Page 14 - Business Sense-11.3 Rajesh Lutchman eBook

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY COMPLIANCE

t takes years to build a brand, CEOs are often busy with their retaining both employees and
but without proper training day-to-day business activities and customers.
Iof staff, it can take a second leadership of their organisations Societal Impact: Protecting
to destroy it all! Heartbeat or companies. They need to be
Training Academy, established aware that health and safety workers’ rights and ensuring
their safety contributes to social
in 2013, offers Health and Safety forms a pivotal role to enhance stability and reduces inequality.
Compliance accredited training the business benefits. It is also
and consulting to companies important to understand that In essence, workplace health
and organisations. employees need to know what to and safety in South Africa is not
do in case of an emergency. just a legal requirement, but an
Workplace health and safety is important aspect of responsible
very important in South Africa
for legal reasons, impacting What are the Business Benefits of business practice, contributing to
OHS training?
both individual well-being and
worker well-being, preventing broader societal benefits.
workplace injuries, enhancing Increased Productivity: A safe
business productivity, and how and healthy workplace fosters a Contact us today for:
this impacts the environment and positive environment, leading ■ First Aid
the economy. The Occupational to increased productivity and ■ Fire Training
Health and Safety Act (OHSA) reduced absenteeism of skilled
1993 mandates a safe working or operational staff. ■ Consulting
environment, and failure to Reduced Costs: Fewer ■ Medicals
comply can lead to significant accidents and injuries mean ■ Workshops, we have over 100
penalties for all companies and lower workers’ compensation trainings offered to companies
all sectors. claims, reduced downtime, and organisations in groups.

The OHSA aims to prevent retraining new staff in the work ■ Onsite training
injuries, illnesses, and fatalities area and fewer legal liabilities.
in the workplace, ensuring a safe Better Work Performance: T: +27 (0)84 723 2771 / +27 (0)67 132 2940
and healthy environment for When employees feel safe and WhatsApp: +27 (0)74 461 3719 /
all employees. Businesses have valued, their morale and job +27 (0)84 011 6596
an obligation to prioritise the satisfaction increase. E: heartbeattraining@live.com
well-being of their employees, W: www.heartbeattraining.net
creating a culture of safety and Attraction and Retention:
respect. The OHSA is a legal Businesses with a strong
requirement, and non-compliance commitment to health and
can result in fines, legal action, safety are seen as responsible
and reputational risk damage. and trustworthy, attracting and

THE SARDINE RUN IN KWAZULU-NATAL:

NATURE’S SPECTACLE, TOURISM’S GOLDMINE

ach winter, the KwaZulu- an astonishing array of marine Though the bulk of South In recent years, the Sardine experts offering insights into
Natal coastline comes alive predators – including dolphins, Africa’s sardine population Run has gained international the behaviour of sardines and
Ewith one of the world’s sharks, game fish, and seabirds resides in the cooler Cape recognition, positioning their predators.
most extraordinary marine – creating a feeding frenzy that waters, each winter a portion KwaZulu-Natal as a premier
spectacles – the Sardine Run. unfolds just offshore. migrates east along the Wild destination for eco-tourism. Snorkelling and Diving: For
Often dubbed “The Greatest Coast. These fish follow a The region’s mild winters and thrill-seekers, diving among
Wayne Harrison, head of
Shoal on Earth”, this natural operations at the KZN Sharks narrow band of cool water pristine beaches only enhance the sardines offers a once-in-a-
phenomenon is not only a Board, says while it’s difficult to that seasonally hugs the its appeal to domestic and lifetime chance to be immersed
marvel of biology but also an continental shelf, squeezed international visitors alike. in a living shoal, alongside
increasingly valuable drawcard predict with precision, this year’s between the coastline and the From an economic standpoint, dolphins, gannets, and
for tourism and economic run looks promising. warm, southward-flowing the benefits are substantial. sometimes even sharks.
growth along KZN’s east coast. “We are dealing with nature, Agulhas Current. Tourists tracking the sardines Scenic Trails and Lookouts:
and things can change at any For those who prefer to stay on
From May to July, vast shoals moment,” he explains. “We The Sardine Run is eagerly along the coast spend money
of sardines travel northwards anticipated by anglers, on local accommodation, land, the coastline boasts scenic
along the eastern shoreline of could see sardines in two weeks, net fishers, and coastal restaurants, guided tours, hiking trails and elevated viewing
South Africa. These shimmering tomorrow – or not at all. But by communities. Game fishing and retail, injecting a surge of points, ideal for photography and
mid-June, we expect them to
schools, sometimes stretching arrive in KZN.” peaks during the run, and revenue into coastal towns. wildlife spotting.
for several kilometres, attract Aerial Tours: Helicopter and
commercial beach seining – “It’s not just about the fish,”
using nets deployed from shore notes Harrison. “It’s about microlight flights provide a
– is both a time-honoured and the thousands of people who breathtaking bird’s-eye view
economically vital activity. come to watch – filling hotels, of the swirling shoals and the
supporting small businesses, and dramatic oceanic ballet playing
The sardines are sold for fuelling economic growth on the out below.
human consumption, used South Coast.”
as bait, or shared among The Sardine Run is more than
community members – often A Feast of Experiences a seasonal curiosity – it’s a living
serving as an affordable source While swimming is link between communities,
ecosystems, and economies. For
of protein for low-income discouraged during the run due
households. to increased marine activity, the visitors, it offers unforgettable
moments and raw natural
Sardine Run offers an abundance
“The economic impact of the beauty. For locals, it’s a lifeline –
Sardine Run is phenomenal,” of alternative experiences: both nutritional and economic.
says Harrison. “It creates Ocean Safaris: Local operators And for KwaZulu-Natal, it’s an
around 3,000 seasonal jobs and run boat tours that bring annual opportunity to showcase
supports many who rely on the visitors face-to-face with the the region’s unique marine
SA Tourism sea for their livelihood.” action, accompanied by marine heritage to the world. 

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