Latest News & Views

Did you know that research shows that South Africa ranks among one of the highest in mental health disorders globally?

In fact a study conducted by Ipsos reveals that over 70% of South Africans have faced stress levels that make it difficult to cope with life’s demands, and more than half have reported feeling so stressed over the last year, that they couldn’t even work.

When I was reading through this study I was initially a little shocked to see such high statistics. The more I read and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that almost everyone I know has mentioned in passing how much they are struggling to cope, due to the anxiety they experience on a constant basis. And I have no doubt that you have experienced the same thing when speaking to others.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.

Clearly there is a pressing need for this vital health and safety concern to be taken more seriously within the workplace.

What does the law in South Africa say?

South Africa’s Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHSA) mandates that employers provide a safe and healthy working environment, which includes mental well-being. Additionally, the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 prohibits discrimination based on mental health conditions, requiring employers to accommodate employees with mental health challenges reasonably.

In fact failure to comply with these laws can result in legal consequences, such as findings of unfair dismissal or discrimination. Therefore, promoting mental health is not just good business practice; it’s a legal requirement.

So how can employers safeguard their employees & promote mental health?

Build Awareness and Reduce Stigma

Organize mental health workshops and campaigns to educate employees.
Encourage open conversations about mental health to normalize seeking help.

Offer Support Services

Provide access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that include confidential counseling.
Partner with mental health professionals to offer on-site or virtual support.

Train Managers and Leaders

Equip managers with the skills to recognize and address mental health challenges.
Ensure leadership sets the tone by modeling healthy work habits.

Promote Work-Life Balance

Implement flexible working arrangements to reduce stress wherever possible.
Encourage employees to take regular breaks and use their leave.

Regularly Assess Workplace Mental Health

Conduct surveys or risk assessments to identify stressors.
Actively address issues such as heavy workloads, toxic environments, or unclear roles.

What are the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace?

By taking the time and making the effort to invest in mental health, there will be benefits to both the employees and the organization. Your employees will feel more valued and supported, which enhances morale and loyalty. For businesses, this translates into higher productivity, reduced absenteeism, and improved team cohesion. Moreover, a positive approach to mental health enhances a company’s reputation.

Conclusion

Mental health is a cornerstone of a thriving workplace. By prioritizing mental well-being, employers can create environments that support their teams holistically while meeting legal and ethical obligations. It’s time to move beyond awareness and take meaningful action—because a healthy mind is the foundation of a healthy business.

Need help implementing an effective Wellness Program and reducing the mental health risks in your work environment?

Get in touch and we’ll help your company truly thriving!

Risk Management: New Responsibilities
for Employers in South Africa

In response to the rapidly evolving corporate environment and the need for improved workplace safety standards, South Africa has introduced significant updates to its Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. These changes mark a shift from generic safety strategies to more detailed, workplace-specific risk management plans. Here’s what you need to know about these important developments.

Risk Management Plans

Employers in South Africa are now required to develop, implement & maintain comprehensive risk management plans that are specifically tailored to their workplace’s unique hazards and risks. This move is a significant departure from the previously generic approaches, aiming to ensure that safety protocols are directly relevant and effective for each specific environment.

These risk management plans must encompass detailed policies, procedures, and training programs that address the specific risks identified within a particular workplace. The goal is to create a proactive safety culture where every aspect of the operation is designed to enhance safety and prevent accidents.

Moving Away from Generic Strategies

The new regulations emphasize the need for specificity and practicality in safety measures. Generic strategies are no longer sufficient; instead, the focus is on creating customized solutions that are aligned with the actual conditions and hazards present in each workplace. This approach ensures that safety protocols are not only theoretical but are practical and actionable, making them more effective in preventing workplace injuries and incidents.

Tailored Policies, Procedures, and Training Programs

Under the updated OHS Act, employers must implement tailored policies and procedures that address the unique risks associated with their workplace. Training programs must also be customized to ensure that employees are adequately prepared to handle the specific hazards they may encounter in their roles.

This means that safety training is no longer a one-size-fits-all process. Instead, it must be precise and relevant, equipping employees with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe in their specific work environment.

Increased Responsibility and Accountability

The amendments place a greater responsibility on employers to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees. However, they also demand higher levels of awareness and compliance from employees, who are expected to actively participate in maintaining safety standards and identifying potential hazards.

Employers are now tasked with ensuring that their risk management plans are not only comprehensive but also effectively communicated and adhered to by all employees. To ensure that the plans remain relevant and effective this will include, regular training sessions, updates to safety protocols and ongoing assessments

Conclusion

The updated OHS Act represents a significant step forward in enhancing workplace safety in South Africa. By requiring detailed, workplace-specific risk management plans, the amendments aim to create safer work environments and reduce the risk of workplace injuries and incidents.

While achieving all of this might seem daunting, Kaygrant is well equipped to assess and assist your unique company in developing, implementing and maintaining these risk management plans to make sure your work environment is safe.

Get in touch today!

Fall Protection Plans: What Are They & Why Are They Important?

In industries where working at heights is a common occurrence, ensuring the safety of workers is a priority. Among the many tools and strategies available, a fundamental aspect of safeguarding against falls is implementation of a comprehensive fall protection plan. But what exactly is a fall protection plan? And why is it crucial in today’s workplace?

A fall protection plan is a documented strategy designed to prevent falls and protect workers who perform tasks at elevated heights. It outlines procedures, protocols and safety measures necessary to mitigate the risks associated with working at heights.

So why is a fall protection plan so important?

Without a proper fall protection plan in place the consequences could be severe for both the worker and the employer, and these include:

Increased risk of injury or fatality
Legal liability implications for the employer
Workplace inspections & enforcement actions from the Department of Labour
A damaged reputation should an accident occur
Financial costs – due to injuries & damages caused
Loss of productivity – due to disruptions caused by accidents
Negative employee morale – due to an unsafe working environment

Taking all of these risks into consideration, there is no doubt that having and implementing a fall protection plan really is worth it.

So whether you work in construction, maintenance, solar installations or even window cleaning, please take the time to consider whether your working environment is truly as safe as it could be.

Did you know that Kaygrant has qualified consultants to help you with your fall protection planning needs?

Meet Our Team leader...

Andrew Farrow is the Owner & Managing Member at Kaygrant Technical Services. With more than 20 years of experience in the SHEQ field he leads our team in the best way, as we endeavor to provide a quality service to all our clients.

Andrew has long had the reputation for always going the extra mile for his clients and for his team mates, which is what makes him a great team leader. He works hard, plays hard and always encourages and supports those around him in the most constructive and wholesome way he can.

Congrats Andrew!

Andrew was recently accepted as a Professional Technical Member at Saiosh!

With Andrew’s constant desire to grow in knowledge and new experiences we know that this is only the beginning, and look forward to all the wonderful insights you will no doubt share with us along the way.

Custom Safety Files

Why use Kaygrant for your safety files?

We have found that each client requires their safety files to be laid out in a very specific manner. Some companies have very basic requirements for their files, while others require very detailed and specialized documentation to be present in their files. This can be a very time consuming process and sometimes despite your best efforts the file is often rejected and then sent back for further editing.

This is where we come in…

We work with you and your client to ensure that your safety files are customized according to their site specific requirements.

Our safety files are delivered to you ready to sign off and send to your client for approval.

We can also help with any SHEQ training that is needed in order to comply with your clients’ requirements.

Electrical Lock Out Kits

Why are these kits a vital asset to have on hand?

Throughout our many years working with a variety of different companies, we have found that many people take an astounding amount of shortcuts when it comes to safety.

What may seem like a quick fix or an “I’ve done this tons of times” moment, has often been the cause of serious injuries, further damage to expensive machinery and even death.

Having a customized lock out kit like this available for those inevitable situations, immediately eliminates some of these shortcuts and ensures that the proper safety tools are available to use when a machine or electrical circuit is either faulty or being maintained.

Why not make sure that your technicians have these lock out kits on hand for call outs or installations? Or add a lock out kit to your workshop or factory floor in case of a breakdown?

Did you know that Kaygrant also offers training on how to use these lock out devices? This will ensure that everyone is well equipped to carry out the best safety procedures in the event of an emergency breakdown.