No. 215 Pretoria Road V.A.T. No.

4740222437
Rynfield REG. No. 2009/125603/23
Benoni Tel: (011) 849-9797
1501 Fax:(011) 849-1843

COVID-19 NELSON V CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE POLICY

SCOPE
This policy applies to all employees.

PURPOSE
To set clear guidelines in how to manage the COVID-19 virus in the workplace.

SOCIAL DISTANCING
The workplace will be arranged to ensure minimal contact between workers and as far as practicable
ensure that there is a minimum of one and a half (1.5) meters between workers while they are working,
e.g. at their workstations.

Depending on the circumstances the minimum distance may need to be longer or wider.

If it is not practicable to arrange work stations to be spaced at one and a half (1.5) meters apart, the
following will be done:

1. Physical barriers will be placed between work stations or erected on work stations to form a solid
physical barrier between workers while they are working.

2. All employees will be provided with appropriate PPE based on a risk assessment of the working place.

Social distancing measures will be implemented through supervision both in the workplace and in the
common areas outside the immediate workplace through queue control or within the workplace such as
canteens and bathrooms. These measures may include dividing the workforce into groups or stagger
break times to avoid the concentration of workers in common areas.

HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES

Symptom screening
1. All employees and workers will be screened every day when they report for work to ascertain
whether they have any of the observable symptoms associated with COVID-19 i.e:
• Temperature or fever • Cough
• Sore throat • Redness of eyes
• Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing

2. Every employee will be required to report whether they suffer from any of the following
additional symptoms:
• Body aches • Loss of smell
• Loss of taste • Nausea
• Vomiting • Diarrhoea

Director: N. Vilarhino
No. 215 Pretoria Road V.A.T. No.4740222437
Rynfield REG. No. 2009/125603/23
Benoni Tel: (011) 849-9797
1501 Fax:(011) 849-1843
• Fatigue • Weakness
• Tiredness

3. All employees MUST immediately inform their supervisor

if they experience any of the symptoms. If an employee presents with any of the symptoms or
informs his/her line manager of these symptoms, the following procedures will be followed:

1. The employee will not be permitted to enter the workplace or report for duty; OR
2 If the employee is already at work:
• The employee will immediately be isolated and will be provided with a FFP1 surgical
mask. Arrangements will be made for the employee to be transported in a manner
that does not place other employees or members of the public at risk to be either
self-isolated or for a medical examination or testing; and
• Assess the risk of transmission, disinfect the area and the worker’s workstation.
Employees who may be at risk will be referred for screening and any other
appropriate measure to prevent possible transmission will be taken.

3. Ensure that the employee is tested or referred to an identified testing site.

4. The employee will be placed on paid sick leave in terms of section 22 of the Basic
Conditions of Employment Act. If the employee’s sick leave entitlement is exhausted,
application will be made to UIF on the COVID-19 Temporary Employer Relief Scheme.
5. The employee will not be discriminated against on ground of having tested positive for
COVID19.
6. If the employee contracted COVID-19 as a result of occupational exposure, a claim for
compensation will be lodged in terms of COIDA.

If an employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and was isolated in accordance with the
Department of Health Guidelines, the employee may to return to work on the following
conditions:
1. The employee has undergone a medical evaluation confirming that the employee has
tested negative for COVID-19;
2. The employee strictly adheres to personal hygiene, wears a mask, social distancing and
cough etiquette.
3. The employee will be closely monitored for symptoms when returning to work.

Sanitisers, disinfectants and other measures

1. Hand sanitisers will have at least 70% alcohol content and will be in accordance with the
recommendations of the Department of Health.
2. Sufficient quantities of hand sanitiser will be provided to employees and any persons who
access the workplace.

Director: N. Vilarhino
No. 215 Pretoria Road V.A.T. No.4740222437
Rynfield REG. No. 2009/125603/23
Benoni Tel: (011) 849-9797
1501 Fax:(011) 849-1843
3. Employees who work away from the workplace other than at home will be provided with
an adequate supply of hand sanitiser.
4. Hand sanitiser will be on an employee’s workstation if the employee interacts with the
public. The hand sanitiser will be for the employee and the person with whom the
employee is interacting.
5. All work surfaces and equipment are to be disinfected before work begins, regularly
during the working period and after work ends.
6. All areas such as toilets, common areas, door handles, shared electronic equipment etc.
must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
7. All biometric systems will be disabled and timesheets will be used for clocking staff in and
out. Each employee should have their own pen to complete the timesheets. If pens or
stationery are to be shared, wipes will be provided to allow staff to clean pens etc. before
using them.
8. Sufficient water and soap will be available to wash hands regularly.
9. Paper towels will be provided to dry hands after washing. In terms of regulations fabric
towelling is prohibited.
10. Employees are required to wash their hands and sanitise their hands regularly while at
work.
11. Employees interacting with the public are required to wash their hands and sanitise their
hands regularly while at work.
12. Surfaces that employees and members of the public come into contact with must be
routinely cleaned and disinfected.

Cloth Masks and Face Shields

1. The main benefit of everyone wearing a cloth mask is to reduce the amount of virus
droplets being coughed up by those with the infection and transmitted to others and to
surfaces that others may touch. As some persons with the virus may not have symptoms
or may not know they have the virus; the Department of Health requires that all persons
wear cloth masks when in a public place.
2. All employees will be issued with two (2) cloth masks which they are required to wear
while at work and while commuting to and from work. Employees will be required to
wash these masks on a regular basis.
3. All employees will be issued with a face shield which they can choose to wear at work.
4. Any other workers, e.g. contractors will be required to wear masks in the workplace.
5. The general requirement for workers to wear masks does not derogate from the fact that
where a risk assessment indicates that PPE is required, those categories of workers must
be provided with the accredited PPE in accordance with the Department of Health
guidelines.

Measures in respect of workplaces to which public have access

Director: N. Vilarhino
No. 215 Pretoria Road V.A.T. No.4740222437
Rynfield REG. No. 2009/125603/23
Benoni Tel: (011) 849-9797
1501 Fax:(011) 849-1843
The principal purpose of the measures contained in the following clause is to protect workers
from being exposed to the virus though their interaction with the public and to protect members
of the public from being exposed to the virus through their interaction with workers or other
persons present in such a workplace.

Depending on what is reasonably practicable given the nature of the workplace the following will
apply:
• The workplace will be arranged in such a way that there is a distance of at least one and a
half (1.5) meters between workers and members of the public or between members of the
public; or
• Physical barriers will be put in place or workers will be provided with face shields or visors.
• If appropriate, undertake symptom screening measures of persons other than the employees
entering the workplace with due regard to available technology.
• If appropriate, display notices advising persons other than employees entering the workplace
of the precautions they are required to observe while in the workplace.
• All members of the public, including suppliers will be required to wear masks when inside the
property.

Ventilation
The workplace will be kept well ventilated by natural or mechanical means to reduce the viral
load. Filters need to be cleaned and replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
by a competent person.

Vehicles All drivers are required to do the following:

1. Use wipe to open the door of the vehicle or wipe the door handle before getting into the
vehicle.
2. Wipe the steering wheel, hand brake and gear shift before starting the vehicle. Sanitise
hands before starting to drive.
3. Before getting out of the vehicle wipe down the steering wheel, hand brake and gear
shift. Sanitise hands.
4. Wear a cloth mask at all times. Additional Documents
• All employees will be required to review and sign the Health Screening Questionnaire before
being permitted to work on campus. DISCIPLINARY ACTION Disciplinary action will be taken
against any employee who fails to comply with health and safety regulations in the workplace.

Register
NAME SURNAME DATE SIGNATURE

NAME SURNAME DATE SIGNATURE

Director: N. Vilarhino
No. 215 Pretoria Road V.A.T. No.4740222437
Rynfield REG. No. 2009/125603/23
Benoni Tel: (011) 849-9797
1501 Fax:(011) 849-1843

Director: N. Vilarhino