Page 166 - Department of Social Development Annual Report 2021

The Acting Director General (ADG) has reconstituted a
The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No.85
new Health and Safety Committee comprised of senior
of 1993), requires the employer to bring about and
managers, middle managers and junior staff. This was to
maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a work
ensure the appointment of members who will serve the
environment that is safe and without risk to the health of
interest of all employees as far as health and safety
the workers. The Act require both the employers and the
matters are concerned. The functioning of this Committee
workers to take responsibility for health and safety. This
was a key requirement in terms of COVID-19 protocols
is addressed through the principle that dangers in the
across all government departments. Various branches
workplace must be addressed by communication and
to
were
invited
nominate
cooperation between the workers and the employer. Both
Representatives for the Health and Safety Committee.
parties must pro-actively identify dangers and develop
The Health and Safety Representatives were formally
control measures to make the workplace safe. In this way,
appointed in January 2021. The Committee meets to
the employer and the workers are involved in a system
initiate, promote, maintain and review measures of
where health and safety representatives may inspect the
ensuring the Occupational Health and Safety in the
workplace regularly and then report to a health and
Department.
committee,
safety
recommendations to the employer. The Department has a
revised Occupational Health and Safety Policy which was
approved by MANCO in January 2021.
PART C: GOVERNANCE Introduction who in turn may submit Health and Safety Committee Health and Safety
Training of Health and Safety Representatives Effect it has on the Department
The Health and Safety Representatives serving on the Sanitisation of the workplace: The offices will continue to
Occupational Health and Safety Committee must have a be sanitised monthly or as and when required. All
thorough knowledge and understanding of the legislative common areas, boardrooms, lifts and areas with high
requirements (Occupational Health and Safety Act). They traffic volume will be sanitised on a more regular basis.
must also be aware of their duties and responsibilities as All protocols on the management of Covid-19 in the
well as to be familiar with all administrative workplace remain in force.
requirements involved for safety at the workplace. The 21
newly appointed Health and Safety Representatives of General Hygiene: The cleaning services will continue to
the Health and Safety Committee were trained on their ensure that the workplace is kept clean at all times. All
responsibilities following their appointment in January officials in the Department must always promote and
2021. maintain good hygiene practices.
Procurement of Personal Protective Equipment Provision of personal protective equipment: The
Department will continue to apply the “no mask – no
The following Personal Protective Equipment was entry” policy in line with all protocols and directives
procured as part of internal interventions in response to issued to mitigate Covid-19 infections. No staff member
Covid-19 pandemic: or visitor may refuse to wear personal protective
• Procurement of Covid-19 freestanding perspex equipment as such has been declared compulsory by the
desk screens for protection of officials that Department of Health.
need social distancing. These are used by staff Social Distancing: The maintenance of the 1.5-meter
who have direct contact with other officials social distancing will continue to be observed on all
and the public. The Covid-19 desk screens floors, reception, lifts and offices.
prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and
protect officials from direct contact with Officials are regularly reminder of all the Departmental
others. protocols that were developed in the past as well as
• The procurement of a total of 300 one-litre Circulars 11, 15 and 18 of 2020 that were issued by the
hand plastic sanitiser spray bottles for each Department of Public Service and Administration.
office in the Department (Human Sciences
Research Council (HSRC), Harlequins Office
Park and the Gender-Based Violence Command
Centre (GBVCC) buildings).
• The procurement of light commercial disinfec-
tant fogger machine and disinfectant for the
decontamination the 45 GG vehicles on a
regular basis. At a minimum, it was required to
clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces
in the vehicle at the beginning and end of each
utilisation of the vehicle and between trans-
porting passengers. It was also required to
ensure high-touch surfaces such as the steer- • The Department, SASSA and the NDA, briefed the Committee on their Annual
ing wheel, seat belts, driving controls, gear Performance Plans (APPs).
lever, windows, keys, seats and door handles • The Community Development budget had decreased from R97.795 million in the
are cleaned and disinfected. 2015/16 financial year, to R30.031 million in the 2020/21 financial year.
• The procurement of 30 000 disposable masks • It was highlighted that the social work scholarship had been reduced to allow the
for all staff and visitors in the HSRC, Harlequins Department to absorb social work graduates. A total of 4 597 social workers were
and GBVCC offices. employed throughout the Department and moving forward, there was a need for about
• The procurement of the decontamination and 71 000 social workers.
sanitisation services for the HSRC, Harlequins • The Committee commended the Department for its improvement in the Department’s
and GBVC buildings on monthly basis as a vision and mission statement.
Covid-19 prevention measures. The offices will • The committee asserted that gender-based violence (GBV) and child abuse had been
continue to be sanitised monthly or as and under-emphasised in the Annual Performance Plan (APP).
when required. • Substance abuse campaigns needed to go beyond pamphlet campaigns, and the DSD
• The procurement of 11 000 (initial 5 000 and should rather be working hand-in-hand with communities.
additional 6 000 litres) of 70% alcohol-based
hand sanitiser.
• The procurement of automated hand sanitiser
dispensers.
• The procurement and distribution of First Aid
Kits.

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21 166

• The Committees would continuously be updated with the progress tech process,
which was largely around organisational restructuring and change management while
prioritising entity oversight.
• The Department would be strong on issues relating to controls, such as risk controls
monitoring and evaluation, and creating a framework that manages implementation
and consequence management.
• The Department must consider hiring marshals to help the elderly and disabled, as
well as to ensure people adhered to social distancing.
• DSD to prioritise increasing people’s capacity to be self-supporting, access to
developmental programmes and all structures should be informed on the systems.
• The Committee requested the Department to provide feedback in writing regarding
the alleged SASSA officials in KZN that had kept SASSA cards for their own use.