M.Cur. (Occupational Health Nursing) / Despite the available research findings, information, international recommendations, commission reports, political leadership, government commitment and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act no. 85 of 1993), as well as the legislative framework, there are still challenges with regard to the implementation of selected sections and regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act no. 85 of 1993) (OHS Act). This is evidenced by the occupational injuries and illness claims registered with the compensation fund (SA Department of Labour, 1993). The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the OHS Act was implemented at an academic hospital in Johannesburg, from the senior professional nurses and nursing managers’ perspective, and to describe recommendations in order to facilitate the implementation of the Act. A contextual, quantitative, exploratory and descriptive survey was conducted. A purposive sampling method was used to select the wards, senior professional nurses and nursing managers who met the inclusion criteria. A structured, Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect data (Brink, 2011). Stata version 12 was used to analyse the data. Cronbach’s alpha, with a cut-off point of 0.7 was used to test for internal consistency. Ethical considerations were in accordance with those of the Faculty of Health Science Higher Degree and Ethics Committee (2005). Results are presented in the form of graphs for demographic information, and frequency distributions for selected sections and regulations of the OHS Act are displayed in Tables. The study revealed that from the selected sections and regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act no. 85 of 1993), 95.4% of section 8; 100% of section 14; 75% of both sections 17 and 19 were not implemented, while 100% of all four regulations were also not implemented. Furthermore, the study revealed that overall there is 93.3% no implementation of the selected sections and regulations of the OHS Act, where 42 of the 45 items were not implemented. These results have serious implications on the health and safety of employees in the workplace. The recommendations made in the study will assist to facilitate the implementation of the selected sections and regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act no. 85 of 1993), at an academic hospital in the Johannesburg.

M. Tech. (Labour Relations Management, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Industrial accidents have proved to be more prevalent and costly than anticipated especially in developing countries including South Africa. Occupational accidents have direct and indirect cost implications for an organisation as well as society. Governments in many countries have tried to implement legislation to try and curb the scourge of industrial accidents. The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the level of employee adherence to the Occupational, Health and Safety Act (OHSA) 85 of 1993 in the steel manufacturing sector. This research provided an overview of various factors that influences employee’s level of understanding and adherence to the OHSA. This included factors such as information and training in health and safety; employee safety perception, employee safety awareness, employee safety adherence, employee behaviour with regard to health and safety, the role of the union in health and safety issues, accident reporting mechanism, and employee’s perceptions of the influence of rewards on health and safety. A structured questionnaire consisting of closed-ended questions was developed and disseminated in order to gather relevant data. Given the scale of the research, a quantitative research method was implemented. The population for the study strictly consisted of employees working in the steel manufacturing sector. A purposive sampling technique was selected. Statistical Package for Social Sciences 22.0 (SPSS) was used to analyse the data. The sample size of (n) =165 employees was involved in the study. The response rate for the total was (98.5%). Descriptive, frequency, correlation, regression and means analysis was employed in this study. The results of the study indicated that majority of the employees were aware and adhered with the requirements of the OHSA with the organisation. It was suggested that strong stake holder partnerships between unions, employers and employees be formulated. The state should reinforce the Department of Labour inspectorate by giving it more powers to be able to execute its task meritoriously and efficiently. It further suggested that the state must rapidly focus on recruiting and training more health and safety labour inspectors to ensure appropriate enforcement of health and safety regulations. Lastly it is advisable to create and engrave a health and safety culture within the organisation that focuses on highly on employee involvement and mutual trust. The proposed recommendation for the study, limitations and the conclusion of the study were outlined in Chapter 5.

Occupational Health and Safety focuses on the well-being of individuals or groups of people in the workplace. Barnett-Schuster (2008:1) states that Occupational Health and Safety is a concept compiled from many different disciplines. Among others, it includes: biological hazards, physical hazards, chemical hazards, mechanical/electrical hazards and psycho-social hazards. The employer has to understand that Occupational Health and Safety should follow a holistic approach. Occupational Health and Safety is a Constitutional imperative – a command, - not a request. Chapter 2 of the Constitution of South Africa no. 108 of 1996, The Bill of Rights provides protection to such an extent that human dignity may remain intact. Therefore, compliance with Occupational Health and Safety legislation is of cardinal value to any organization or business. An organization or business can also improve their financial standing and public image by complying with Occupational Health and Safety legislation. Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace is guided by the Occupational Health and Safety Act of South Africa no. 85 of 1993, which was implemented in 1994. The Occupational Health and Safety Act further aims to present clear explanations on concepts related to Health and Safety and enables both employers and employees to gain an understanding of their distinct responsibilities. Occupational Health and Safety is a concept that has been around for decades – especially focusing on the mining sector of South Africa. Occupational Health and Safety is observed in the South African technical schools. Statistics from the Children’s Institute show that 350 000 of these children are currently not attending school. In most cases, many parents/guardians do not take the time to assess the safety of their children at school before enrolling their child. This assessment should not only be looking at security measures applied in the school, but if and how true Occupational Health and Safety measures are in place. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is measures put in place so that learners/children are free from risk, injury, disease or harm. The lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools is in direct conflict with the Constitution of South Africa. As stated earlier, Occupational Health and Safety is a Constitutional imperative which is the responsibility and the right of each individual in South Africa. The lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools is a human rights issue based on the dignity of children. The lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools can be seen as a policy flaw. This study intends to create a holistic view of the managing and implementing Occupational Health and Safety in the South African school environment. Occupational Health and Safety is an integral part of teaching and learning. The research problem addressed in this study is: “How School Management Teams (SMT) experience, manage and implement Occupational Health and Safety policies in South African schools?”. The main aim of the research is to investigate how School Management Teams (SMT) experience, manage and implement Occupational Health and Safety policies in South African schools. By exploring Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools, this study would strive to obtain clarity on whether enough is being done to ensure the health and safety of learners in the school environment by means to explore the current Occupational Health and Safety management in the South African schools, identify the guidance provided on the Occupational Health and Safety implementation policy, investigate provisions for continual assessment of the process of the Occupational Health and Safety policy and provide recommendations for the lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of the study was to determine the causes of IODs in the workplace and to identify possible preventative measures to reduce IODs. A literature review was conducted as part of the study, involving assessment of all related articles and books on the subject of IODs in the workplace. A qualitative research methodology was utilised to conduct the study. The main research instruments were four focus group interviews and eight individual interviews. The study concluded that employees experienced IODs in different ways, with most participants describing negative experiences such as physical pain, undue financial hardship, psychological trauma and lack of support from the employer. A minor percentage experienced IODs in a positive sense in that there is heightened safety awareness in the workplace after an IOD has occurred, and the adoption of a more cautious approach by employees when performing their duties. From a practical and organisational/managerial perspective, the adoption of effective training of security officers and adherence to organisational standard operating procedures will assist in reducing IODs in the workplace. Limitations of the study included the small sample size from the research population, perceived language barriers during the interview processes and non-participation and inputs from managers at the organisation. However, it is hoped that the study will form the basis for further research to broaden the field to include parastatal or public-service entities / Human Resource Management / M. Com. (Human Resource Management)

Occupational Health and Safety focuses on the well-being of individuals or groups of people in the workplace. Barnett-Schuster (2008:1) states that Occupational Health and Safety is a concept compiled from many different disciplines. Among others, it includes: biological hazards, physical hazards, chemical hazards, mechanical/electrical hazards and psycho-social hazards. The employer has to understand that Occupational Health and Safety should follow a holistic approach. Occupational Health and Safety is a Constitutional imperative – a command, - not a request. Chapter 2 of the Constitution of South Africa no. 108 of 1996, The Bill of Rights provides protection to such an extent that human dignity may remain intact. Therefore, compliance with Occupational Health and Safety legislation is of cardinal value to any organization or business. An organization or business can also improve their financial standing and public image by complying with Occupational Health and Safety legislation. Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace is guided by the Occupational Health and Safety Act of South Africa no. 85 of 1993, which was implemented in 1994. The Occupational Health and Safety Act further aims to present clear explanations on concepts related to Health and Safety and enables both employers and employees to gain an understanding of their distinct responsibilities. Occupational Health and Safety is a concept that has been around for decades – especially focusing on the mining sector of South Africa. Occupational Health and Safety is observed in the South African technical schools. Statistics from the Children’s Institute show that 350 000 of these children are currently not attending school. In most cases, many parents/guardians do not take the time to assess the safety of their children at school before enrolling their child. This assessment should not only be looking at security measures applied in the school, but if and how true Occupational Health and Safety measures are in place. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is measures put in place so that learners/children are free from risk, injury, disease or harm. The lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools is in direct conflict with the Constitution of South Africa. As stated earlier, Occupational Health and Safety is a Constitutional imperative which is the responsibility and the right of each individual in South Africa. The lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools is a human rights issue based on the dignity of children. The lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools can be seen as a policy flaw. This study intends to create a holistic view of the managing and implementing Occupational Health and Safety in the South African school environment. Occupational Health and Safety is an integral part of teaching and learning. The research problem addressed in this study is: “How School Management Teams (SMT) experience, manage and implement Occupational Health and Safety policies in South African schools?”. The main aim of the research is to investigate how School Management Teams (SMT) experience, manage and implement Occupational Health and Safety policies in South African schools. By exploring Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools, this study would strive to obtain clarity on whether enough is being done to ensure the health and safety of learners in the school environment by means to explore the current Occupational Health and Safety management in the South African schools, identify the guidance provided on the Occupational Health and Safety implementation policy, investigate provisions for continual assessment of the process of the Occupational Health and Safety policy and provide recommendations for the lack of Occupational Health and Safety in South African schools. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

It is essential for both employers and employees to know and understand their obligations and rights about occupational health and safety. The study aimed at developing guidelines for the managers of health and safety programmes to promote compliance with OHS Act (No. 85 of 1993) among the food and beverage industry in South Africa. The study sites were from the four selected provinces of South Africa, with twenty three of them located in the Gauteng Province. A quantitative research method which is descriptive in nature was used to obtain in-depth knowledge on compliance to the health and safety legislation. Data was collected from 27 study sites using an inspection checklist and an interview- led questionnaire for the 202 employees. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Most employees on the study sites were young and therefore needed regular supervision, information, instruction and training to promote safe work and reduce injury and diseases. The study sites were male dominated. It emerged that there was general lack of consultation and communication with regards to health and safety matters between the employers and the employees. It was also noted that most study sites did not have a written and conspicuously placed health and safety policy and the OHS Act No. 85 of 1993. Majority of the study sites did not deploy adequate resources to manage problems related to health and safety at work and reduce their incidence. In addition, employees experienced injuries or illnesses at one point or the other as they were exposed to various occupational hazards. Finally, most study sites had poor housekeeping practices. Employers did not have the appropriate control measures, such as baseline risk assessments, in place. This placed employees at an increased risk of injuries and illnesses as well as the possibility of employers facing financial burdens such as higher compensation claims, medical specialist fees, fees involved in the replacement of injured employees or fees for the recruitment and training of new recruits. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)