MODULE 2

HEALTH AND SAFETY

COVERAGE
SA 8000 Requirements
Definitions & Interpretation
Intent of SA 8000
Typical hazards & risks in
Manufacturing
Hierarchy of risk minimization
Key issues to review
Evidence of compliance
Background information

SA8000 Requirements
The Organisation shall
Provide a safe and healthy working

environment
Take adequate steps to prevent
accidents and injury to health

arising out of, associated with or

occurring in the course of work
Minimizing the causes of hazards

inherent in the working environment.

SA8000 3.1

SA8000 Requirements
The Organisation shall

Assess all the workplace risks to

new, expectant and nursing mothers
including those arising out of their
work activity,
Ensure that all reasonable steps are
taken to remove or reduce any risks
to their health and safety.

SA8000 3.2

SA8000 Requirements
The Organisation shall

Provide personnel with appropriate

personal protective equipment as
needed at its own cost
Provide first aid and assist the
worker in obtaining follow-up
medical treatment.

SA8000 3.3

SA8000 Requirements

Organisation shall appoint a

senior management representative

responsible for the health and safety

of all personnel
Accountable for the implementation
of the health and safety elements of
this standard.

SA8000 3.4

SA 8000 Requirements

Establish and maintain a Health and

Safety Committee, comprised of a wellbalanced

group
of
management
representatives and workers

It shall Effectively communicate its

decisions to all personnel. The
Committee shall be trained and
retrained periodically to continually
improving the health and safety
conditions in the workplace.

SA8000 3.5

SA 8000 Requirements
It shall conduct formal, periodic
occupational health and safety
risk assessments to identify and
then address current and potential
health and safety hazards.
Records of these assessments and
corrective and preventive actions
taken shall be kept

SA8000 3.5

SA 8000 Requirements

The organisation shall provide to

personnel, on a regular basis,

effective health and safety training

including on-site training and, where

needed, job-specific training.

SA8000 3.6

SA 8000 Requirements

shall
establish
documented
procedures
to
detect,
prevent, minimize, eliminate or otherwise
respond to potential risks to the health and
safety of personnel.
The organisation shall maintain written
records of all health and safety incidents
that occur in the workplace and in all
residences and property provided by the
organisation, whether it owns, leases or
contracts the residences or property from a
service provider.
The

SA8000 3.7

organisation

SA 8000 Requirements

The organisation shall provide, for

use by all personnel, free access to:

SA8000 3.8

clean toilet facilities,

potable water,
suitable spaces for meal breaks, and,
where applicable, sanitary facilities for
food storage.

SA 8000 Requirements

The organisation shall ensure that

any dormitory facilities provided for

personnel are clean, safe and meet
their basic needs, whether it owns,
leases or contracts the dormitories
from a service provider.
All personnel shall have the right to
remove themselves from imminent
serious danger without seeking
permission from the organisation.
SA8000 3.9 &
3.10

Definition & Interpretation

Safe and healthy working environment as

defined by national laws and/or industrial
standards.

Hazard is defined by the ILO as a situation

that has inherent potential to cause injury
or damage to peoples health for instance,

specific hazards associated with the use of

chemicals or machinery.
The
health and safety management

representative should have authority and

adequate resources to implement company

policies and corrective action plans if
needed.

Definition & Interpretation

representative,
accountability for the health and safety of
employees
resides
with
all
levels
of
management, from direct supervisors to senior
management.
The term regular is defined as at least once per

The

In

addition

to

management

year.

systems refers to the general

Management Systems, which are addressed in the
term

chapter on Management Systems.

Intent of SA8000

The health and safety of all employees is the

responsibility of the employer.
SA 8000 seeks to ensure that workers have a
safe and healthy workplace, Where adequate

preventive measures are taken to minimize, and

where possible eliminate health and safety risks both
in the short and long term.

Management is responsible for workplace

conditions, and therefore for ensuring that

workers are able to perform their functions

throughout their adult lifetime without actual or
latent health damage.

Typical Hazards and Risks

Latent Health Hazards

Exposure to Chemicals
Exposure to Asbestos and Dust
Handling of Electricity
Safety of Machines
Safety of Steam Boilers
Fire Safety and Emergency Cases
Workplace Hygiene and Sanitation
Exposure to Heat and Cold
Noise

Hierarchy of Risk Minimization

Replace
products
with
less
toxic
alternatives
2. Use safe-working practices in storage,
handling, with minimized skin exposure
and appropriate ventilation
3. Use of personal protective Equipment to
protect skin, eyes and respiratory tracts.
4. Prepare spill control, first aid and
emergency procedures and
5. Be available at short notice in case of
accidents
and
incidents
involving
hazardous substances.
1.

Key Issues to Review

Occupational

Safety and Health

Management System
Employee Participation and
Management Commitment
Training
Accident Prevention and Risk Control
Rehabilitation and Compensation
Documentation

Evidence of Compliance
Overall Occupational Safety &
Health Management
Workers Awareness and
Involvement
Specific Risks, Hazards and
Precautions

Background Information

International Norms and National Legislation,

provincial and municipal rules and legislation
International
Standards
such
as
ILO
conventions,
ILO codes of practice, manuals and guides such
as the ILO Encyclopedia on Health and Safety as
relevant to the site.
The Occupational Safety and Health Convention 155
(1981)
The Occupational Health Services Convention 161
(1985)
The Convention concerning Safety in the Use of
Chemicals at Work 170 (1990)
The Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents

Background Information
ILO standards deal with specific toxins and agents, such as
the

Asbestos Convention 162 (1986) and its accompanying

Recommendation 172;
White Lead (Painting) Convention 13 (1921);
Radiation Protection Convention 115 (1960) and
Recommendation 114; and
Benzene Convention 136 (1971) and Recommendation
144 (1971).

ILO standards deal with specific risks or groups of people

such as
Occupational Cancer Convention 139 (1974) and
Recommendation 147;
Guarding of Machinery Convention 119 (1963)
Maternity Protection Convention (Revised) 183 (2000)
and Recommendation 191;
Medical Examination of Young Persons (Industry)
Convention 77 (1946)

END
OF
MODULE 2