GROUP 2 COMMENTS ON CHAPTER 1

RECOMMENDATIONS Some suggestions on improvements: Inclusion of Glossary to explain the following words and phrases: Code of Practice ILO Convention ILO Recommendation Decent work Safe work Health Services Fundamental Human Rights Risk assessment Hazard Risk Preventative culture

RECOMMENDATIONS Further suggestions for improvement: A practical and situational approach with inclusion of pictures Include occupational medicine with reference to pre-employment, exposure and post-exposure (beyond employment) and surveillance. Paragraph on “Culture of Health & Safety” expanded to include wellness interventions because wellness should not be limited to HIV/Aids only. Inclusion of occupational hygiene in the recognition of hazards and prevention. Include a paragraph on TRI-PARTISM and BI-PARTISM to enhance involvement of workers and their participation in the identification of risks and hazards pertaining to tasks allocated to them. Some provision to be made for national legislation to enhance the local content and the manual be tailored to local needs and circumstances.

ACTIVITY 1 QUESTIONS 3 & 4 QUESTION 3 Keeping in mind the “thirty rights” of participation in the analysis of articles 16 to 21 of Convention 155, define a strategy of union action oriented to foster worker participation in the workplace taken into consideration the following elements: 3. Dissemination, motivation, information and training on OSH. 4. Access to information and to external specialists and inspectors.

QUESTION 3 3. Dissemination, motivation, information and training on OSH: Dissemination: A programme/s which includes a checklist containing the 30 rights of worker participation with emphasis on those rights that directly influence a worker at his level of functioning. Motivation: Motivate members through mass meetings, pamphlets, awareness campaigns and one on one communication. Information: pamphlets, programmes, awareness campaigns, one on one communications and discussions. Training: 2 types of training: – Union initiative: OSH representatives and union representatives on their rights and responsibilities. Training should include training on “peer education.” – Employer initiative: Training should be based on a clear curriculum that talks to the challenges facing the specific industry or enterprises. It should not be prescribed by employers but contents should be established through a bi-partite process (Joint Health & Safety Committee).

QUESTION 4 4. Access to information and to external specialists and inspectors. Access to information relates to “Defense Rights” which depends upon the following steps (important to note the order of the steps): – 1. “elimination” of the danger – 2. “limit” the danger (mitigation) – 3. “protective” measures Information on the exposure measurements before and after applicable protective steps were taken. Cognisance to be taken of age, gender and health conditions of employees but NO DISCRIMINATION allowed but a process of accommodation. Unions to initiate engagement with employers to obtain external specialists/expertise to evaluate risks and hazards pertaining to their field of speciality and advise appropriately. Access to inspections by inspectors to be requested by union representatives as required and to be explored more often to enhance a safer environment and eliminate risk or address appropriately. The Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993, Section 13 places an obligation on employers to inform employees of the risks and hazards that they are exposed to and the measures taken to prevent harm. The Promotion of Access to Information Act No. 2 of 2000 should be invoked if information is withheld unreasonably. This Act has attached to it pro-forma forms with which access can be requested from companies.