On the 27th of January 2023, the Department of Employment and Labour published a correction to the 24th of June 2022 Government Gazette referring to Hazardous Biological Agents promulgated in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Readers are reminded that the Covid-19 virus and all its variants are regarded as ‘Hazardous Biological Agents’ and that it is the duty of employers, employees, workers and self-employed individuals to adhere to all regulations stipulated in the Code of Practice: Managing Exposure to SARS-COV-2 in the Workplace.
For ease of reference, the EOHCB (Employer’s Organisation of Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty) has published the updated Code of Practice on its website – click here
The Code of Practice requires the following in the workplace:
- A Risk Assessment
- A Covid-19 Compliance Officer
- A Screening Questionnaire
- An Inspection List
- A Vulnerable Employee Disclosure Form
- A Vaccination Status Questionnaire
- A Vaccination Policy (Voluntary/Mandatory/Combination)
- A Vaccination Objection Form
- Worker Awareness Collateral
- Remote Work Protocols If Applicable
To read the full Government Correction Notice on the EOHCB website click on https://www.eohcb.co.za/ and go to ‘Resources’.