DID ANNUAL REPORT 2023_24

Annual Report 2023-2024

The Department has adopted the code with the aim of developing a professional public Service, as envisioned by the National Development Plan. This provides direction to employees about what is expected of them from an ethical point of view, both in their individual conduct and in their relationships with others. Adherence to the code is non-negotiable as it intended to improve public sector professionalism and credibility. Any violation of the code constitutes misconduct under the Public Service Act (as amended) on the part of the offending employee and hence preventative, restorative, and disciplinary actions are taken based on it. The code was presented in the Senior Management meeting and in the future workshops are planned to further embed the undertaking and applicability of the code across the organisation. It is the duty of the employer to make every effort to ensure that all employees are familiar with the code and its provisions. The National Development Plan’s vision for a professional Public Service is key to the Code of Conduct’s overarching goal of encouraging good behaviour. It should be noted that all workers in the Public Service are responsible for adhering to the stipulated Code of Conduct in accordance with Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council Resolution 2 of 1999. Proactive, corrective, and even punitive action are all grounded on the code. The code’s principal goal is to encourage outstanding behaviour. It should also be noted that, per Resolution 2 of the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (1999), all public servants are accountable for following the code. All preventative, restorative, and disciplinary measures must be instituted against Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is a requirement in the workplace that is legislated and governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) of South Africa. Thus, OHS is a crucial function in advancing the mandate of the DID and in achieving the department’s vision of being a trusted provider of integrated and smart public infrastructure and property management solutions that transform the spatial landscape and improve the quality of life of the citizens of Gauteng. All this would not be possible without the practice of taking care of the occupational health and safety of employees by creating and maintaining a sustainable working environment that is healthy, safe and without harm to employees and stakeholders, both mentally and physically with a strong focus on primary prevention of hazards and prevention accidents and mitigation of harmful risks. In a bid to ensure compliance to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) the following progress has been made in the implementation of sound OHS practices within DID. OHS governance structures and statutory appointments: The Department has appointed six OHS officers on a 12-month contractual basis, to establish and implement a proactive approach to workplace health and safety. The Department ensures the compliance with the requirements of the OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993) and all aspects related to the construction regulations. Approximately 401 OHS representatives 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 Act in the following areas, safety, health and environment (SHE) representation, first aid, firefighting, and evacuation marshalling. Additionally, more than 200 OHS committee members have been appointed and thirteen (13) OHS committees were set up to ensure compliance in various DID regional facilities. 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 Act 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. a breach of the code by any official required to be adhere and comply with it. 6. HEALTH SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

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DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT