Güney Afrika Kalkınma Topluluğunda Sağlık Sektörüne Yönelik İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği Mevzuatı: Botsvana ve Güney Afrika Örneği

Abstract

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation, regulation, and enforcement for workers in all sectors worldwide still need to be improved and require a radical and systematic approach to foster development. However, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the great need for OHS legislation in every sector, with health at the forefront. Some nations in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region need more organizational and legislative structures in OHS, particularly in the health sector. Literature on OHS in the Southern African region is scarce because it is still in its infancy and greatly underdeveloped. The purpose of this study is to conduct a traditional review of the structure of OHS legislation in the SADC region, specifically in Botswana and South Africa's health sector. In conclusion, Botswana and South Africa have reached different levels in developing legislation frameworks that govern workplace health and safety, with South Africa having a highly developed system compared to Botswana. Human resource shortage and a lack of OHS expertise are significant challenges in implementing and adhering to workplace health and safety programs in both countries. The development of occupational health, specifically in the health sector in both countries, the Southern African region and other developing countries, could be aided by a focus on developing specific policies and legislations and providing training and education in OHS.