Safer workplaces
Every full time, part time or casual employee or learner in a workplace is entitled to a safe working environment. Hospersa's growing concern about occupational health and safety matters resulted in the establishment of the following occupational health and safety systems and activities in the workplace:
- An active occupational health and safety committee that is trained to empower members with knowledge on occupational health and safety.
- Facilitating access to training of and advice and guidance to members regarding safer work practices in the workplace.
- A strong voice on proposed policy, guidelines and legislative changes affecting occupational health and safety at national and international level.
- Defending the rights of members to safe working conditions and to rightful compensation for occupationally acquired injuries and diseases, at the highest levels possible.
- A pool of basic survey information on health and safety systems in the public health sector.
- Periodic qualitative research projects and publications on occupational health and safety matters.
- The right to refuse working under unsafe conditions. For example, Hospersa played a key role in preventing accidents at the Pretoria Academic Hospital by requesting the intervention of labour inspectors who closed an unsafe facility in 2005.
- Submissions for the inclusion of volunteers, students and those who work in informal settings in preventing and compensating occupational injuries and diseases.
