The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, section 18(1) states that:

1(a) – Review the effectiveness of health and safety measures.
1(b) – Identify potential hazards and potential major incidents in the workplace.
1(c) – In collaboration with his employer, examine the causes of incidents at the workplace.
1(d) – Investigate complaints by any employee relating to that employee’s health or safety at
work.
1(e) – Make representations to the employer or a health and safety committee on matter arising from paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (d) or where such representations are unsuccessful, to an inspector.
1(f) – Make representations to the employer on general matter affecting the health or safety of the employees at workplace.
1(g) – Inspect the workplace, including any article, substance, plant, machinery, or health and safety equipment at that workplace with a view to the health and safety of employees at such intervals as may be agreed upon with the employer. Provided that the health and safety representative shall give reasonable notice of his intention to carry out such an inspection to the employer, who may be present during the inspection.
1(h) – Participate in consultations with inspectors at the workplace and accompany inspectors on inspections of the workplace.
1(i) – Receive information from inspectors as contemplated in section 36.
1(j) – In his capacity as a health and safety representative attend meetings of the health and safety committee of which he is a member, in connection with any of the above functions.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, section 18(2) states that:

(a) – Visit the site of an incident at all reasonable times and attent any inspection in loco.
(b) – Attend any investigation or formal inquiry held in terms of the Act.
(c) – In so far as it is reasonably necessary for performing his functions, inspect any document which the employer is required to keep in terms of this Act.
(d) – Accompany an inspector on any inspection.
(e) – With the approval of the employer (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) be accompanied by a technical adviser, on any inspection.
(f) – Participate in any internal health or safety audit.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, section 24(1) states that:

(a) – Any person. dies, becomes unconscious, suffers the loss of a limb or part of a limb or is otherwise injured or becomes ill to such a degree that he is likely either to die or to suffer a permanent physical defect or likely to be unable for a period of at least 14 days either to work or to continue with the activity for which hê was employed or is usually employed.
(b) – A major incident occurred.
(c) – The health or safety of any person was endangered and where:

• A dangerous substance was spilled.
• The uncontrolled release of any substance under pressure took place.
• Machinery or any part thereof fractured or failed resulting in flying, falling
or uncontrolled moving.
• Machinery ran out of control.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, section 14 states that:

Every employee shall at work –

• Take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons WHO may be affected by his acts or omissions.
• As regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person, by this Act, co-operate with such employer or person to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.
• Carry out any lawful order given to him, and obey the health and safety rules and procedures laid down by his employer or by anyone authorized thereto by his employer in the interest of health and safety.
• If any situation which is unsafe or unhealthy comes to his attention, as soon as practicable report such situation to his employer or to the health and safety representative for his workplace or section thereof, as the case may be, who shall report it to the employer.
• If he is involved in any incident which may affect his health or which he has caused an injury to himself, report such incident to his employer or to anyone authorized thereto by the employer, or to his health and safety representative as soon as practicable but not later than the end of the particular shift during which the incident occurred, unless the circumstances were such that the reporting of the incident was not possible, in which case he shall report the incident as soon as practicable thereafter.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, section 12(1) states that:

Every employer shall at work –

• Identify the hazards and evaluate the risks associated with such work constituting a hazard to the health of such employees, and the steps that need to be taken to comply with the provisions of this Act.
• As far as is reasonably practicable, prevent the exposure of such employees to the hazards concerned or, where prevention is not reasonably practicable, minimize such exposure.
• Having regard to the nature of the risks associated with such work and the level of exposure of such employees to the hazards, carry out an occupational hygiene program and biological monitoring and subject such employees to medical surveillance.