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What employers must know: Updated COVID-19 Regulations on vulnerable employees
- 15 March 2021
- South African Accounting Academy
Regulation 70(8) sets out the measures that all employers must adopt to promote physical distancing of employees.
The regulations require employers to take special measures to mitigate the risk of vulnerable employees being infected at work, or if this is not possible, to equip vulnerable employees to work from home.
At least until vaccines are rolled out to vulnerable workers, employers should continue to take extra precautions where reasonably practicable to protect vulnerable workers, the firm said.
This may involve taking steps to limit the employee’s exposure to COVID-19, for example:
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Temporarily placing the employee in a role which has a lowered risk of transmission, e.g., if the employee’s job involves frequent interaction with the public, re-assigning them to a role with less interaction;
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Not requiring the employee to perform high-risk aspects of the job e.g., travel for business purposes;
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Providing the employee with a dedicated office;
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Providing alternative transport for the employee, e.g., if the employee typically uses public transport, arranging alternative private transport;
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Permitting the employee to work from home.
This list is not exhaustive, and employers should carefully consider the individual needs and circumstances of its business and vulnerable employees.
Employers should bear in mind that a failure to comply with these obligations may attract a penalty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and constitutes Non-Compliance with a Law and/or Regulation (NOCLAR). Taking appropriate measures in respect of vulnerable employees will ensure that the employer is complying with its obligations under the COVID-19 regulations.
Click here to download the updated Regulations:
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202103/44201rg11246gon152.pdf
Get all your CPD online. SA Accounting Academy (SAAA) offers Subscription Plans, Live Webinars, Webinars On-Demand, Access to Experts, Courses, Articles and more: https://cpd.accountingacademy.co.za.