Internal COVID-19 Compliance Officer – Focus on Disaster Management as distinct from Fit and Proper CO

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The latest Regulations in terms of the Disaster Management Act set out specific measures that employers are required to take to protect their employees in the workplace from COVID-19.

According to the Level 4 Regulations (Sec 16(6)) as well as Clause 16.5 of the COVID-19 Directives on Health and Safety in the Workplace, the employer must designate an employee in writing, as a Compliance Officer whose duties, amongst other things, are to ensure that:

The COVID-19 prevention measures are complied with.
The COVID-19 health and hygiene protocols are complied with.
The workplace plan is complied with.
The name of the Compliance Officer must be displayed in a visible area or be communicated to employees.

The requirement for the appointment of the COVID-19 Compliance Officer applies to all industries, business, entities, both in the private and public sectors. In the Financial Services industry the same guidelines refer, and the COVID-19 Compliance Officer should not be confused with a FAIS Compliance Officer.

Unless a person is designated by the organisation, the responsibility will resort with the head/owner of the business.

The Moonstone Compliance team has compiled a detailed COVID-19 pack that provides clients with everything they need to do when re-opening their business. Contact your Moonstone Compliance Officer for more information.