NEFTALY THERAPEUTIC PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME
HEALTH AND SAFETY MANUAL
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Health and Safety Manual is to ensure a safe, healthy, and secure environment for:
- Clients
- Children and Youth
- Staff Members
- Volunteers
- Visitors
- Service Providers
The manual establishes procedures to prevent injury, illness, psychological harm, and environmental risks during programme implementation.
2. POLICY STATEMENT
The Neftaly Therapeutic Psychosocial Support Programme is committed to:
✅ Protecting life and wellbeing
✅ Preventing workplace hazards
✅ Promoting psychological safety
✅ Maintaining hygienic service environments
✅ Complying with Occupational Health & Safety standards
3. LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
This manual aligns with:
- Occupational Health and Safety Act (South Africa)
- Child Justice Act
- Children’s Act
- Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
- Department of Social Development Guidelines
- Mental Health Care Principles
4. SCOPE
Applies to all:
- Offices
- Counselling Rooms
- Training Venues
- Outreach Locations
- Community Programme Sites
- Home Visits
5. HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
Programme Manager
- Overall safety accountability
- Ensure compliance implementation
- Approve safety procedures
Safety Officer
- Conduct inspections
- Maintain safety registers
- Coordinate emergency response
Staff Members
- Follow safety procedures
- Report hazards immediately
- Protect client safety
Clients & Visitors
- Follow facility safety rules
6. WORKPLACE HEALTH & HYGIENE
Facility Requirements
- Clean premises daily
- Adequate ventilation
- Proper lighting
- Safe drinking water
- Functional sanitation facilities
Hygiene Practices
- Regular handwashing
- Cleaning of counselling spaces
- Waste disposal management
- Infection prevention measures
7. PSYCHOSOCIAL SAFETY
The programme promotes:
- Emotional safety
- Respectful engagement
- Trauma-informed practice
- Non-discrimination
- Confidential participation
Staff must avoid re-traumatization and psychological harm.
8. RISK MANAGEMENT
Common Risks
| Risk | Control Measure |
|---|---|
| Fire hazard | Fire extinguishers |
| Violence | De-escalation procedures |
| Slips & falls | Safe flooring |
| Client crisis | Risk assessment |
| Data breach | Secure storage |
Risk assessments conducted regularly.
9. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Facilities must maintain:
✅ Emergency Exit Plan
✅ Evacuation Procedures
✅ Assembly Point
✅ Emergency Contacts Display
✅ First Aid Equipment
Emergency Numbers (South Africa)
- Ambulance / Fire: 10177
- Police (SAPS): 10111
- Mobile Emergency: 112
10. FIRE SAFETY
- Fire extinguishers accessible
- Exit routes clearly marked
- No blocked exits
- Electrical equipment inspected
- Fire drills conducted twice yearly
11. FIRST AID MANAGEMENT
Requirements:
- Fully stocked First Aid Kit
- Trained First Aid Officer
- Injury reporting procedures
First Aid Response
- Assess situation
- Provide assistance
- Call emergency services
- Record incident
12. INCIDENT REPORTING
All incidents must be reported within 24 hours.
Examples:
- Injury
- Aggressive behaviour
- Medical emergency
- Property damage
- Safety hazard
Incident Register must be maintained.
13. STAFF SAFETY
Office Safety
- Avoid working alone after hours
- Maintain secure entrances
- Panic contact access
Outreach & Home Visits
- Inform supervisor
- Record visit details
- Conduct risk assessment
- Avoid unsafe environments
14. CHILD PROTECTION & SAFEGUARDING
Staff must:
- Protect children from harm
- Report abuse immediately
- Maintain professional boundaries
- Follow mandatory reporting laws
15. HEALTH MONITORING
Programme monitors:
- Staff wellness
- Stress and burnout
- Safe workload allocation
- Psychological support needs
16. ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
- Proper waste disposal
- Noise control
- Safe storage of materials
- Energy and water conservation
17. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Staff must receive training on:
- Health & Safety Procedures
- Emergency Evacuation
- First Aid Awareness
- Crisis Management
- Child Protection
- Infection Control
Training conducted annually.
18. SAFETY INSPECTIONS
| Inspection Type | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Facility Inspection | Monthly |
| Safety Audit | Quarterly |
| Equipment Check | Monthly |
| Policy Review | Annually |
19. RECORD KEEPING
Maintain:
- Incident Register
- Safety Inspection Reports
- Training Records
- Risk Assessments
- Health Inspection Reports
20. CONFIDENTIALITY & DATA SAFETY
All records must:
- Be securely stored
- Be access-controlled
- Follow POPIA requirements
21. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Safety performance reviewed through:
- Incident analysis
- Staff feedback
- Inspection findings
- Programme evaluations
22. STAFF DECLARATION
I acknowledge understanding and compliance with this Health and Safety Manual.
Name: __________________________
Position: _______________________
Signature: ______________________
Date: ___________________________
23. APPROVAL
Approved for implementation under:
Neftaly Therapeutic Psychosocial Support Programme
Programme Manager: ______________________
Signature: ______________________________
Date: ___________________________________
✅ Health & Safety File Structure
Health & Safety Manual
│
├── Safety Policy
├── Emergency Procedures
├── Risk Assessments
├── Incident Reports
├── Inspection Records
└── Training Records