Abstract

JURGENS, Coenraad; SMIT, M.H.  and  VAN DER WALT, J.L. The reporting of injuries in Mechanical Technology school workshops with a view to creating a safe space for the learners . Koers (Online) [online]. 2023, vol.88, n.1, pp.1-13. ISSN 2304-8557.  http://dx.doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.88.1.2549.

Section 24 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (85 of 1993) stipulates that all injuries in workshops must be reported. Technology teachers also have a legal duty under common law to report such injuries. Meticulous record keeping of accidents is one of the strategies that can be employed to prevent accidents, thereby creating a safe working environment. This article reports on the findings of an investigation using mixed research methods at 220 technical schools in South Africa that offer Mechanical Technology as a subject. The aim of the study was to quantitatively and qualitatively determine the current state of safety management in workshops in terms of the (lack of) reporting of injuries and of record keeping. The investigation showed that there is still a considerable degree of ignorance among the participating teachers about (adherence to) the prescribed reporting procedures of injuries and their record keeping. In light of this finding, it is recommended that Mechanical Technology teachers should become more aware of their legal obligations and responsibilities regarding the safety of the learners in the workshops. Such in-depth knowledge could also enable them to transform their workshops into safe spaces for their learners.

Keywords : Geborgenheid (safety, security); de minimis non curat lex; incident; accident; safety policy; duty of care; workshops.

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