HBK CHAT VOL: 22 ISS 1

SHERQ Space

VOL 22: ISS 1

Do you know your SHE duties as an employee? - Compiled by Nontobeko Gumede

Here are some changes in the SHE legislation to take note of: NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT 107 OF 1998 * Amendment of Section 24H Registration Authority Regulations, 2016. Published in GG 45883 Notice Number 1733 dated 7 February 2022 and Published in GG 45886 Notice Number 1735 dated 8 February 2022 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT 10 OF 2004 * Declaration of certain land as part of the existing Harold Porter National Botanical Garden. Published in GG 45930 Notice Number 1763 dated 18 February 2022. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: WASTE ACT 59 OF 2008 * Amendments to the List of Waste Management Activities that have, or are likely to have, a Detrimental Effect on the Environment. Published in GG 45907 Notice Number 1757 dated 11 February 2022.

Are you aware that safety, health and environment is the responsibility of all employees? Every employee has the responsibility and duty to take reasonable care of his own health and safety and the health and safety of any other person who may be affected by his acts/omissions. This is how to carry out SHE duties: * Be aware of and understand all the hazards and risks associated with your job and work area * Cooperate and carry out all instructions given to prevent any incidents related to health and safety * Always follow safe work procedures for hazardous tasks * Report any high-risk conditions to the SHE Rep and supervisor as soon as possible * Report any incident (an injury or anything which may affect health and environment) to the supervisor and SHE Rep as soon as possible and before the end of the shift * Assist the employer to establish and maintain a healthy and safe working environment. As an employee, you must speak up when: * You don’t understand the task or safe work procedure * You have innovative ideas * You see a colleague not following safety precautions (reprimand unsafe working behaviours) * You see a colleague adhering to SHE protocols (reward good work) * You need assistance or have a concern.

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