Says Deon Bester, occupational health and safety (OHS) manager at the Master Builders’ Association Western Cape (MBAWC): “Since the onset of Covid-19, OHS regulations have evolved to include new measures to mitigate against the effects of the pandemic. These precautions are necessary for the building and construction industry to operate effectively in this, 'the new normal'.”
“Our health and safety teams audit and advise each of the participating companies by way of a pre-competition audit, allowing us to closely assist them, pointing out the areas where their OHS systems may be insufficient. This also establishes an industry benchmark and gives MBSA a better indication of where companies are succeeding and where there may be difficulties,” says Bester.
All competition entrants will be grouped into categories based on the rand value of their respective projects to ensure an equal opportunity for all parties, irrespective of the financial value of their company or project, Bester explains. “As a prize, the winners of each category receive a trophy acknowledging their achievement that they may keep and display until the next competition.”
This year, MBSA is including new categories such as First-time Entrants and Most Improved Sites to further bolster participation, he explains. “A team of independent auditors will judge each site and the winners will be determined based on the score achieved during the audit. All the regional winners, except for the sub-contractor category, will be entered into the National Health and Safety Competition that is scheduled to take place from July until August this year.”
The competition will run from April until June 2021 and is free to enter and open to all MBA members and to the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) as well. The entry form can be accessed and downloaded here. Forms are to be submitted by 26 March 2021. All competition entrants will be subjected to a comprehensive OHS audit by our health and safety teams and be graded based on the MBSA audit form which can be downloaded here.
