OHS support programme launched to assist your business with Covid-19 safety

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), together with a number of partner organisations has been running a Covid-19 business workplace safety programme through the Covid-19 crisis. Part of this has involved managing a non-compliance complains line, which has now dealt with just over 4 000 complaints.

In order to further strengthen workplace compliance to the Covid-19 safety regulations, the Department has secured the services of professional Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) support (in the form of guidance, good practice and knowledge sharing). We are offering this support to the Western Cape businesses at no cost.

Although many businesses may now understand the workplace safety requirements, there are many that are still experiencing difficulties or do not feel readily prepared for a longer term scenario. The support is therefore aimed at helping businesses to undertake Covid-19 risk assessments, develop risk mitigation plans, promote adherence to the Department of Employment and Labour workplace safety regulations and relevant sector specific Covid-19 workplace safety requirements and implement any other required interventions to enable them to manage potential further Covid-19 waves and potential future pandemics.

The intent is to provide support directly to approximately 600 Western Cape businesses and through group sessions with individual follow ups to 200 Western Cape businesses.

Businesses that are in need of this support may contact the service provider Afro Centric Fast Pulse Employee Benefit Solutions at Covid19.ohas@afrocentric-ics.com to enlist on the support programme. Please note that this support is only available until 23 March 2021.