Lesson 2 mod 5 mng hic
- 1. COVID-19 Structures COVID-19 Compliance Officer COVID-19 Manager COVID-19 Response Team Member / Suitable person / employee
- 2. Structures – COVID-19 Compliance Officer COVID-19 Compliance Officer is responsible to: Manage the phases of return of employees from other provinces, metropolitans and district areas Develop measures to ensure that the workplace meets the standards of health protocols, adequate space for employees and social distancing measures for the public and service providers Ensure adherence to the standards of hygiene and health protocols relating to COVID-19 at the workplace The development and implementation of a COVID – ready plan for the phased-in return, of employees to the workplace, prior to reopening for business The COVID-ready plan must correspond with Annexure E and should be retained for inspection
- 4. Structures : COVID-19 Manager COVID-19 Manager is responsible for: • Ensure continued compliance the COVID-19 PLAN set forth by the COVID-19 Compliance Officer • Ensure that all employees are well versed in all the identified risks that COVID-19 poses within the working environment • Enforce COVID-19 related preventative measures in all areas of the workplace with all employees • Ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the workplace remains current with updated legislation measures and developments related to COVID-19. • Ensure that a distancing of minimum 1.5 meters is maintained throughout the workplace by all employees and visitors or alternatively ensure adequate screening or barriers are in place to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus • Communicate as frequently as is necessary with SHE- Committees and Representatives on all COVID-19 - related health safety matters, facilitating feedback and ensure that clear records are kept thereof • Encourage employees to work from home as much as possible • Ensure continuous cleaning and de-sanitizing of all relevant areas of the workplace
- 5. Structures: COVID-19 Manager COVID-19 Manager is responsible for: • Avoid any grouping of employees, visitors and contractors workplace by ensuring implementation of strict Workplace Distancing Protocols & Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) • Facilitate the implementation and management of the Screening Process for all staff, contractors & visitors • Manage the process to follow if an employee is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 in the workplace • Ensure that Medical Surveillance of recovered employees are recorded. • Determine the area of floor space in square meters and calculate how many employees, visitors, contractors and customers will be allowed to be on the premises • Take steps to ensure that persons queuing inside or outside the premises are able to maintain adequate distancing measures • Provide hand sanitisers for use by the public and employees at the entrance to the premises • Assign an employee or any other suitable person, as the compliance employee/s, who must assist in the day to day requirements of COVID-19 Compliance
- 6. Structures – Response Team Member COVID-19 Response Team Member has the duty to: Assist and support the COVID-19 Compliance Officer and/or COVID-19 Manager/s Participate in educating all employees on the company’s COVID-19 preventative measures Assist with on-going communication to all employees regarding COVID- 19 preventative measures as required Contribute to the implementation and evaluation of COVID-19 processes and protocols Assist with Operating Procedure & Medical Screening Procedure of all staff, visitors and contractors Contribute toward the restriction of grouping in the workplace, and applying strict physical distancing rules Assist in managing the protocols of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases in the workplace
- 8. SHE Reps Knowledge •COVID-19 Company Policy COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) VISITOR & EMPLOYEE screening COVID-19 Tool Kit & Talks COVID-19 - PPE Workplace Checklists – Monthly / Weekly / Daily COVID-19 Incident reporting and Investigation COVID-19 Posters
- 9. Scope of SHE Reps in the COVID-19 Sphere Other than assisting DoL when coming to the workplace, SHE Reps also liaise between management and employees SHE Reps in the workplace may be involved in: • Assisting the employer with COIVID-19 measures • Be proactive in identifying potential COVID-19 risks in the workplace • Attend to and investigating COVID-19 -related complaints from employees • Assisting in the investigation of COVID-19 incidents in the workplace • Make COVID-19 -related health suggestions to management • Assist in the COVID-19 implementation and communication of the back-to-work plan
- 10. Challenges and Concerns 16.5 “It must appoint a manager to address employee or workplace representative concerns and to keep them informed and, in any workplace in which an health and safety committee has been elected, consult with that committee on the nature of the hazard in that workplace and the measures that need to be taken The regulations speak about a COVID-19 Manager who carries the responsibility to train, monitor and advise on site. The COVID-19 Manager must communicate with the Safety Committee as well as the SHE Reps to ensure that the latest facts on the ground are communicated throughout the workforce. (Avoiding groupings of employees should be kept in mind) Should additional COVID-19 -responsibilities be given to SHE Reps? Ideally not.
- 11. Challenges and Concerns This is distinctly different from the above, specifically speaking about an employee, not rep or committee member, but an employee selected to perform certain duties seemingly temporarily and only with relation to the COVID – 19 crises. It also seems that the chosen person does not have to be permanently employed either, but suitable to expedite COVID-19 related duties. These assigned employees will assist the COVID-19 Manager in the day to day operations pertaining to the virus. assign, in writing, an employee or any other suitable person, as the compliance employee, who must ensure- compliance with the measures provided for in paragraphs (a) to (d); and that all directions in respect of hygienic conditions and limitation of exposure to persons with COVID-19 are adhered to.
- 12. Challenges and Concerns The role and responsibilities of the COVID-19 selected persons is likely to mount as more employees return to work. Training the returning employees will require time, which should not be harvested from the SHE Rep or the Committee Members. Selected employees or other suitable persons have to be tasked with only COVID-19 related issues as they will not be as easily distracted with their daily activities. The Regulations clearly state that the Occupational Health and Safety Act and subsequent Regulations are still valid and 100% applicable. Therefore, we must be careful not to discard our current systems and safety procedures and only focus on COVID-19.
- 13. Challenges and Concerns The execution of emergency protocols should be part of the COVID Managers’ duties and his assigned suitable persons. If screening, isolating or quarantine protocols are implemented because a positive or potential positive person is identified, immediate action may be required. Workstations may have to be isolated and cleaned and departments may have to be shut down. Hands will be required for these protocols and withdrawing SHE Reps or other employees off machines and production scenarios could cause problems. The COVID-19 landscape seems to change continuously. At the drop of a hat, changes might need to implemented as the regulations change. This will add an unnecessary burden to the SHE Reps and the Committee Members who should only be tasked with the communication of certain facts and procedures to the work force.
- 14. Challenges and Concerns We do, however, see the Safety Committee members and SHE Reps being the ‘voice of reason’ among the workforce. SHE Reps armed with the facts communicated to them by the COVID-19 MANAGER/s will potentially remain the go-to person for employees. It would be preferred that SHE Reps stay available at all times to address COVID-19 issues (when they are responsible for this) and not be tied up in their daily activities.