Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi says employers must provide their employees with personal protective equipment in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Nxesi was addressing a back-to-work media briefing as an estimated 1.5 million workers prepare to return to work on Monday.
The minister said every workplace must be well ventilated in order to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
“Every workplace must be well ventilated to reduce the viral load,” said Nxesi.
“In relation to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), employers must keep up to date with recommendations from agencies such as the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the National Institute for Occupational Health on the appropriate steps to take to prevent transmission in their workplaces and for the provision of PPE.”
Nxesi warned that failure to comply fully with the Occupational Health and Safety Act directives is a criminal offense, and failure to take the necessary measures to prevent the transmission of COVID19 may result in criminal prosecution.
“Employers who do not comply with the Direction may be ordered to close their business. Failure to comply fully with the OHSA is a criminal offence, failure to take the necessary measures to prevent the transmission of coronavirus may result in criminal prosecution,” said Nxesi.
He said every employer must notify workers of the contents of the OHSA directives and how they will be implemented.
“They must inform employees that if they have COVID-19 symptoms they must not be at work and grant paid sick leave or apply for COVID-19 (Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme) TERS benefits,” he said.
Nxesi said employees have the responsibility to keep their workstations clean, and to follow directives in relation to health and safety.
“I need to make the point, that whilst we depend on the good will of
responsible employers, workers also have a responsibility here: to wash or
sanitise their hands, to wear the PPEs provided,” he said.
“It is vital that we get buy-in from the workers in the implementation of this Regulations/Direction, and we draw on the expertise that exists on the shop floor.”
Nxesi said employers must grant paid sick leave to those who are infected with Covid-19 and they must inform the Department of Health about any positive cases.
In relation to screening, Nxesi said employers must screen workers for symptoms of COVID19 at the time that they report for work, namely: fever, cough, sore throat, redness of eyes or shortness of breath (or difficulty in breathing); body aches, loss of smell or loss of taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness or tiredness.
“Workers should immediately inform the employer if they experience any symptoms while at work. Not doing so is a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act by the worker. More importantly, the worker puts themselves – and their co-workers – at risk,” he said.
“Workers with symptoms must be placed in isolation and arrangements made for their safe transport for a medical examination or for self-isolation.”
(Compiled by Inside Politics staff)