THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS 2003

Labour Laws BUSINESSES NEED TO COMPLY WITH: Basic Condition of Employment Act and its Sectoral Determinations Unemployment insurance Act Compensation for Injuries and Diseases Act Occupational Health & Safety Act Labour Relations Act Employment Equity Act Skills Development Act. Skills Development Levies Act.

Labour Laws Cont. THEY DEAL WITH: Conditions of employment Sound labour relations Social protection Compensation for injuries at work Skills development Healthy and safety at the work place Equal work opportunities.

Construction Industry Labour intensive; require sound labour relations; Work environment poses serious danger to human lives; Require high skills levels; continuous training; Require high standards in health and safety

Role of Dol. EXTENSION OF ACCOUNTABILITY “client” provide H&S specification “designer” incorporates safety standards “principal contractor” draw up safety plan “sub-contractors” specific safety plan “construction supervisor” overall supervision “safety officer” overall safety (depending on the magnitude of the project)

Role of Dol. Cont. Called for competent persons for: Scaffold erection Demolition work Formwork and support work Excavation work Supervision of the construction site. Supervision of construction work

ROLE OF DOL CONT. BASIC REQUIREMENTS – Notification of construction work; Safety specification – client; Safety plan – Principal Contractor; Risk assessment; Fall protection plan; Safety file Induction of employees.

ROLE OF DOL CONT. Enforcement – prevention of accidents / incidents Identification of unsafe acts – leading to personal injuries; Identification of unsafe conditions – from dangerous environments resulting in damage to machinery and giving an opportunity to unsafe acts. Prosecute non-compliance.

CONCLUSION The construction industry require serious and uncompromising adherence to health and safety standards. All activities conducted pose serious danger to human lives both safety and health. It is for this reason that the OHSA and its regulations is wholly applicable no matter what size the construction site or project is. “SPARE LIVES AND EARN GOOD PROFITS”