Unit Standard 259601 : Participate in the implementation and

evaluation of a safety and health management programme in the

workplace
NQF LEVEL :2
2 Credits
LEARNER GUIDE
Spei!i "#t$%es
&$# 'i(( '$r) t$'ards a*ie+in, t*e !$(($'in, Spei!i "#t$%es in t*is
%$d#(e:
1. Explain the requirements for the implementation of a safety and health
management programme in the workplace.
2. Implement the procedures for evaluating safety and health performance in
a workplace, as required y the safety and health management programme.
!. Evaluate performance of workplace safety activities required y the safety
and health management programme.
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in this manual. $he owner and programme designer assumes no responsiility for
losses of any kind resulting from the direct or indirect use of the information
contained herein. %or further information kindly contact&
Na+i,atin, t*e (earner %an#a(
1
$hroughout the learning programme icons are used to focus your attention on
important aspects of the learning programme. $he following icons are used&
'earning outcomes and assessment criteria
Important information
'earning activity
#ice to know
(esources
)ase example
-UR-"SE "F ./E UNI. S.ANDARD
2
'earners credited with this unit standard will e ale to explain the importance
of integrating safety and health considerations in routine activities within the
workplace and identify the critical areas in order to prevent incidents taking
place. 'earners will e ale to measure safety performance against estalished
o*ectives, deal with any deviations from the set o*ectives and make
recommendations on the development of the safety and health management
programme.
$he qualifying learner is capale of&
Explaining the requirements for the implementation of a safety and health
management programme in the workplace.
Implementing the procedures for evaluating safety and health performance in
a workplace, as required y the safety and health management programme.
Evaluating performance of workplace safety activities required y the safety
and health management programme.
LEARNING ASSU0ED ." 1E IN -LACE AND REC"GNI.I"N "F -RI"R
LEARNING
)ommunication at #+% 'evel 1 or equivalent.
,athematical 'iteracy at #+% 'evel 1 or equivalent.
Unit 1 Explain the requirements for the
implementation of a safety and
3
health management programme in
the workplace.
-y the end of this unit you should e ale to discuss&
$he .afety and /ealth Policy is explained in terms of its impact on the
implementation of the management programme. 0.11 ")12
$he importance and purpose of implementing safety and health
management programme components in the workplace is explained in terms
of the consequences to health and safety of individuals and the impact on
production. 0.11 ")22
$he importance of integrating safety and health considerations in all routine
activities is explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety of
individuals and the impact on production. 0.11 ")!2
1 $he .afety and /ealth Policy is explained in terms
of its impact on the implementation of the
management programme.
2S"1AC13
A Sa!et4 and *ea(t* p$(i4 sets out the institutional, financial and legislative
requirements for its implementation. It should have impact on the following&
i. "ppropriate and competent institutions. It advocates for the development
of an appropriate institutional structure for an integrated national 1/.
system including a policy3making and standard3setting national 1/.
authority, inspectorates 0including specialist inspectorates in ha4ardous and
technologically demanding sectors2 and dedicated research and training
institutions.
ii. ,otivates for the appropriate funding arrangements the provision of
adequate funding for 1/. activities through a comination of financing
through the fiscus, employer compensation contriutions and employer
0user2 fees.
iii. Appropriate legislation 3 the development of comprehensive national
prevention and compensation statutes and the development of strategies to
promote, monitor and enforce compliance with those statutes.
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"ctivity 1& 5hat is .afety and /ealth policy 60.117")12
(efer to your 5orkook for this activity.
2 $he importance and purpose of implementing
safety and health management programme
components in the workplace is explained in terms
of the consequences to health and safety of
individuals and the impact on production.
2S"1AC23
Implementing safety, health and environmental representation activities are of
great importance to oth employers and employees. Implementing such
programmes ensures that the plant is safe to persons working in it and also
machinery is safe to work with. %aulty and unsafe plant and machinery will result
in accidents that will reduce productivity. Employees will e maimed or killed and
this reduces man3hours and employee morale. $hese activities also reduces the
proaility of ha4ards to health and safety caused y careless workmates. $hese
activities will also identify careless ehavior at the workplace and ensures
corrective action is taken efore accidents occur. $his will result in smooth
operations and ensures that a plant is safe and fully operational thus high
productivity.
"ctivity 2& Purpose of .afety and /ealth policy 60.117")22
(efer to your 5orkook for this activity.
5 $he importance of integrating safety and health
considerations in all routine activities is explained
in terms of the consequences to health and safety
of individuals and the impact on production.
2S"1AC53
Integrating safety, health and safety considerations in all routine activities makes
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the workplace environment safe for employees such that there is no production
time3loss to in*uries, deaths . .uch considerations make positive consequences to
the health and safety of individuals and on productivity. Integrating safety and
health considerations in all workplace activities results in strict operational
deliverales and principles that protect employees against work
ha4ards. $his has a direct impact on productivity. It results in high productivity. In
.outh "frica in 2889, on average : employees died at their place of
work daily whilst 11; others were permanently disaled thus the "ct is of great
importance as it sets standards aimed at reducing these deaths and in*uries. If
safety, health and environment issues are not integrated, accidents can occur and
also employee morale will e low as employee will e concerned aout their safety
at the workplace. $his negatively affects production.
Unit 2 Implement the procedures for
evaluating safety and health
performance in a workplace, as
required y the safety and health
management programme.
-y the end of this unit you should e ale to discuss&
Incidents identified as detrimental to health and safety and reported, are
evaluated to determine safety and health performance. 0.12 ")12.
6
5orkplace critical areas are identified in terms of the consequences to health
and safety production. 0.12 ")22
,ethods and processes to identify workplace critical areas are explained in terms
of the consequences to health and safety production. 0.12 ")!2
$he importance of evaluating workplace safety and health performance is
explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety production. 0.12
")<2
1 Incidents identified as detrimental to health and
safety and reported, are evaluated to determine
safety and health performance.
2S"2 AC13
Incidents that have een identified as detrimental to health and safety and have
een reported must e evaluated y management, safety and health committee
and even outside consultants 7 government representatives to see how an
organisation=s safety and health performance is. $he next step is to determine the
cause0s2 of the accident. /as the incident occurred efore 6 5hat is the level of
loss 6 these are some questions the panel evaluating the safety and health
performance seek answers for. It may take a great deal more time to accurately
determine the weaknesses in the management system, or root causes, that
contriuted to the conditions and practices associated with the incident.
It>s important to know that most incidents detrimental to safety and health in the
workplace are the result of an unsafe ehaviors that produced them. Individual
unsafe ehaviors may occur at any level of the organi4ation.
.ome example of unsafe employee7manager ehaviors include&
%ailing to comply with
rules
?sing unsafe methods $aking shortcuts
/orseplay %ailing to report in*uries %ailing to report ha4ards
"llowing unsafe ehaviors %ailing to train %ailing to supervise
%ailing to correct .cheduling too much work Ignoring worker stress
.ome incidents are the result of underlying system weaknesses that have somehow
contriuted to the existence of ha4ardous conditions and unsafe ehaviors that
represent surfaces causes of accidents. (oot causes always pre3exist surface
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causes. Inadequately designed system components have the potential to feed and
nurture ha4ardous conditions and unsafe ehaviors. If root causes are left
unchecked, surface causes will flourish@
Inidents %a4 6e separated int$ t'$ ate,$ries:
i. S4ste% desi,n 'ea)nesses7 ,issing or inadequately designed policies,
programs, plans, processes and procedures will affect conditions and
practices generally throughout the workplace. Aefects in system design
represent ha4ardous system conditions.
ii. S4ste% i%p(e%entati$n 'ea)nesses7 %ailure to initiate, carry out, or
accomplish safety policies, programs, plans, processes, and procedures.
Aefects in implementation represent ineffective management ehavior.
.ystem Aesign 5eaknesses .ystem Implementation 5eaknesses .,issing or
inadequate safety policies7rules.
$raining program not in place
Poorly written plans
Inadequate process
#o procedures in place
.afety policies7rules are not eing enforced.
.afety training is not eing conducted
"dequate supervision is not conducted
Incident7"ccident analysis is inconsistent
'ockout7tag out procedures are not reviewed annually
" good safety and health policy for an organi4ation is supposed to address all the
aove mentioned principles. If it does, then incidents that are detrimental to
safety and health are eliminated and the workplace is safe.
2 5orkplace critical areas are identified in terms of
the consequences to health and safety production.
2S"2 AC23
"t the workplace there are BhotC areas. $hese are areas where there is higher
likelihood of incidents. $hese are areas where health and safety issues are likely to
arise. $he areas include &
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"reas where ha4ardous materials such as chemicals, flammales are
handled.
"reas where there is drilling and lasting operations.
"reas where motori4ed equipment and tools are in opeation.
"reas where workers work at height
"reas where there is electrical management
"reas where there is trenching and excavation
If health and safety issues around these areas is not handled well in terms of policy
and actions then there can e serious negative consequences to health and safety
and production slumps.
"ctivity !& 5orkplace critical areas in terms of .afety and
/ealth.0.127")22
(efer to your 5orkook for this activity.
5 ,ethods and processes to identify workplace
critical areas are explained in terms of the
consequences to health and safety production.
2S"2 AC53
5hen you work in a place every day it is easy to overlook some critical areas
where there are ha4ards, so here are some methods and tips to help you identify
workplace critical areas. ,ethods and processes include &
5alking around the workplace and looking at what could reasonaly e
expected to cause harm and affect health and safety and productivity
)onsult with fellow employees and their representatives on areas they also
think are critical in terms of health and safety . $hey may have noticed
things that are not immediately ovious to you.
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Disit the internet. $here are pulications giving practical guidance on where
ha4ards occur and how to control them. $here is much information here on
the ha4ards that might affect your usiness.
If you are a memer of a trade association, contact them. ,any produce
very helpful guidance on critical areas.
)heck manufacturers= instructions or data sheets for chemicals and
equipment as they can e very helpful in spelling out the ha4ards and
putting them in their true perspective.
/ave a look ack at your accident and ill3health records E these often help
to identify the less ovious ha4ards. 1verall, the goal is to find and record
possile critical areas that may e present in your workplace.
"s mentioned, it may help to work as a team and include oth people
familiar with the work area, as well as people who are not 3 this way you
have oth the FexperiencedF and FfreshF eye to conduct the inspection.
"ctivity <& Identifying workplace critical areas in terms of .afety
and /ealth.0.127")<2
(efer to your 5orkook for this activity.
8 $he importance of evaluating workplace safety
and health performance is explained in terms of
the consequences to health and safety production.
2S"2 AC83
Gour safety and health program is in place. Gou have set your goal for the year and
clearly stated the o*ectives, procedures, and activities necessary to meet that
goal. (esponsiilities have een defined and clearly assigned. "dequate authority
and resources have een allocated. People have een trained in their safety and
health program roles, and they understand the consequences of failing to perform
their assignments. Gour responsiility for employee safety and health does not stop
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here. $he next step 33 a critical one 33 is to evaluate how well your safety and
health program is working.
" safety and health evaluation looks at the systems you have created to carry out
your safety and health program. It asks if these systems are working effectively
and efficiently. "ll systems that contriute to your safety and health program
should e reviewed. $hese should include
,anagement leadership and the evaluation of that leadership,
$he analysis of the worksite to identify ha4ards,
/a4ard prevention and control,
"ccident and near miss investigations,
Employee involvement,
.afety and health training,
?se of personal protective equipment 0PPE2,
Emergency response program.
$his evaluation will ring out any loopholes with the health and safety system and
ring out areas where there is need for improvement so that the system is well
positioned and is protecting the safety and health of employees thus ensuring high
productivity.
Unit 5 Evaluate performance of workplace
safety activities required y the
safety and health management
programme.
-y the end of this unit you should e ale to discuss&
11
.afety performance is measured against estalished o*ectives to evaluate
progress towards a healthy and safe workplace. 0.1! ")12.
$ools and techniques, used to measure workplace safety and health
performance, are fit for purpose and applied according to specified
requirements. 0.1! ")22
Aeviations from the safety and health management programme are dealt
with in order to eliminate the deviations. 0.1! ")!2
(ecommendations on the development of the safety and health
management programme are communicated in accordance with the .afety
and /ealth Policy. 0.1! ")<2
1 .afety performance is measured against
estalished o*ectives to evaluate progress
towards a healthy and safe workplace.
2S"5 AC13
$ime and resources can e wasted when workplace safety and health program
activities do not achieve the desired results. $he ultimate result of the programs is
eliminating unhealthy and unsafe practices and progressing towards a healthy and
safe workplace. $he est way to measure safety performance is y evaluating
actual performance against set targets. Each year activities should e planned with
the intention of achieving specific o*ectives. $hese o*ectives, in turn, are
geared toward reaching the year>s safety and health program goal.
"s an example, a company>s goal is&
Aevelop a comprehensive safety and health program that effectively protects
employees y preventing or controlling existing and potential workplace ha4ards.
$o reach this goal, one objective this year is&
Aevelop a comprehensive preventive maintenance program.
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$he company expects that achieving this o*ective will require more than one
year. %or the current year the company plans to undertake two activities, each
with governing procedures&
$he end3of3year safety and health program evaluation will determine whether
these activities were conducted and whether they had the desired effect, i.e.,
successfully egan the process of developing a comprehensive preventive
maintenance program.
$he evaluation then will examine the value of this o*ective& did the achievement
of this phase of a preventive maintenance program move the company closer to its
targeted safety and health goal6 If this analysis finds program efforts that are
ineffective and do not contriute to the goal, the evaluation should include
recommendations for program changes for the next year.
" workplace can have a target such as & eliminate machine in*uries y :8H. "t
evaluation time they will measure actual monthly reduction percentage against the
targeted. $his will indicate success of the safety and health programs.
2 $ools and techniques, used to measure workplace
safety and health performance, are fit for purpose
and applied according to specified requirements.
2S"5 AC23
"fter having defined a safety and health program measurement it is important to
identify and check usaility of the tools and techniques to see if they are fit for
the purpose and applied to specified requirements the following tools in the form
of checklists and techniques are useful in measuring workplace safety and health
performance."n example of a self3evaluation checklist for small usinesses. $his
can e used to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the safety and health
program.
Instructions& %ill out the last five columns after *udging the effectiveness of each
part of your safety and health program. If the part of your program indicated in
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the first column is fully effective enter FGE.F in the second column. If not fully
effective enter F#1F.
Explain the deficiencies in the "Comments/Improvements" column and list any
specific planned improvements.
Indicate the persons responsible for these improvements in the next column.
Enter the target date for these improvements.
!inally "hen the improvements are actually completed enter the completion
date in the last column.
Indiat$rs &es9
N$
C$%%ent
s9I%pr$+e
%ents
Resp$nsi6(e
part4
.ar,et
Date
Date
$%p(ete
d
Policies and objectives are established
and communicated to all employees
Top management is visibly involved in
safety and health
Employees are involved in identifying
and solving safety and health problems
All safety and health responsibilities
are clearly assigned
Adequate authority and resources are
provided to those with responsibility
Managers, supervisors and employees
are held accountable
Program operations are reviewed at
least annually to evaluate success in
meeting goals and objectives and to
prepare new objectives

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$he tale elow provides a sample evaluation instruction sheet that can e used to
evaluate ha4ard prevention and control
Indiat$rs &es9N$ C$%%ents Resp$nsi6(e
-art4
.ar,et
Date
Date
C$%p(eted
All identified hazards are
prevented or controlled in the
best feasible manner
afe wor! procedures based on
job hazard analyses have been
established
upervision reinforces safe wor!
through positive feedbac! and
training
Enforcement of safe wor!
procedures and safety and health
rules is accomplished fairly and
efficiently through a disciplinary
system that all employees
understand
"ew or repeat hazards are
identified and corrected in a
timely manner
The facility and equipment are
regularly maintained to prevent
hazardous brea!downs
Arrangements have been made
for occupational health
specialists to provide medical
services, including assistance in
health problem identification
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$he tale elow provides a sample evaluation instruction sheet that can e used to
evaluate routine inspections when such inspections are part of your safety and
health program.
Indiat$rs &es9N$ C$%%ents9I%pr
$+e%ents
Resp$nsi6(e
part4
.ar,et
Date
Date
C$%p(eted
%irst aid and )P(3trained
employees are availale on every
shift
Preparations have een made for
all types of emergencies
Exits, evacuation routes and
emergency telephone numers are
prominently displayed
$he tale elow provides a sample evaluation instruction sheet that can e used
to evaluate safety and health interventions when such interventions are part of
your safety and health program.
Indiat$rs &es9N$ C$%%ents9I%pr
$+e%ents
Resp$nsi6(e
-art4
.ar,et
Date
Date
C$%p(eted
Employees can explain how and
why they do the *o safely and
healthfully
Employees use all required PPE
properly
Employees can explain why PPE is
used, how to use it and maintain it
and what the limits of its
protection are
.upervisors can explain safety rules
and procedures for ha4ard control,
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how they teach this to employees
and how they enforce it
,anagers can explain their safety
and health responsiilities

5 Aeviations from the safety and health management
programme are dealt with in order to eliminate
the deviations.
2S"5 AC53
"n audit is necessary to conduct so that the safety and health management
programme is adhered to. )ompliance is 188H and not negotiale. "ll operations
have to e monitored through weekly reports so that deviations are identified
early and corrective measures implemented early. .afety and health are critical
issues thus they cannot e let to cumulate over time. .ome organi4ations report
monthly, quarterly or yearly . this causes serious issues for it will take 12 months
efore it is identified that there has een no adherence to the safety and health
management programme. Early identification of deviation saves on losses.
Aeviating from the programme can result in in*uries,death,material loses.
8 (ecommendations on the development of the
safety and health management programme are
communicated in accordance with the .afety and
/ealth Policy.
2S"5 AC83
/ealth and safety policy is a definite plan of action designed to prevent accidents
and occupational diseases. .ome form of a policy is required under occupational
health and safety legislation in most countries. " health and safety policy must
include the elements required y the health and safety legislation as a minimum.
-ecause organi4ations differ, a program developed for one organi4ation cannot
necessarily e expected to meet the needs of another. $his document summari4es
17
the general elements of a health and safety program. $his should help smaller
organi4ations to develop programs to deal with their specific needs. -ecause many
small and medium3si4ed enterprises 0.,Es2 lack the resources of larger
organi4ations, it is even more vital that .,Es involve all employees in health and
safety activities. $he more comprehensive the program is, the more employee
involvement can e expected.
"n organi4ation>s occupational health and safety policy is a statement of principles
and general rules that serve as guides for action. .enior management must e
committed to ensuring that the policy is carried out with no exceptions. $he health
and safety policy should have the same importance as the other policies of the
organi4ation.
.*e p$(i4 state%ent an 6e 6rie!: 6#t it s*$#(d %enti$n:
management>s commitment to protect the safety and health of employees
the o*ectives of the program
the organi4ation>s asic health and safety philosophy
who is accountale for occupational health and safety programs
the general responsiilities of all employees
that health and safety shall not e sacrificed for expediency
that unacceptale performance of health and safety duties will not e
tolerated
.*e p$(i4 s*$#(d 6e:
stated in clear, unamiguous, and unequivocal terms
signed y the incument )hief Executive 1fficer
kept up3to3date
communicated to each employee
adhered to in all work activities
$he following is an example of an occupational health and safety policy statement&
A1C .ransp$rt
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$o all employees Ianuary 1, 1JJK
"t "-) $ransport the safety and health of our employees comes first. ,anagement
is committed to doing everything possile to prevent in*uries and to maintain a
healthy environment.
$o this end&
12 all supervisors are responsile for ensuring that their employees are trained
in approved work procedures to otain optimal output without accidents
and in*uries and to ensure that employees follow safe work methods and all
related regulationsL
22 all personnel are required to support the 1./ program and make safety and
health a part of their daily routine and to ensure that they are following
safe work methods and relevant regulationsL
!2 all personnel will e held accountale for implementing this programL and
<2 all relevant laws and regulations are incorporated in our program as
minimum standards
"-), President
;*at are t*e p$(i4 e(e%ents<
5hile organi4ations will have different needs and scope for specific elements
required in their health and safety program, the following asic items should e
considered in each case&
Individual responsiility
Ioint occupational health and safety committee
/ealth and safety rules
)orrect work procedures
Employee orientation
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$raining
5orkplace inspections
(eporting and investigating accidents
Emergency procedures
,edical and first aid
/ealth and safety promotion
5orkplace specific items
;*at are indi+id#a( "/=S resp$nsi6i(ities<
/ealth and safety is the *oint responsiility of management and workers.
,anagement is accountale for non3compliance to health and safety legislation. "ll
health and safety activities are ased on specific individual responsiilities, most
of which can e found in the pertinent legislation. /owever, often these duties are
not well known. $his situation can e improved y including details of specific
individual responsiilities in the safety program.
(esponsiility may e defined as an individual>s oligation to carry out assigned
duties. "uthority implies the right to make decisions and the power to direct
others. (esponsiility and authority can e delegated to suordinates, giving them
the right to act for superiors. It is important to note that, while some
responsiilities can e delegated, the superior remains accountale for seeing that
they are carried out.
Individual responsiilities apply to every employee in the workplace, including the
)hief Executive 1fficer. 5hen a safety coordinator has een appointed, it is est
to spell out his7her responsiilities as well. "ll employees will then know exactly
what is expected of each individual in health and safety terms.
$o fulfill their individual responsiilities, the people must&
know what these responsiilities are 0communication required2
have sufficient authority to carry them out 0organi4ational issue2
have the required aility and competence 0training or certification required2
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1nce all these criteria have een met, safety performance can e assessed y each
individual>s supervisor on an equal asis with other key *o elements. /ealth and
safety is not *ust an extra part of an employee>s *o& it is an integral, full3time
component of each individual>s responsiilities.
;*at are e>a%p(es $! resp$nsi6i(ities $! '$r)ers<
Examples of responsiilities of workers include&
using personal protection and safety equipment as required y the employer
following safe work procedures
knowing and complying with all regulations
reporting any in*ury or illness immediately
reporting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions
participating in *oint health and safety committees
;*at are e>a%p(es $! resp$nsi6i(ities $! !irst?(ine s#per+is$rs<
Examples of responsiilities of first3line supervisors include&
instructing workers to follow safe work practices
enforcing health and safety regulations
correcting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions
ensuring that only authori4ed, adequately trained workers operate
equipment
reporting and investigating all accidents7incidents
inspecting own area and taking remedial action to minimi4e or eliminate
ha4ards
ensuring equipment is properly maintained
promoting safety awareness in workers
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;*at are e>a%p(es $! resp$nsi6i(ities $! %ana,e%ent<
Examples of responsiilities of management include&
providing a safe and healthful workplace
estalishing and maintaining a health and safety program
ensuring workers are trained or certified, as required
reporting accidents and cases of occupational disease to the appropriate
authority
providing medical and first aid facilities
ensuring personal protective equipment is availale
providing workers with health and safety information
supporting supervisors in their health and safety activities
evaluating health and safety performance of supervisors
;*at are e>a%p(es $! resp$nsi6i(ities $! sa!et4 $$rdinat$rs<
Examples of responsiilities of safety coordinators include&
advising all employees on health and safety matters
coordinating interdepartmental health and safety activities
collecting and analy4ing health and safety statistics
providing health and safety training
conducting research on special prolems
attending health and safety committee meetings as a resource person
"ctivity ;& .afety and /ealth policy.0.127")<2
(efer to your 5orkook for this activity.
22