing by employees and good respiratory hygiene is practiced. For example, no-touch refuse bins, hand soap, alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 70 percent alcohol, disinfectants, and disposable towels for workers to clean their hands and their work surfaces, regular hand washing and display handwashing signs in restrooms.

Engineering controls

Isolate employees from work-related hazards, installing high-efficiency air filters, increasing ventilation rates in the work environment and installing physical barriers such as face shields to provide ventilation.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE may also be needed to prevent certain exposures. Examples of PPE include gloves, goggles, face shields, face masks, gowns, aprons, coats, overalls, hair and shoe covers and respiratory protection, when appropriate. Employers should check the NICD website regularly for updates about recommended PPE.

In addition to the above, we encourage you to stay informed with these COVID-19 related updates.

South African Department of Health’s website