DUT, in conjunction with the Safety and Environment Campus Association of South Africa (SHECASA), hosted a conference which addressed sustainable solutions for health and safety in higher education on Friday, 09 September 2016.

The conference was held at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus.
In his welcoming address, Dr Gops Chetty, DUT Senior Director for Policy Planning and Projects, said it was a critical time for those who are in higher education to address issues of health and safety as well as environmental sustainability. “This is opportune time to discuss the many issues around health and safety. We need to address how we can manage health and safety issues on a campus. We must have a clear understanding of all health and safety issues that we have been faced with in the past and those we might face in the future,” said Dr Chetty.

Dave Manju, Umnotho Enterprises Safety Training Manager, echoed Dr Chetty’s sentiments around the application of health and safety precautions. “Application is always a problem, especially in a country like ours. Safety is a state of mind, however, we battle in making things happen. Behaviour based safety is a process that creates safety partnerships between management and employees that continually focuses on people’s attention and action,” he said.

Manju emphasised the importance of partnerships between employees and management with regards to health and safety issues. He re-iterated that the attitude of management towards employees on safety issues needs to change. He added that efforts to safeguard the organisation from harm is the work of both employees and management. “Safety should be embedded as a culture in an organisation; a lifestyle. It’s only through that exercise that the zero harm will be achieved”, he said. Manje added that industries have failed to understand what safety is as well as they can achieve zero harm. “People need to understand that safety management is a business science that must be managed well and implemented accordingly. We have everything in place but we still find that there are still injuries occurring. Safety is not something that you can just implement and go. It’s an ongoing process. Health and safety is a culture therefore looking ahead is important,” said Manju.

DUT’s Health and Environment (SHE) registered Occupational Safety Practitioner and SHECASA Deputy President, Lehlohonolo Mokhohlouloane, further elaborated that it was important for universities to adhere to all safety, health and environmental protocols. He added that without Management’s support in the enforcement and implementation of the system, all efforts of safety practitioners are a futile.

– Noxolo Memela and Siphephelo Sibiya

Pictured: DUT Health and Environment registered Occupational Safety Practitioner, Lehlohonolo Mokhohlouloane.