The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a spotlight on the health and safety concerns across all economic sectors, resulting in mass production shut-downs, travel bans and supply chain disruptions on a global scale.
In South Africa, where a large portion of the workforce use public transport and access to quality health care is scant, it is more important than ever to take extra precautions and evaluate workplace preparedness to ensure the health and safety of all employees and the general public. However, this has always been a key focus in construction. With stricter processes now being put in place to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, construction companies are encouraged to show their compliance to health and safety regulations within the industry.
The MBA Health and Safety Competition
The Master Builders’ Association (MBA) Health and Safety Competition, which is in the process of accepting entries, is an opportunity for all of its members to improve the standard of their health and safety systems and receive valuable feedback and assistance on where their systems fall short.
Participation in the competition is voluntary and signifies an applicant’s compliance with relevant legislation and best practices in the industry. It also shows a commitment to a health and safety-first approach. The competition allows member companies to benchmark their Health and Safety Management Systems’ compliance and implementation against other regional companies.
According to Deon Bester, Occupational Health and Safety Manager for the Master Builders’ Association Western Cape (MBAWC), “The primary objective of the safety competition is to establish our members’ compliance with the statutory regulations, as well as to promote competition, which will ultimately improve the overall health and safety of the workforce.”
The competition is open to all members of the MBA. “There are a number of categories based on the financial value of the project and this affords everyone an equal opportunity to enter the competition irrespective of the size of the company. The competition also has a further three categories, which enable manufacturers, builders, plant yards and any other allied trades to the construction industry to participate,” continues Bester. Entry is free of charge.
The competition extends over four months and uses the Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) audit system to judge each of the sites entered.
“The audit comprises a legal administrative section and a physical inspection of the site. There are 19 sections judged, including: fire risks and the management thereof; temporary electrical installations; machinery on-site; scaffolding and formwork; as well as support work, fall protection and staff welfare,” comments Bester.
The Master Builders Association Western Cape invites all applicable members to enter the Regional competition. Regional winners are declared for each category and go on to participate in the National competition. The sites are audited by independent auditors and winners are awarded trophies at a National gathering which will be held later in the year.
Entry forms are available to download here or you can contact the MBAWC offices directly. Entries for the Regional competition close on 27th March 2020.
For more information, visit https://www.mbawc.org.za/