
Purpose of this Course
The purpose of this course is to provide you with an overview of the requirements imposed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993 (hereafter referred to as the Act), as well as the practical application. The understanding, requirements and implementation of the General Machinery Regulations. The course will provide you with in-depth knowledge on GMR and how to understand, apply, and implement them in real-world scenarios. You will learn about the key safety requirements, risk assessment processes, compliance strategies, and the practical application of these regulations in machinery design, operation and maintenance.
Target Population
All learners whose work-related activities involve the management and control of:
• Machinery
• Safety/Health.
• Risk.
• Audits.
• Incident costs.
• Machinery maintenance.
• Legislation.
• Quality Control.
• Investigation of incidents/accidents.
Pre-requisites
- Grade 12 or 5 years previous experience.
Learning outcomes and objectives
On completion of this course, the delegate will be able to:
1. Have an overview of the OHSAct and GMR by:
1.1 Discussing the background to the Act.
1.2 Explaining the related sections within the Act and requirements of GMR.
1.3 Comprehending the roles and responsibilities of a GMR 2(1) appointee.
1.4 Discussing and recognising the implications of non-compliance.
1.5 Discussing penalties and liabilities.
1.6 Explaining the objectives of the Regulations.
1.7 Comprehending the Sections and Regulations.
1.8 Have the ability to implement key systems and controls for machinery safety.
1.9 Gain practical knowledge to manage audits.
1.10 Discussing how to do effective inspections.
1.11 Know the history and evolution of machinery safety regulations.
2. Interpret legal responsibilities and duties by:
2.1 Comprehending the roles of the GMR 2(1) appointee.
2.2 Legal implications of being a responsible person.
2.3 Understanding “competent person” as defined in the regulations.
3. Appointment process:
3.1 Discussing the requirements of the needed criteria for GMR 2(1) appointments.
3.2 Discussing the formal appointment process and documentation.
3.15 Explaining the needed interaction with senior management and stakeholders.
4. Machinery Safety Requirements:
4.1 Discussing Risk assessments and control measures for machinery safety.
4.2 Discussing maintenance, inspections and testing of machinery.
4.3 Safe operating procedures and emergency preparedness.
5. Compliance Management:
5.1 Explaining the setting up of systems to ensure compliance with GMR.
5.2 Discussing managing both internal and external audits.
5.3 Reporting, record-keeping and incident investigation.
6. Penalties and no-compliance:
6.1 Review of real-life case studies and legal consequences.
6.2 Explaining the strategies to avoid penalties and maintain workplace safety.
Course content
• Introduction to work permit systems.
• Grounds for issuing work permits.
• Roles and responsibilities of permit issuer and recipient.
• permit preparation process.
• process governing permits during the work operation.
• post work process governing permits.
Assessment Criteria
On completion of this course, you may be assessed against the following criteria:
1. Overview of the Act and General Machinery Regulations by explaining:
• The reasons for existence of the Act.
• Statutory and Common Law differences.
• Themes underlying the Act.
• The applicability and administration of the Act.
• Definition and purpose of GMR.
• Overview of the General Machinery Regulations.
• Role of the GMR in ensuring machinery safety.
• Legal and compliance frameworks.
2. Interpret the legal responsibilities and duties by:
• Explaining the legal implications.
• Explaining the definition of a competent person.
• Explaining the responsibility and roles of a GMR 2(1) appointee within an organisation.
3. Explaining the appointment process:
• The criteria for GMR 2(1) appointments.
• The required documentation.
• The formal appointment process.
• The interaction duties with senior management and stakeholders.
4. Interpret the requirements for machinery safety by:
• Explaining the following:
o Risk assessments.
o Control measures.
o Maintenance.
o Inspections.
o Testing.
o Safe Operating Procedures.
o Emergency preparedness.
5. Interpret compliance management by:
• Explaining the process of setting up systems ensuring compliance with the General Machinery Regulations.
• Discussing the management of both internal and external audits.
• Reporting and record keeping.
• Explaining the incident investigation process.
6. Interpreting penalties and non-compliance by:
• Explaining the legal consequences.
• The reviewal of real-life case studies.
• Explaining the strategies to avoid penalties and maintain workplace safety.

Duration: About 2 days

Skill Level Required: NQF 4 / Grade 12 or 5 years previous experience

Lessons: 38
Short Quizzes: 14
Final Assessment: 2 hour