FACULT OF HEALTH SCIENCES

NAME:

HLENGIWE LT MUTUBUKI

STUDENT NUMBER:

R 118577MP

COURSE TITLE

: HEALTH POLICY

TOPIC

SAFETY AND HEALTH POLICY REVIEW

LECTURER:

PROF. A CHIDEME MUNODAWAFA

DUE DATE:

2 March 2012

1.0 SAFETY AND HEALTH POLICY PREAMBLE The purpose of institutional and other organisational policies is to communicate the guiding and governing principles on which the activities of the particular organisation are based. The policy is intended to support the vision, mission and values of the organisation and should be applied with flexibility and judgement consistent with the goals, obligations and strategic priorities of the organisation. Any policy review may need to, inter alia focus on the following:

identification of the issue or the problem to be addressed need for policy review consultation with major stake holders determination of support and assistance required Comparison of information from external institutions or internal functional units. Craft the policy within the purview of the guiding principles distribute and share the revised version with the relevant groups present the revised version of the policy to the appropriate line managers implementation of policy

2.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS

3.0 The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) Health and safety policy 2006 to date

NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY AUTHORITY HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY The National Security Authority (NSSA) aims to provide protection and care for all Zimbabweans through viable social security scheme and ensure that all people in various industrial sectors work in safe work environments where risks to human health are recognized, identified and controlled. Cognisant of the constitutional rights to life and health, NSSA is committed to creating and sustaining safe and healthy work environments throughout its business operations. Pursuant to this, NSSA will, ensure that all accidents and incidents which result in personal injury and damage to property are prevented. ensure that both management and employees have a shared responsibility to maintain the standards of health and safety throughout its business activities. manage all occupational health and safety risks through comprehensive management systems and best practices. comply with all health and safety legislation and standards where there is nssa business which is not covered by these standards, then the best practices which will protect employees health and safety will be implemented. communicate openly and widely with all key stakeholders on occupational health and safety issues in pursuance of a culture of prevention. ensure that employees have the right to refuse to work under unsafe and unhealthy work conditions. ensure that employees are provided with adequate and appropriate protection for them to carry out their duties safely. ensure functional competency and expertise of all its employees through training and human resources development. work with and ensure that our suppliers, contractors and anyone else who does business with us comply with our occupational health and safety standards. periodically review our business activities and creates programmes to bring about continuous improvements in health and safety performance, as well as optimise efficiency and minimise waste. provide suitable and adequate resources for the management and implementation of this policy.

........................................... General Manager

.............................................................. Workers Representative (Chairman)

........................................... Date

.............................................................. Date

This policy review is also guided by the following guiding questions: does the policy mention the business in which NSSA is involved is the policy appropriate to the nature, scale of operation and occupational safety and health risks of the organisation in the industry does the policy include commitment to comply with applicable laws, industrial codes of practice and other requirements to which the organisations subscribe does the policy include a commitment to a continual improvement and prevention of accidents, injuries and industrial accidents does the policy provide the framework for setting and reviewing OSH objectives and targets for management, control and elimination of OSH risks does the policy ensure the consultation and participation of workers and their representatives in all elements of OSH management systems 4.0 Areas reviewed on the NSSA health and safety policy The policy was developed in 2006 and it was the first policy on occupational Health and Safety ever. This was a major development since NSSA is responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance on safety and health issues at national level. A policy manual was developed but was never implemented, as a result of change of management that then took place during that same period. this was going workers being trained in safety issues in order to increase the level of awareness in as far as safety and health is concerned. a. The policy was crafted under the department then known as the Health and Safety department that is why the policy is also referred to as the Health and Safety Policy. With the change of department name to occupational Safety and Health under a new director, the policy should also change its name to Safety and health Policy, the argument being that if one works in a safe environment there are few chances that the person may have their health affected as a result of their occupation. b. The element of Environment was left out. Although Environmental issues greatly affect peoples health indirectly they have serious consequences on peoples health. Air pollution resulting from stack emissions of heavy metal processing industries, for example results in serious respiratory health problems. Another good example is the release of waste or sewage water into the natural water bodies which ends up being used by residents around the water sources, causing outbreaks of diarrhea diseases. c. No specific or particular person or section within the Occupational Safety and Health Department was tasked with reviewing the policy hence the lack of review to date. d. A responsible person is supposed to be appointed in compliance with the law. The person is important in that they are in charge of all machinery and projects within the organization. He/she is tasked with ensuring safety and health in the workplace, amongst workers, clients as well as contractors.

PROPOSED REVIEWED SAFETY AND HEALTH POLICY FOR THE NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY AUTHORITY (NSSA)

NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY AUTHORITY (NSSA) SAFET,HEALTH and ENVIRONMENT POLICY The National Security Authority (NSSA) aims to provide protection and care for all Zimbabweans through viable social security scheme and ensure that all people in various industrial sectors work in safe work environments where risks to human health are recognized, identified and controlled. Cognisant of the constitutional rights to life and health, NSSA is committed to creating and sustaining safe and healthy work environments throughout its business operations. Pursuant to this, NSSA will, ensure that all accidents and incidents which result in personal injury and damage to property and environment are prevented. ensure that both management and employees have a shared responsibility to maintain the standards of safety, health and environment throughout its business activities. manage all occupational safety, health and environment risks through comprehensive management systems and best practices. comply with all safety, health and environment legislation and standards in NSSA business which is not covered by these standards, to ensure best practices which will protect employees safety and health will be implemented. communicate openly and widely with all key stakeholders on occupational safety, health and environment issues in pursuance of a culture of prevention. ensure that employees have the right to refuse to work under unsafe and unhealthy work conditions. ensure that employees are provided with adequate and appropriate protection for them to carry out their duties safely. ensure functional competency and expertise of all its employees through training and human resources development. work with and ensure that our suppliers, contractors and anyone else who does business with us comply with our occupational safety, health and environment standards. periodically review our business activities and creates programmes to bring about continuous improvements in safety, health and environment performance, thereby optimising efficiency and minimising waste. provide suitable and adequate resources for the management and implementation of this policy.

........................................... General Manager

.............................................................. Workers Representative (Chairman)

........................................... Date

.............................................................. Date