Occupational Health & Safety for Educational Facilities

Educational institutions have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for employees, learners, contractors and visitors. OHS compliance helps identify workplace hazards, manage risks and establish appropriate health and safety procedures. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 provides the legislative framework for workplace health and safety in South Africa.

An OHS compliance audit reviews the institution's health and safety arrangements against applicable legal requirements. Depending on the facility, this can include policies, risk assessments, statutory appointments, emergency procedures, fire and first aid arrangements, inspections, registers, incident documentation and other OHS records.

Yes. Risk assessments are an important part of managing occupational health and safety. Educational facilities can have hazards associated with classrooms, workshops, laboratories, kitchens, offices, maintenance activities, equipment, chemicals, electrical systems and emergency situations. The assessment should identify hazards and establish appropriate control measures.

The documentation required will depend on the institution, activities and workplace risks. An OHS system may include a Health and Safety Policy, risk assessments, legal appointments, inspection checklists, emergency procedures, evacuation plans, training records, incident registers, chemical documentation and employee communication records.

An OHS audit can form part of the documentation required for QCTO accreditation. QCTO guidance identifies a valid OHS audit report as one of the documents applicants may need to provide, and its accreditation policy requires applicable physical training and assessment premises to comply with OHS requirements.

OHS responsibility does not rest with one person alone. Employers have general duties regarding workplace safety, while managers, supervisors and employees have responsibilities within the OHS management system. Clear legal appointments, defined responsibilities, training and appropriate supervision help establish accountability.

Educational facilities should have emergency procedures appropriate to their premises and risks. This can include evacuation procedures, designated assembly points, emergency contacts, fire-fighting arrangements, first aid arrangements, responsible personnel and suitable evacuation plans. The exact arrangements should be determined through the institution's risk profile and applicable requirements.

Schools should check their OHS compliance before an inspection. Review your risk assessments, statutory appointments, training records, emergency procedures, fire and first aid arrangements, workplace inspections and Health and Safety File. Fix any outstanding gaps and ensure your documents match actual conditions on site.

Yes. OHS responsibilities can extend to principals, managers and other staff where duties have been assigned to them or they have responsibility for supervising work. They must follow safety procedures, report hazards and take reasonable steps within their authority to protect employees and others. The employer and CEO retain overall statutory responsibility for ensuring the OHS system is properly implemented.

OHS compliance is an ongoing process, not a once-off exercise. Schools should regularly review risk assessments, inspections, training, appointments and emergency procedures to identify and address new or outstanding risks. Ongoing support helps keep both OHS documentation and actual workplace conditions up to date.