Assessing the efficiency of the occupational health and safety management system at a South African university

Abstract

The impacts associated with industrial activities are increasing globally, attracting attention from safety practitioners, environmentalists, and researchers. This rise in industrial activities has led to an increase in accidents, driven by the expansion of industries and the use of advanced technologies to speed up production. Both production and service industries recognize the importance of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices for ensuring the quality of products and services. Unlike many other industries where the production process and service delivery are often separated, the production and consumption of university services are closely linked. Therefore, the quality of education is significantly influenced by OHS measures. A safety incident at a university could have far-reaching negative effects on the nation's present and future. Although safety practices have been well-examined in various industries, managing and handling accidents within the education sector, particularly on university campuses, demands considerable attention. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing the efficiency of OHSMS at a South African university of technology. The research objectives included determining the availability of an OHSMS, identifying stakeholder roles and responsibilities, evaluating the effectiveness of OHSMS implementation, and assessing staff and student attitudes towards health and safety practices. A qualitative research design was employed, incorporating in-depth interviews, qualitative observations, and document analysis to gather comprehensive data. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes and patterns. The study revealed that while there is strong awareness of the OHS Act 85 of 1993 among university staff, significant gaps exist in communication, enforcement, and compliance with roles and responsibilities. Challenges include infrastructure maintenance, resource shortages, procedural delays, and insufficient training. Hazard identification relies heavily on inspections, but regular reviews are inconsistent. Although resource allocation is considered adequate by a majority, some report delays and shortages. Training participation varies, with declines in some areas and improvements in others. Emergency evacuation drills show general compliance but highlight the need for better training. Document reviews indicate that policies are not always visibly displayed or regularly reviewed. While universities primarily focus on delivering education, health and safety risks could undermine their core mission and objectives. Despite awareness of OHS standards, the implementation and effectiveness of OHSMS require significant improvement to address communication, compliance, and resource challenges. The study recommends enhancing policy communication, reinforcing roles and responsibilities, improving infrastructure and resource management, conducting regular hazard assessments, increasing training participation, expanding OHS committees, enhancing emergency procedures, implementing regular management reviews, and improving documentation practices. These steps aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the university's OHSMS, ensuring a safer environment for all stakeholders.