Análisis de la gestión de la seguridad y salud en las obras de construcción en Sudáfrica. Nueva regulación en materia preventiva, nuevos desafíos, nuevas oportunidades

Abstract

South Africa is currently facing new challenges in the construction sector. On the one hand, the need for a new model of energy sector to assist the sustainable growth of the country and its modernization, and secondly the urgent need to improve the high number of accidents rates that the construction sector still keeps to date. On last February, 2014, the Ministry of Labor released a new construction regulations – construction regulations 2014 – modifying to Construction Regulations 2003, regulating the new duties and obligations on health and safety belong to all agents involved with special emphasis on the role of “Client” as the backbone of promoting the health and safety matters on construction sites. The emergence of new mandatory professionals appointments on health and safety both for client and principal contractor – contractor, endow to current safety organizational chart on site with a better structure and clarity to undertake the implementation of the basic principles of preventive safety management through monitoring by these professionals based in all new safety documents established likewise ("risk assessment", "health and safety specification", "fall protection plan "and" health and safety file "). The register of these new safety roles through SACPCMP - “South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions”, will come into in force on 6th august, 2015. This register will provide better professionalism of technicians who perform those duties, essential point to keep improving the accidents – incidents rates on construction sector in South Africa.