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When employees are unaware of the basics of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), it poses significant safety risks.
This is a key issue in investigations related to non-compliance with SHE (Safety, Health, and Environment Management).
It is crucial to involve a private security company, such as Specialised Security Services, in these investigations to identify where the breakdowns in knowledge, training, and implementation of PPE occur.
RISK ASSESSMENTS TO IDENTIFY KNOWLEDGE GAPS:
The SSS Specialist Investigators start by conducting risk assessments to identify areas where employees are not adequately informed about the proper use of PPE.
Employees are observed during operations to see if PPE is being used correctly.
Workers using appropriate PPE for specific tasks are assessed (e.g., helmets in construction, respirators for handling chemicals).
Interviews or surveys are conducted to determine whether employees understand when and how to use their PPE, how to maintain it, and the risks of not using it correctly.
This assessment allows the investigators to pinpoint where knowledge gaps exist and what the potential risks are to employee health and safety.
EVALUATING TRAINING PROGRAMS:
A significant part of SHE compliance involves ensuring that employees are adequately trained in using PPE. Our organisation may investigate whether the business has:
Provided adequate training on the types of PPE required for specific tasks, how to wear it, and how to maintain it.
Kept training records to prove that employees have been trained regularly, especially for new equipment or after safety updates.
Updated their PPE training to reflect the latest regulations and best practices.
Additional training or retraining may be suggested if it becomes evident that employees do not fully understand how to use their PPE or if certain training materials are outdated.
INVESTIGATING NON-COMPLIANCE INCIDENTS:
When incidents occur—such as accidents, near misses, or workplace injuries—owing to the improper use or lack of PPE, SSS Specialist Investigators can investigate the root cause.
Employees involved in the incident are interviewed to determine whether they knew the PPE requirements and had been trained to use the correct equipment.
Incident reports are reviewed to see if PPE failures or lack of knowledge contributed to the accident.
The workplace is inspected to ensure that PPE was available, accessible, and in good condition at the time of the incident.
If the investigation reveals that employees did not understand the basics of PPE or were not adequately trained, SSS may recommend corrective actions to address the oversight.
RECOMMENDING CORRECTIVE ACTIONS:
When the investigation identifies that employees do not know the basics of PPE, SSS will recommend corrective actions to improve compliance and safety.
PPE Training Programs: Develop or update comprehensive PPE training programs to ensure employees are educated on the correct use of equipment, the importance of PPE, and the consequences of incorrect use.
PPE Usage Monitoring: Establish regular monitoring systems where supervisors ensure employees use the appropriate PPE during work. This ensures that employees understand the importance of PPE and apply this knowledge daily.
PPE Accessibility: Ensure that adequate PPE is readily available to all employees. Lack of correct equipment will discourage employees from using it appropriately.
Signage and Visual Cues: Install visible signage in work areas, reminding employees about PPE requirements.
This reinforces PPE usage and serves as an easy reference during tasks.
INVESTIGATING MANAGEMENT'S ROLE:
In cases where employees are not knowledgeable about PPE basics, the SSS Specialist investigators will investigate management's role in failing to enforce SHE policies.
Examine PPE Policies: Review company policies regarding PPE and safety training to see if they are clearly defined and correctly implemented.
Ensure Supervision: Determine whether supervisors and managers enforce PPE and monitor compliance. A lack of supervision will lead to complacency and a disregard for safety protocols.
Assess Accountability: Investigate whether management has taken steps to hold employees accountable for not using PPE or failing to attend required training sessions.
By holding management accountable, SSS helps businesses ensure that safety protocols are enforced from the top down.
REPORTING TO AUTHORITIES:
If the business consistently fails to address PPE issues, SSS will escalate the case to relevant regulatory authorities, such as South Africa's Department of Labour.
Failure to provide adequate PPE training or ensure appropriate use is a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
SSS Specialist Investigators will:
Submit reports on PPE-related incidents and results of investigations to regulators.
Facilitate inspections by authorities to ensure the business complies with safety laws.
Assist in legal proceedings, if necessary, by providing documentation and evidence from investigations.
PREVENTATIVE STRATEGIES:
Long-term preventative strategies for businesses are recommended to prevent future incidents of non-compliance. These include:
Ongoing Education: Regular refresher courses and workshops to ensure all employees are current on PPE usage, especially when new equipment or safety standards are introduced.
Safety Drills and Simulations: Conducting safety drills or simulations where employees practice using PPE in real-world scenarios reinforces their training.
Feedback Systems: Establish a feedback loop where employees report concerns about PPE, such as ill-fitting gear or the need for additional training. This helps the business stay proactive in addressing safety issues.
In one of our most recent cases, the premises of a prominent business burned to the ground, and SSS Specialist Investigators established that the extent of the fire was exacerbated because employees were not trained to handle fire extinguishers.
No lives were endangered, but the financial devastation could have been avoided.
When employees are unaware of the basics of PPE, it poses serious risks to their safety and the business's compliance with SHE Management. SSS and other private security companies are critical in investigating these knowledge gaps, identifying risks, and advising businesses on corrective actions. By conducting thorough risk assessments, evaluating training programs, and ensuring employee and management accountability, we ensure that workplaces remain safe, compliant, and well-equipped to handle SHE-related challenges.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Group.
This group is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
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