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• Organised accident prevention


  The development of accident prevention as a specialised field, from early times till now
• Safety legislation development


  1. In Europe

  2. In America

  3. In South Africa
• Common law defences used by employers in the industrial era

  • Assumption of risk
  • Contributory negligence
  • Fellow servant rule
• Organised safety in South Africa

  The development and activities of the main role-players in organised safety in South Africa
• Main systems in use by the biggest role-players in organised safety in South Africa

  • SA Chamber of Mines
  • National Occupational Safety Organisation (NOSA)
  • DNVS ILCI System
  • IRCAS CAPTM system
• The discipline of health and safety is relatively modern, only developing in the last century
• Throughout the ages people have voiced their concerns about people being exposed to harmful substances and harmful workplaces
• The health and safety movement has been impacted by legislation since the early ages
• Early examples of safety awareness

  • Ancient Chinese placing 1/6 of harvest on each of six boats to spread risk
  • Ancient Egyptians recognizing hazards of melting silver and gold
  • Hippocrates mentioning lead miners and workers suffering from diseases
• In medieval times, the master craftsman instructed apprentices and journeymen to work skilfully and safely
• The Industrial Revolution in England during the 17th century shifted the emphasis to faster and greater production and created the conditions that inspired the development of accident prevention as a specialised field
• The rate of worker injuries and deaths at early factories and production sites were appalling
• Workers' compensation laws


  Held the employer responsible for a share of the economic loss suffered by an employee involved in an accident/incident
• Managers soon discovered that efficient production and safety were closely related
• Injuries or accidents


  Traditionally regarded as random and unavoidable occurrences (accidents or acts of God) or as consequences of human wickedness or carelessness
• In England, the first concrete achievement of the reformers of health and safety was the adoption of an Act in 1702 for the preservation of the health and morals of apprentices and others employed in mills and factories
• In France, the first important factory legislation was passed in 1741
• In Prussia (Germany), the first steps to establish a factory inspection system took the form of regulations issued in March 1739 concerning the employment of young workers in factories
• In Belgium, a system of inspection was created by an Act concerning mines, smelting works and similar undertakings which were promulgated in April 1710
• In the United States of America, Massachusetts was the first state to pass an Act for the prevention of accidents in factories
• Prior to the discovery of gold and diamonds in South Africa the main economic activity was agriculture
• The first South African trade union, the Carpenters' and Joiners' Union, was established in 1771
• The Wiehahn Commission of Inquiry (1979) investigated the labour situation in South Africa and its recommendations changed the face of South African labour relations and labour law
• The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 came into effect on 11 November 1996 and heralded a new era in South African labour law
• The SA Chamber of Mines

  • Formed the Rand Mutual Assurance Company in 1794 to insure employees of member mining companies against accidents
  • Formed the Prevention of Accidents Committee in 1913, one of the world's pioneers in safety
• NOSA


  • A public company established in 1951 by major employer organisations and the then Workman's Compensation Commissioner
  • Objectives are to prevent occupational accidents and diseases and eliminate their causes and results on a national basis
• NOSA's Management By Objectives (MBO) System with Five-Star Grading


  • Developed in the early seventies
  • Adopted to include various protocols applicable to various industries and sectors
  • Based on the risk profile of any particular site, with an emphasis on effectiveness at an operational level
• DNVS ILCI System


  • Under the control of a Danish company, Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
  • Has three legs: ISRS for safety, IQRS for quality, and IERS for the environment
  • Uses the International Loss Control Institute (ILCI) System, founded by Frank Bird
• IRCAS CAPTM system


  • A management system audit developed to help build an effective system for incident and accident prevention
  • Organised into 15 elements, with optional technical elements that can be included
• The Safety First Association


  • Established in 1932, the oldest association of its kind in South Africa
  • Aims to promote an awareness of accident situations and environmental health problems at home, work and play
• The Association of Societies for Occupational Safety and Health (ASOSH)


  Established in 1977, an inter-disciplinary organisation through which member societies can exchange views, ideas and knowledge and focus cooperation in furthering the understanding and promotion of occupational health, safety and environmental health matters in southern Africa
• The Institute of Safety Management (loSM)


  • An organisation not for gain whose main aim is to promote the art and science of accident prevention and loss control
  • Provides various training courses and seminars throughout South Africa
• Occupational accidents cost money, and since the loss is ultimately incurred by society, every government should actively strive to prevent injury and death to workers
• Main Acts as far as occupational health and safety in South Africa is concerned

  • Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993
  • Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996
  • Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993
• Applicants to the Institute come from numerous occupational fields such as industrial, mining, government, electricity, security, fire protection, occupational health and hygiene consultancy
• Occupational accidents


  Cost money, ultimately incurred by society
• Most governments have set up health and safety regulations and factory inspection departments to ensure workers have a healthy and safe workplace
• Main Acts regulating occupational health and safety in South Africa

  • Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993
  • Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996
  • Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993
• Environmental Acts impacting occupational health and safety in South Africa

  • National Environmental Management Act, 62 of 2008
  • National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 10 of 2004
  • National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 59 of 2008
  • National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 39 of 2004
  • The National Building Regulations & Building Standards Act 103 of 1977
• Early safety legislation was driven by concerns over the use of children in factories, not accidents in industry