GDID ANNUAL REPORT 2024/25

2 Implementation of GAS and GAP audit findings (Gauteng Audit Standards) In the financial year 2022/2023 DID was audited by GAS and a GAP audit was also conducted by an external service provider on the implementation of OHS systems and practices. Recommendations were also made on areas of non conformity. The main aim of these audits was to assist the Department to meet minimum compliance requirements and to ensure that the workplace is safe and healthy as mandated by the OHS Act 85 of 1993 and its Regulations. In the year under review action plans were developed with a view to implementing audit recommendations and the gaps identified in the Department’s OHS systems; 85% of audit recommendations have been implemented and monitored by the OHS officer on a quarterly basis to track progress. There were about 306 OHS representatives who were trained with a view to ensure that Health and safety governance structures are functional and effective and that safety teams are able to discharge their duties in a competent manner as mandated by the OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993) in the following areas: Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Representation, First Aid, Fire Fighting, and Evacuation Marshalling. Additionally, more than 200 OHS Committee members have been appointed and 13 OHS Committees were set up to ensure OHS compliance in various DID regional facilities and committee meetings were held on a quarterly basis. Additionally, the Head of Department (HOD) signed appointment letters to delegate her OHS duties as the accounting officer in terms of Section 16.1 of the OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993) to the senior executive members to fulfil the duties stipulated in section 16.2 of the OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993) and also serve in the executive OHS committee once it is established. This is also a way of ensuring that OHS within DID is elevated to the strategic level and supports the fulfilment of the objectives of the Department. Emergency evacuation drills The Department reports that there were (11) Emergency evacuation drills which were conducted in all Regional Offices to raise awareness of fire hazards and familiarise employees with evacuation procedures and prepare them to respond swiftly in a case of emergency. Compulsory OHS inductions. About 90% of the staff were inducted on OHS covering the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), workplace hygiene, safe use of electrical and hand tools, potential hazards identified in the Department, as well as measures to mitigate the risks emanating from the hazards. The main purpose of the OHS Induction was to train and inform employees on the identified hazards and how to eliminate them. The induction was also aimed at encouraging employees to work safely and ensure that they perform their daily duties safely to reduce incidents and injuries. Additionally, as and when new employees join the Department, they are inducted to ensure that they are conversant with the hazards that they may be exposed to during the course of their employment. Baseline Risk Assessment: The Department conducted a baseline risk assessment in 2022 to identify all potential hazards that the employees may be exposed to in their line of work. The risk assessment identified hazards in areas such as workshops, boiler houses, laundries, mortuaries, and administration, as well as all potential technical hazards. As part of the implementation of recommendations, DID conducted a series of workshops in various sites to educate on the inherent hazards and risks identified through the baseline risk assessment. This is to ensure that employees are informed and conversant with the risks they are exposed to daily and how to eliminate, minimise or mitigate them as required by Section 13 of the OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993).

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DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT