From: "Raynard Looch" Subject: KLASS LOOCH ASSOCIATES : OHS CHAT & SKINNER Date: 13 May 2002 11:59 AM Hi Folks I'm back! Did you really think that I would desert you? I'm the champion of your OHS (employer) rights and will never leave you at the mercy of the powers-that-(shouldn't) be! To tell you the truth I did consider abandoning the OHS Chat & Skinner newsletter in favour of the opening page on my website at www.klasslooch.com since I fear there may be some duplication. But then again, I would have to be less controversial on that web page and it's also less intimate! So you are stuck with me! Shall I be really honest? I wanted to frighten you into my bosom of Subscriber Products and make you pay! I'm still hoping.... This is going to be a quickie since it's essentially a reminder that in ONE week's time I'm on the road again preaching the OHS gospel should you or any of you colleagues wish to register. (It's going well, thanks folks). Also to point you to our website as we have done quite a lot of work / polishing on it. It's not full of whistles and stops - although I'm tempted to make it more flashy. Truth is I don't know how and also want it plain and simple. We also need to remind you that we are leaving our previous Service Providers at the end of the month and that all e-mail must be directed to either juliette@klasslooch.com or me at raynard@klasslooch.com ! I also thought I would use this opportunity to explain to you kind folks why I am such an OHS activist, constantly reminding the Department of Labour of their lamentable shortcomings when, as a employer champion, I should be encouraging the current mess since we can exploit it to our (employer) benefit. (Nothing is actually happening vis-a-vis employer prosecutions and I have even heard that the prosecutors are so fed up with the state of affairs that they are throwing cases out even where there is prima facie evidence of negligence)! Okay, so here is my reasoning. I predict that since the OHS inspectors cannot properly perform their investigations - I believe there are only about 50 with genuine OHS qualifications for the entire country - the prosecutors will have to usurp their task and test cases in court. The result more trials. Afterall the Department of Justice got a huge slice of the budget (over R870 million I think). Professional investigations of workplace incidents by professional inspectors will, to a large degree, avoid this as prosecutors will know whether a case is worth going to trial or not. (They cannot keep throwing out valid cases). So we must not celebrate the current lamentable situation. Only delinquent employers are and none of you fall into that category! Another scary development that I have encountered is that untrained inspectors, when conducting an investigation or inquiry into an incident, demand - and they have the power to do this - that the MD testify or fend various questions which should be directed at lower echelons! Finally. Desk rage! See www.health24.co.za/Default.asp?action=article%ContentID=11633 dated 10 April 2002. You will recall that a disgruntled postal worker recently shot and killed a few colleagues in the Free state! Apparently there are 18 000 assaults at the workplace per annum in the USA. I won't repeat the article verbatim but it concludes....."Experts agree that employers, not just their workers, ignore warning signs at their own risk." See also www.health24.co.za/Default.asp?action=article&ContentID=11746 dated 10 April 2002 entitled "Is your office a simmering volcano?" Another interesting article entitled "Health Hazards of hi-tech offices" at www.news.bbc.co,uk/hi/english/health/newsid_426000/426068.stm "Among the complaints which are set to become commonplace are repetitive strain injury (RSI), bad backs and eye strain. After RSI it will be stress! See www.news,bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_493000/493103.st. dated 10 April 2002 entitled "Firms accused of hiding stress costs." See also "Ex teacher wins damages for stress" at www.news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/education/newsid_461000/461704.stm My thanks once again to SAPPI SAICCOR for their support and great reception when I was at their plant last week. My thanks to the folks at JOHNSON MATTHEY as well. In case you all think I'm very clever, I thought I'd mention that I discovered this weekend, having moved home in December, that I have had the underfloor heating on since I moved in. No wonder my dogs were always panting and I was always moaning about the "hothouse" I had purchased! I shouldn't tell you this! Until we chat again. Remember the front page of our website also contains useful and controversial information. Inter-act with us. We welcome your views. I have something up my sleeve for later but may reserve it for those less "schloep" employers who actually subscribe! The Devils Advocate The views expressed in this newsletter represent the personal views of the Devils' Advocate and not necessarily of Klass Looch Associates. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This electronic communication may contain privileged and confidential information and is destined solely for the addressee(s). If it inadvertently reaches you, kindly forward to the addressee(s) or delete the mail. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for such an occurrence. raynard@klasslooch.com KLASS LOOCH ASSOCIATES PO Box 40 Melville 2109 Visit www.klasslooch.com & subscribe! Tel 0117267839 Fax 0117266463 Cell 0825749882