10/07/2024
Safety Officers are responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing an organizationโs health and safety strategy and assist in ensuring that all employees, visitors, and contractors are safe and that the organization achieves compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 85 of 1993 requirements.
A business and the management team need โOHS peace of mindโ and knowing that the health and safety officer is taking care of the organizationโs OHS requirements. Studies have shown that most incidents and accidents can be avoided, as they are generally caused by unrecognised hazards and risks either from employee errors, faulty equipment, bad habits, and practice, etc. The health and safety officer will assist in reducing this risk and the unnecessary possibility of incidents, accidents, and ill health occurring!
The roles and responsibilities of a Health and Safety Officer include:
Assisting in ensuring that the employer and all employees comply with the OHS Act
Review, plan and assist in implement OHS policies, procedures, and strategy
Assist with advice in compiling the annual OHS budget
Conduct annual risk assessments to ensure that hazards and risks have been identified and have been addressed appropriately
Conduct incident and accident investigations together with health and safety representatives
Advise and inform employees on various OHS initiatives and strategy;
Prepare regular in-service health and safety training and communication topics;
Ensure that the OHS team is trained in first aid, firefighting, evacuation planning, health, and safety, etc
Works with HR to assist in conducting health and safety induction programs for all new employees
Enforces the necessary measures to ensure health and safety objectives are met etc
