By Diane Silcock
BBF Safety Group, South Africa’s leading local manufacturer of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is highlighting the importance of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legal compliance. This is in light of the Department of Employment and Labour’s (DOEL) proposed amendments to South Africa’s health and safety legislation.
Passionate about creating safe working environments, BBF adopted an integrated approach to workplace safety in recent years, incorporating into its business a dedicated SHEQ Services division that includes consulting and training.
New legislation expected to more strongly enforce OHS legal compliance
Willie Coetzee who manages BBF’s SHEQ services says, “BBF is unique in South Africa in that we offer a full portfolio of head-to-toe PPE plus the added value of professional OHS legal compliance services. OHS legal compliance is not a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.”
From small businesses to large corporations, in all sectors of industry, companies have an obligation to set up an OHS legal compliance management programme. Coetzee says, “Section 8 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act states that every employer shall provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment. This will be enforced even more so when the new legislation comes into being.”
Non-compliance has consequences: Revenue loss due to production downtime and fines/imprisonment
The fines imposed on companies by inspectors from the Department of Employment and Labour for non-compliances are heavy. Coetzee cites an example of a company whose production was halted when an inspector arrived unexpectedly finding OHS anomalies. To avoid lost revenue, exorbitant fines, and possible incarceration of the responsible executive, companies should ensure that they are fully OHS compliant.
“Accountability ultimately lies with the CEO,” says Coetzee, “Section 16 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act outlines certain duties a CEO is charged with. It’s for this reason that I include top management in my first training session. The new draft legislation, not yet published, indicates that fines could be as high as R5-million or five-years’ imprisonment or both. Current legislation states that fines can be up to R100 000 or 24-months’ imprisonment or both, or R50 000 or 12-months’ imprisonment or both.”
Moreover, employees are also legally obligated to cooperate with their employers, to ensure compliance with duties and requirements as laid out in Section 14 of the OHS Act.
Driving workplace safety with comprehensive OHS compliance solutions
BBF offers specialised services in developing and implementing robust OHS legal compliance programmes while upskilling workforces to meet regulatory standards. “A legal compliance programme starts with the training,” says Coetzee. “We conduct thorough risk assessments and identify workplace non-conformities. This allows us to implement corrective measures, followed by monthly inspections and audits to help employers maintain a safe, healthy, and legally compliant work environment.”
New developments in BBF’s PPE and the export market
Recognising the critical need for proper safety training, BBF provides expert-led work-at-height training to equip workers with the knowledge and skills to operate safely in high-risk environments. Complementing this, BBF has introduced advanced belted and non-belted harnesses with 45mm webbing, engineered for maximum durability and security when working at height. These innovations set new benchmarks for workplace safety, particularly in industries where fall protection is paramount.
BBF’s product portfolio of leading safety footwear and workwear brands (BOVA, Frams, Sisi, Nikki, Lemaitre, and Wayne) continues to evolve, catering to both men and women, including pregnant ladies. With a growing focus on comfort and style, BBF’s latest safety footwear ranges are not only highly reliable but also fashionable—an evolution that has been well received by customers. Manufactured locally at four ISO:9001 accredited facilities, BBF’s products are also exported to over 40 countries, reinforcing their reputation in the global market.
By taking a proactive approach to safety, BBF empowers businesses to not only meet but exceed OHS requirements, fostering a culture of compliance and quality of work life.
Coetzee concludes, “At BBF, we strive to keep people safe by providing a complete workplace solution that is OHS compliant.”
