Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Annual Regional Safety Awards - 2011
48th annual Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Regional Health and Safety Awards!
The Construction Industry's Health and Safety Competition had it's origins in 1963, when the first Building Safety Competition was held in KwaZulu-Natal and the only facet that was adjudicated was Housekeeping. The following year it was held as a national competition and extended to two categories, both categories were won by members from our association.
Today, the competition is a comprehensive well supported annual event, open to all Association's members and FEM policy holders. There are 10 different categories. Regional competitions are held by each of the Associations and their winners are entered into the national competition. Master Builders South Africa MBSA then arrange for the national judging to take place.
The construction industry is one of the largest creators of employment in South Africa and with such a large work force and with its unique working conditions, construction companies have always faced challenges which general industry do not have. In these circumstances, adherence to Occupational Health and Safety measures on building and construction sites is of the essence and Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal is proud of the fact that its members have not given in to the temptation to take shortcuts. Thankfully experienced contractors, know that it is not worth the risk as accidents slow down work, increase costs and shred reputations.
We received 48 entries for this year's competition. Entries were received from our regions as well as the greater Durban area. It took some five weeks to complete the judging and I would like to thank my colleague Neil Enslin who was responsible for the judging of the 2011 regional competition. Further thanks goes to all the Associations' that contributed in helping our members to not only become legally compliant but to implement effective safety management programmes that lead to them receiving these awards tonight.
The Regional Safety award functions are held annually to pay tribute to those who excelled in Health and Safety and thus contributed towards the prevention of onsite fatalities and injuries. In addition to the place awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd) the following awards will also be made tonight: Presidential award for entries that achieving more the 95%, Keep Durban Beautiful Association award for the site with the best housekeeping, Formscaff's Scaffolding award for the site with the best scaffolding.
In 2011 the standards were again extremely high, keeping in mind that sites were audited on more than 20 different elements consisting of more than 1 500 sub elements. Each elements consists of at least 30 different legal aspects which the contractor has to comply with.
Even though the construction industry was is in a near all time low our members again came through with flying colours this year; 2 entries attained a mark of more than 95% which means that they will be receiving the presidential award for this remarkable achievement. The majority of the sites that entered scored in excess of 90 percent. The disabling injury frequency rate (DIFR) was also extremely favourable; with the majority of the sites operating at a DIFR of zero. There is no doubt that our members that excel in health and safety not only save lives but contribute to a culture of excellence and wellbeing for all in this industry.
See Results
Neels Nortje | Health & Safety Manager
|
