3. The Importance of Integrating Health and Safety Considerations

The importance of integrating safety and health considerations in all routine activities is explained in terms of the consequences to the health and safety of individuals and the impact on production.

Integrating safety, health and safety considerations in all routine activities make the workplace environment safe for employees such that there is no production time lost to injuries and deaths. Such considerations make positive consequences on the health and safety of individuals and on productivity. Integrating safety and health considerations in all workplace activities results in strict operational deliverables and principles that protect employees against workplace hazards. This has a direct impact on productivity. It results in high productivity.

In South Africa in 2006, on average 7 employees died at their place of work daily whilst 115 others were permanently disabled thus the Act is of great importance as it sets standards aimed at reducing these deaths and injuries. If safety, health and environmental issues are not integrated, accidents can occur and also employee morale will be low as employees will be concerned about their safety at the workplace. This negatively affects production.