BOOK NUMBER
COMPANY
CONTENTS
Legislation
General Safety Rules
Emergency Procedures
Incident reports
Notes
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Ambulance
Fire
1
Department
Police
Transnet
Safety
Manager
SAMSA
Other
(1) Every employer shall provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a
working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of his employees.
(2) Without derogating from the generality of an employer's duties under subsection (1),
the matters to which those duties refer include in particular-
(a) the provision and maintenance of systems of work, plant and machinery
that, as far as is reasonably practicable, are safe and without risks to
health;
2
(c) making arrangements for ensuring, as far as is reasonably practicable, the
safety and absence of risks to health in connection with the production,
processing, use, handling, storage or transport of articles or substances;
(g) taking all necessary measures to ensure that tire requirements of this Act
are complied with by every person in his employment or on premises
under his control where plant or machinery is used;
(i) ensuring that work is performed and that plant or machinery is used
under the general supervision of a person trained to understand the
hazards associated with it and who have the authority to ensure that
precautionary measures taken by the employer are implemented; and
causing all employees to be informed regarding the scope of their
authority as contemplated in section 37 (1) (b).
Without derogating from any specific duty imposed on an employer by this Act, every employer
shall-
3
Every employee shall at work-
(m) take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other
persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions;
(n) as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other
person by this Act, co-operate with such employer or person to enable
that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with;
(o) carry out any lawful order given to him, and obey the health and safety
rules and procedures laid down by his employer or by anyone authorized
thereto by his employer, in the interest of health or safety;
(q) if he is involved in any incident which may affect his health or which has
caused an injury to himself, report such incident to his employer or to
anyone authorized thereto by the employer, or to his health and safety
representative, as soon as practicable but not later than the end of the
particular shift during which the incident occurred, unless the
circumstances were such that the reporting of the incident was not
possible, in which case he shall report the incident as soon as practicable
thereafter.
No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with, damage or misuse anything which is
provided in the interest of health or safety.
(3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), every employer who has more than 20
employees in his employment at any workplace, shall, within four months after the
commencement of this Act or after commencing business, or from such time as the
number of employees exceeds 20, as the case may be, designate in writing for a
specified period health and safety representatives for such workplace, or for different
sections thereof.
(4) An employer and the representatives of his employees recognized by him or, where
there are no such representatives, the employees shall consult in good faith regarding
the arrangements and procedures for the nomination or election, period of office and
subsequent designation of health and safety representatives in terms of subsection
(1): Provided that if such consultation fails, the matter shall be referred for arbitration
to a person mutually agreed upon, whose decision shall be final: Provided further that
if the parties do not agree within 14 days on an arbitrator, the employer shall give
notice to this effect in writing to the President of the Industrial Court, who shall in
consultation with the chief inspector designate an arbitrator, whose decision shall be
final. [Sub-s. (2) substituted by s. 4 of Act No. 181 of 1993.]
(5) Arbitration in terms of subsection (2) shall not be subject to the provisions of the
Arbitration Act, 1965 (Act No. 42 of 1965), and a failure of the consultation
contemplated in that subsection shall not be deemed to be a dispute in terms of the
Labour Relations Act, 1956 (Act No. 28 of 1956): Provided that the Minister may
prescribe the manner of arbitration and the remuneration of the arbitrator designated
by the President of the Industrial Court. [Sub-s. (3) substituted by s. 4 of Act No. 181 of
1993.]
(6) Only those employees employed in a full-time capacity at a specific workplace and
who are acquainted with conditions and activities at that workplace or section thereof,
4
as the case may be, shall be eligible for designation as health and safety
representatives for that workplace or section.
(7) The number of health and safety representatives for a workplace or section thereof
shall in the case of shops and offices be at least one health and safety representative
for every 100 employees or part thereof, and in the case of all other workplaces at
least one health and safety representative for every 50 employees or part thereof:
Provided that those employees performing work at a workplace other than that where
they ordinarily report for duty, shall be deemed to be working at the workplace where
they so report for duty.
(8) If an inspector is of the opinion that the number of health and safety representatives
for any workplace or section thereof, including a workplace or section with 20 or fewer
employees, is inadequate, he may by notice in writing direct the employer to
designate such number of employees as the inspector may determine as health and
safety representatives for that workplace or section thereof in accordance with the
arrangements and procedures referred to in subsection (2).
(9) All activities in connection with the designation, functions and training of health and
safety representatives shall be performed during ordinary working hours, and any time
reasonably spent by any employee in this regard shall for all purposes be deemed to
be time spent by him in the carrying out of his duties as an employee.
(10) A health and safety representative may perform the following functions in respect of
the workplace or section of the workplace for which he has been designated, namely-
(b) identify potential hazards and potential major incidents at the workplace;
(c) in collaboration with his employer, examine the causes of incidents at the
workplace;
(g) inspect the workplace, including any article, substance, plant, machinery
or health and safety equipment at that workplace with a view to, the
health and safety of employees, at such intervals as may be agreed upon
with the employer: Provided that the health and safety representative
shall give reasonable notice of his intention to carry out such an
inspection to the employer, who may be present during the inspection;
5
with any of the above functions.
(11) A health and safety representative shall, in respect of the workplace or section of the
workplace for which he has been designated be entitled to-
(a) visit the site of an incident at all reasonable times and attend any
inspection in loco;
(b) attend any investigation or formal inquiry held in terms of this Act;
(e) with the approval of the employer (which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld), be accompanied by a technical adviser, on any
inspection; and
(f) participate in any internal health or safety audit. [Sub-s. (2) substituted by
s. 5 of Act No. 181 of 1993.]
(12) An employer shall provide such facilities, assistance and training as a health and
safety representative may reasonably require and as have been agreed upon for the
carrying out of his functions.
(13) A health and safety representative shall not incur any civil liability by reason of the
fact only that he failed to do anything which he may do or is required to do in terms of
this Act.
(14) An employer shall in respect of each workplace where two or more health and safety
representatives have been designated, establish one or more health and safety
committees and, at every meeting of such a committee as contemplated in subsection
(4), consult with the committee with a view to initiating, developing, promoting,
maintaining and reviewing measures to ensure the health and safety of his employees
at work.
(15) A health and safety committee shall consist of such number of members as the
employer may from time to time determine: Provided that-
(a) if one health and safety committee has been established in respect of a
workplace, all the health and safety representatives for that workplace
shall be members of the committee;
(b) if two or more health and safety committees have been established in
respect of a workplace, each health and safety representative for that
workplace shall be a member of at least one of those committees; and
(16) The persons nominated by an employer on a health and safety committee shall be
designated in writing by the employer for such period as may be determined by him,
while the health and safety representatives shall be members of the committee for the
period of their designation in terms of section 17 (1).
6
(17) A health and safety committee shall hold meetings as often as may be necessary, but
at least once every three months, at a time and place determined by the committee:
Provided that an inspector may by notice in writing direct the members of a health and
safety committee to hold a meeting at a time and place determined by him: Provided
further that, if more than 10 per cent of the employees at a specific workplace has
handed a written request to an inspector, the inspector may by written notice direct
that such a meeting be held.
(18) The procedure at meetings of a health and safety committee shall be determined by
the committee.
(19) (a) A health and safety committee may co-opt one or more persons by reason of his or
their particular knowledge of health or safety matters as an advisory member or as
advisory members of the committee.
(b) An advisory member shall not be entitled to vote on any matter before the
committee.
(20) If an inspector is of the opinion that the number of health and safety committees
established for any particular workplace is inadequate, he may in writing direct the
employer to establish for such workplace such number of health and safety
committees as the inspector may determine.
(b) shall discuss any incident at the workplace or section thereof in which or
in consequence of which any person was injured, became ill or died, and
may in writing report on the incident to an inspector; and
(22) A health and safety committee shall keep record of each recommendation made to an
employer in terms of subsection (1) (a) and of any report made to an inspector in
terms of subsection (1) (b).
(23) A health and safety committee or a member thereof shall not incur any civil liability by
reason of the fact only that it or he failed to do anything which it or he may or is
required to do in terms of this Act.
An employer shall take the prescribed steps to ensure that a health and safety committee complies
with the provisions of section 19 (4) and performs the duties assigned to it by subsections (1) and
(2).
1. It is the responsibility of the ships crew to provide a safe means of access to the vessel, by means of a gangway or
the ships accommodation ladder.
7
2. Such access to the ships deck should comply with Maritime safety standards, and should not be placed where cargo
is being moved overhead.
3. Access to the ships deck must be of sound construction and must be kept free of obstruction.
4. Access to the ships deck should not cause an obstruction to moving equipment or vehicles on the wharfside.
5. A ships access ramp should have a lifebuoy or floatation device nearby.
6. A safety net must be rigged wherever a person can fall between a ship and the wharfside.
7. All access gangways and accommodation ladders must be inspected on a regular basis, as a ship is not static.
8. Safe pedestrian access separate from vehicle access ramps must be provided to ro-ro ships. Pedestrian access via
the main loading ramp is prohibited.
9. Where pedestrian access via the main loading ramp is unavoidable, a separate walk way must be provided on the
outer edge of the ramps, and must be fenced on both sides to prevent falls into the water and provide protection from
moving vehicles.
10. Access routes must not pass under cargo being worked.
11. Safe access about the ship to the holds, deck cargos, winches and cranes must be provided.
12. All such access routes must be kept tidy and clear of all obstructions.
13. If access is required during periods of darkness, sufficient lighting must be provided.
14. Access routes must as far as possible avoid lashings, ropes, cables and other obstructions, which may impede
access.
Emergency Procedures
No matter how vigilant we are in the work place, accidents may still occur. An accident is defined as “an unforeseen or
unplanned event or events resulting in injury and or damage”.
All accidents or incidents, even in the event where no injury or damage occurs, must be reported immediately so that
preventative action may take place to prevent re-occurrence.
First Aid
In the event of a serious injury in the workplace the first priority is the care for the injured person/s.
• Keep calm
• Call for help and raise the alarm
• Give first aid to injured person/s if you are trained
• Exercise care that you do not become a victim of the same hazard
•
Do not disturb the site of a serious accident or move any equipment in the area unless it is necessary to do so to protect injured
persons. Moving or attempting to rescue injured persons should not be attempted unless you are trained.
8
Electrical accidents
Should you have to rescue someone who is in contact with a live power supply:
• Do not panic
• Isolate the source of the supply if you are able to do so safely
• If you are unable to isolate the supply, use a non-conductive material to remove the victim from the power source
(wood, plastic etc).
• Call for help via radio or cell phone
• Assist victim until medical help arrives
• Report accident as soon as possible
Emergency situations
• The outbreak of a fire which can not be controlled in under two minutes
• Major collision causing injury or damage
• An accident causing injury requiring urgent medical attention
• Chemical spillage
• Explosion
• Electric shock
• Bomb threat
• Civil disturbance or riots
• Natural causes such as adverse weather conditions
• Any environmental or any other factors which would result in injury or death
• Man overboard
Each company has its own emergency procedures and you should familiarize yourself with these procedures.
Man overboard
By the nature of ports, falls into water are a commonplace hazard, and not all stevedores who fall into water can swim. Means
by which such persons can rapidly escape from the water or be rescued must be provided. Rescue flotation devices
are placed strategically on board and you should familiarize yourself with the position of rescue devices in the area
you are working.
Speed is essential when rescuing persons in the water, as it can prevent tragic results. Means of rescuing must, therefore, be
capable of being deployed very quickly. Delay can result in workers, clinging to a fixed floating object after a simple fall,
being affected by fright, cold water, currents and tide and can soon make them lose consciousness and let go.
When victims have been taken out of the water, they must be warmed, their wet clothes must be taken off, if possible, and they
must be wrapped in blankets or other suitable wrapping.
If a victim no longer seems to be breathing, artificial respiration must be applied by the mouth-to-mouth method or, if not
possible, by the Holger-Nielsen method.
All emergency telephone numbers must be displayed near telephones and strategic points.
It is vital that all personnel make themselves aware of the position of all fire fighting procedures and equipment, and emergency
evacuation routes.
9
• Are you trained in the use of fire fighting equipment and technique
• Size and nature of the fire
• Other personnel in the area that may have to be evacuated
Upon discovering a fire follow emergency procedures as dealt with earlier in this programme. A fire is reliant on three elements
for combustion to take place:
Fire fighting equipment should never be removed or abused except to fight fires. Once an extinguisher is used it should be
immediately replaced with a serviceable unit. Fire fighting equipment should be inspected regularly and serviced by a
competent fire fighting equipment agent. The use of a fire extinguisher must be reported immediately.
Radio procedures
It is of vital importance that a clear line of communication is maintained at all times between signalman and machine operators.
The most common form of communication between stevedore operators is by means of two-way radios. The following
procedures must be observed when using radios:
NOTES:
10
Incident / safety report
REPORT NUMBER /REFERENCE
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
11
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
12
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
13
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
14
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
15
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
16
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
17
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
18
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
19
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
20
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
21
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
22
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
23
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
24
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
25
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
26
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
27
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
28
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
29
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
30
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
31
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
32
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
33
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
34
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
35
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
36
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
LOCATION / SITE
DATE OF REPORT
DATE OF INCIDENT/ACCIDENT
• Who was injured? (name, address, and phone number). Taken to the Emergency Room or
Hospital?
37
• Nature of injuries/damage:
• Witnesses to the incident. Include employees and any other tenant or customer’s names and phone
numbers.
38
Safety Representative comments:
Signature:
(safety rep)
Reported to:
39