PAINFUL stories of injuries, incidents and deaths in workplaces live on as traumatic history.
We see people around us who no longer have fingers because of the meat cutter.
Some have lost sight because their eyes were not protected from the welding machine. Just imagine.
Today, you are 53 years old and you have never known your father.
A story is being told by your mother. She begins to narrate the chilling experience.
“We stayed in Cinderella, Whankie. Your father left me that morning for work. I clearly remember the smile when he said his goodbyes. The last thing he did on that fateful morning was to give you a kiss on the forehead, Bokani. You were less than a year old.
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“We were happily married. In reality, we were still in our honeymoon. But that was the last time I would see your father. That would be the last time you would be kissed by your father. He had gone to work to fend for us. He worked hard not only for us, but he also looked after his siblings. The day was June 6, 1972. Your father was among the people who were killed in the Whankie Colliery mine disaster. Over 420 people died.”
The Whankie Mine disaster holds a special place in my heart as a writer because Hwange is my hometown.
We grew up hearing those stories being told by my parents about the disaster.
It was how their relatives were affected by that disaster at the mine.
I remember, as young as I was at Mabinga Primary School in the coal-mining town, we would have a moment of silence to remember those who perished in that disaster, years after it happened.
How do we report workplace-related injuries?
As soon as an employee is injured at work, first aid must be administered by the employer as swiftly as possible while they make strides to the nearest medical centre.
The employer must then report the case to the nearest National Social Security Authority (NSSA) office.
It’s not just reporting; specific processes and procedures must be followed.
The first is completing the form Workers’ Compensation Injury Form (WCIF) No. 14.
The WCIF No. 14 must be kept in all workplaces.
If you do not have this form, you can readily download it from the NSSA website.
When the accident is fatal, it must be reported to the police within 24 hours.
What does the employer report?
The NSSA website points out that the following accidents may be reported:
lAll fatal accidents
lAll cases of injury when a fatal issue is anticipated
lAll cases where the injury is such that the injured person is likely to be absent from work for at least three days or, if having been incapacitated owing to the injury for three days, the accident has not been reported
lAny injury to a person not employed on the premises”
As mentioned in my article last week, every organisation should have an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) expert.
It becomes easier to administer and report accidents.
Additionally, all important documents on Occupational Health and Safety are downloadable from the NSSA website https://www.nssa.org.zw/document-library/.
Why we report
The emphasis on occupational health and safety must not be underestimated in Zimbabwe.
Every one faces daily danger at work, especially people in the construction to manufacturing sites.
You do site visits and realise that employees work under serious risk.
Additionally, they might not know of their rights, and they are hunting for the next dollar, they will keep working.
Glaring risks in company companies include, poor safety protocols, lack of protective gear, lack of training and supervision, faulty machinery/ infrastructure and even exposure to dangerous substances.
Developing a culture of safety at work
Having said the above, there is a need to develop a culture of occupational health and safety.
There is a need to protect and preserve lives.
This takes companies that are going to invest in safety training, investing in protective gear or equipment, conducting regular risk assessments, fostering open communication about OSH and regulatory compliance with NSSA regulations and legal frameworks.
- Jonah Nyoni is an author, speaker, and leadership trainer. Follow Jonah on Twitter @jonahnyoni. WhatsApp: +263 772 581 918