Critical evaluation of occupational health and safety management in Sasol retail convenience centres

Abstract

Occupational health and safety management has continued to take the centre stage in the decision making process in most organisations. This is further fostered by agitation from labour unions and government intervention through legislation to promote safer work environment. This dissertation therefore presents some of the constraints and inadequacies of occupational health and safety management of Sasol Retail Convenience centres (Sasol RCCs), some of which are: - insufficient health and safety training of staff or lack of training; - low motivation of employee or outright absence of it; - lack of safety records; - non display of health and safety policy; - absence of fire prevention and control procedure; - inconsistent safety meeting. Information was sourced using questionnaires and conducting personal interviews. The information gathered via questionnaires and interviews of the four Sasol Retail Convenience Centres in Sasolburg indicates that Occupational health and safety management does not have full management commitment. Although management has provided safety gadgets and equipment for the purpose of health and safety, however, it has made little investment in human capital development toward the improvement of health and safety. Poor safety record and in some cases lack of safety records has made it difficult to determine the performance of the Sasol RCCs. The expositions made on the constraints and inadequacies of occupational health and safety management of Sa sol Retail Convenience Centers coupled with the conclusions and recommendations should further improve the health and safety of employees and better protect investment. Part of the recommendations is the development of health and safety management model that could serve as guide to the management of Sasol RCCs to develop a more functional health and safety system. The model should also serve as guide for further research in Occupational health and safety.