Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995)NoticesNational Bargaining Council For The Road Freight And Logistics Industry: Extension to Non-Parties of the Main Collective Amending AgreementCOVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment Main Collective Agreement - Extension to non-partiesA. Preamble |
| (1) | This Agreement is entered into pursuant to the provisions of the Directive on COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Measures In the Workplace Issued on 28 April 2020 by Department of Employment and Labour for employers to deal with COVID-19 at workplaces. In this regard, the Department of Employment and Labour appealed to employers to use the prescriptions of the OHSA and In particular the provisions of the Hazardous Biological Agents Regulations governing workplaces in relation to Coronavirus Disease 2019 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. |
| (2) | The purpose of this agreement is to align COVID-19 health and safety standards in the industry with the above -mentioned Directive on COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Measures in the Workplace that stipulate measures that must be taken by employers In order to protect the health and safety of workers and members of the public who enter their workplaces or are exposed to their working activities. |
| (3) | The objective of the Directive on COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Measures in the Workplace is to ensure that the measures taken by employers under OHSA are consistent with the overall national strategies and policies to minimise the spread of COVID-19. |
| (4) | The OHSA, read with its regulations and Incorporated standards, requires an employer to provide and maintain as far as is reasonably practicable a working environment that is safe and without risks to the health of workers and to take such steps as may be reasonably practicable to eliminate or mitigate the hazard or potential hazard. |
| (5) | The OHSA further requires employers, to ensure, as far as Is reasonably practicable, that all persons who may be directly affected by their activities (such as customers, clients or contractors and their workers who enter their workplace or come into contact with their employees) are not exposed to hazards to their health or safety. |
| (6) | The Directive on COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Measures In the Workplace is based on the prevention of the transmission of infections and specific occupational hygiene practices that focus on the need for employers to implement measures to mitigate or eliminate the transmission of the virus In the workplace. |
| (7) | The Directive on COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Measures in the Workplace Agreement does not reduce the existing obligations of the employer in terms of OHSA nor prevent an employer from implementing more stringent measures in order to prevent the spread of the virus. |
| (8) | This Agreement must be read In conjunction with the Regulations which government would issue from time to time. |