Stephan Pietersen from Work Accident Support is back to answer some of the most pressing farmers’ questions. This month, he discusses the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act with the focus on the benefits payable in terms of this Act. Based in Pretoria, Work Accident Support helps with the consultation and administration of work-related accidents and injuries across South Africa.
Ok, Stephan, first things first. Please give a brief overview of what the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID) Act entails.
All companies in South Africa must register with the department of labour’s compensation fund to cover their workers against work accidents. This must happen as soon as they appoint an employee, including seasonal workers.
These companies must also pay and annual fee to the Compensation Fund. Failure to do this will result in penalties being issued in favour of the company. Once a worker gets injured, there are certain benefits payable in terms of the COID Act.
How many accidents are normally reported annually to the Compensation Fund?
During the 2018/2019 financial year, more than 117 000 accidents were reported. About 10 000 of this came from farmers – the most from any sector in South Africa.
This is understandable because of the number of workers employed by the sector and, also, the risks accompanied with farming. Many workers are based on the land and have to manual labour. During this period, the Western Cape had the second most injuries after Gauteng.
What process must be followed when a worker is injured at work?
As soon as a worker is injured, they must inform the supervisor, manager or owner about the accident so that the necessary forms can be completed. It is the responsibility of the owner to transport the worker to the nearest doctor or to contact an ambulance to do so. The employer is also responsible to pay the employee their salary if they are booked off duty for more than three days.
Tell us more about the possible benefits following an accident.
As mentioned, the employer is responsible to pay the worker’s salary for the period booked off duty. The employer can claim this back from the Compensation Fund. This is called “temporary total disablement” meaning “loss of income”.
This payment must be made for up to three months should the worker be booked off for more than three months. Thereafter, the worker must claim the salary directly from the Compensation Fund.
Another benefit is a payment for permanent disablement. In the event where an employee suffered permanent disability, the Compensation Fund will calculate a percentage of what is payable to the employee. Examples of this can be where a worker’s finger was amputated or, in more serious cases, where a worker ends up in wheelchair.
Covid-19 cases, where a worker contracted this in the workplace ,must also reported. In the unfortunate instance where an employee passed away, a pension can be payable to the spouse and children of the deceased worker as well as the funeral benefits.
Children of workers who are receiving a monthly pension from the Compensation Fund can also apply for a bursary.
Another important benefit in terms of the act is the medical cost. The fund also acts like a medical scheme where doctors and hospitals must submit their invoices directly to the fund. This means that workers and companies must not pay for medical expenses.
What companies should also know is that it is unlawful not to report work accidents and owners can be penalised and prosecuted for this.
- Stephan Pietersen has more than 20 years’ experience dealing the COID Act and is the owner of Work Accident Support, a company acting as a third-party administrator for companies and also consult companies about the administration of work accidents. Need help with employer related matters? For more information, call 064 360 2638 or email support@workaccident.co.za. You can also visit www.workaccident.co.za.
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