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Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development

General Register

Overview

In line with Section 63 of the Factories Act of 1973, factories and other locations making use of plant machinery must keep a general register. The general register must contain the various certificates, documentation and information prescribed by the Factories Act.

Operators who do not adhere to this standard are liable for a fine. Operators must keep the official report on the same premises as the equipment in question and it must be made available to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) personnel for inspection at any time.

Who is eligible?

Individuals and organizations which own, operate factories, use plant machinery and lifting equipment.

How do I get this service?

Operators must obtain a copy of a general register for use on their premises.The register is available at the Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) offices listed below. 

What supporting documents are required?

In order to obtain a copy of a general register, operators must present the following documents:

  • A valid National Identification card (Omang) for citizens or valid passport for non citizens
  • Proof of ownership of the factory and equipment within
How long will this service take?

A copy of a general register is provided immediately upon request at the DOHS offices

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No cost

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana, Ministry of Employment Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Occupational safety, public safety standards.

Keywords

General Register, occupational health and safety, mandatory inspection, worker safety, documentation, safety documentation, emergencies

Synonyms

Construction equipment, inspections, mandatory inspections, safety standards, safety protection, worker safety, protecting workers, general, register, record of safety

Workplace Accident Reporting and Investigation

Overview

The service handles situations where any accident occurs in a factory or other places or process or operation to which the provision of the Factories Act apply; whereby;

  • Loss of life is caused to a person employed in that factory
  • Any person is disabled for more than three days from earning full wage at the work at which he was employed; or which is the one of the classes of dangerous occurrences specified in the Act, written notice of the accident in the prescribed form and accompanied by prescribed particulars shall be forthwith be sent to the chief inspector.

Subsequent to the reporting of the accident an investigation shall be conducted immediately. The investigation will entail Interviews, Acquisition of victim and witness statements, observation, review of documents and sampling. Failure to comply with statutory requirement may lead to legal proceedings against the offender

Who is eligible?

Employers and employees prescribed under the Factories Act

How do I get this service?
  • Immediately report an accident or dangerous occurrence in a prescribed form (OHS form 60) which can be obtained from Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS)
  • Upon receiving the notification the DOHS will release a team to conduct investigation of the accident / dangerous occurrence and subsequently come up with recommendations to avert recurrence
What supporting documents are required?
  • Qualifications of the victim and some colleagues
  • Employment contract
  • Identification documents
  • Insurance certificate
  • Reports for examinable plant
  • Materials safety data sheets and maintenance record of machines
How long will this service take?

Fourteen (14) working days

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No cost

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana, Ministry of Labour and Home Afairs, Occupational safety, public safety standards.

Keywords

Examination of Cranes and Other Lifting Machine, chains, ropes, gears, occupational health and safety, equipment inspection, cranes, crane, lifting equipment, pulley, pulleys ropes, gears

Synonyms

Construction equipment, inspections, mandatory inspections, safety standards, safety protection, worker safety, protecting workers

Workers Compensation

Overview

This provides for compensation of workers for injuries suffered or occupational diseases contracted in the course of employment, or for death resulting from such injuries or diseases and for matters incidental and connected to the foregoing.

  • When a worker gets injured or contracts a work related disease he or she must report the injury or the disease to his or her employer immediately or within 10 days of incurring such.
  • Where a worker has given such notice the employer should have him or her examined by a medical practitioner named by the employer.
  • The employer should report the injury to the Department of Labour within 17 days by completing the prescribed form (BL form 43/10)
  • Application for workers compensation has to be made to the nearest Labour office within 12 months from the date the injury was incurred.
Who is eligible?

Workers Compensation is awarded to employees who incurred injuries or contracted occupational diseases/illnesses during the course and scope of their employment, these include all employees such as;

  • Farm Workers
  • Domestic Workers
  • Security Guards
  • Private Sector
  • Parastatal
  • Government Employees
How do I get this service?
  • When a worker gets injured or contracts a work related disease he or she must report the injury or the disease to his or her employer immediately or within 10 days of incurring such.
  • Where a worker has given such notice the employer should have him or her examined by a medical practitioner named by the employer.
  • The employer should report the injury to the Department of Labour and Social Security (DLSS) or Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) within 17 days by completing the prescribed form (BL form 43/10)
  • Application for workers compensation has to be made to the nearest DLSS /DOHS Offices within 12 months from the date the injury was incurred.

In order to access this service, employers of the injured worker should submit the following:

  • Form 43/10
  • Form 43/02
  • Form 43/03 (to be completed by medical practitioner)
  • Form 43/07 (to be completed by Insurance Company)

In order to access this service, applicants must complete the following steps:

  • Download, complete the Workers’ compensation form and submit with supporting documents to the nearest office
  • Once the workers compensation forms are received by the department, assessment of the claim begins and acknowledgement letter written to the employer copied to the claimant
  • If the claim legible the Labour Officer compute and write an award letter to the employer copied to the claimant.
What supporting documents are required?
  • Statement from 2 witnesses
  • Statement from the injured worker
  • Covering letter/statement from the employer
  • Police report if it’s a Road Traffic Accident or Assault
  • Post-mortem and Death Certificate in case of fatalities
How long will this service take?

The process depends on management of the injury by medical practitioner

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No cost

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana

Keywords

Cause of injury, type of injury, schedule of incapacity, certificate of insurance, medical report, incident report

Synonyms

Cause of injury, Type of injury, Schedule of Incapacity, Certificate of Insurance, Medical report, Incident report

Factory Registration

Overview

This deals with the issuance of certificates of registration for premises before they could be in operation. An offender is liable to fines, imprisonment or both. Factories as defined in the Factories Act including government factories which meet the outlined criteria qualify for this service.

Factory registration is proof that the occupier has permission to conduct the operation(s) at the location specified on the certificate.

Registration is required for premises where persons are regularly employed in any of the following activities, or similar activities for purposes of trade or gain:

  • Manufacturing, altering, repairing, ornamenting, finishing, cleaning, washing, breaking up, demolition or adapting of any article for sale
  • Printing by letterpress or bookbinding
  • Generation of electricity
  • Supply of water using mechanical power
  • Sewage works using mechanical power

Premises where activities similar to the above are undertaken by the local or central government also require registration.

Who is eligible?

Factories.

How do I get this service?
  • Download, complete the Application ohs Form 1 for Registration of a New Factory and submit with supporting documents to the nearest DOHS office.
  • Once the application form is received by the department, an inspection of the premises is conducted to check its suitability for the nature stated in the application.
  • If the factory passes the inspection, the Director of Occupational Health and Safety shall issue the applicant a registration certificate.
  • The clients are informed by phone call that their factory registration certificate is ready for collection.
  • The certificate is collected from records management unit (RMU).
What supporting documents are required?
  • DOHS approved building plan
  • Local Authority building permit
  • Compulsory site visit report
How long will this service take?

Ten (10) working days.

Where can I obtain this service?

Gaborone

Block 8 Government Enclave

Francistown

1st Floor, Ntshe House

Conner Guy and St Patrick Streets

Maun

Integrated Block, Rural Administration Centre

Lobatse

Plot 3114

1st Floor, Century House

Corner of Letsholathebe Street and 1st Khama Avenue

Selebi-Phikwe

First Floor above Department of Tourism

Plot 2574

 

 

 

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No cost.

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana

Keywords

Factory registration, registration of a factory, factory premise, manufacturing, Factory Act, printing, generation of electricity, inspection, inspection of factory, inspection of premises, occupational health and safety

Synonyms

Registering a factory, registering factory premise, warehouse, manufacturing facility, safety requirements for factories

Examination of Steam Receivers

Overview

Steam receivers must be examined by personnel authorized by the Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) at least once (1) within every twenty six (26) months period. This process is intended to minimize the risk of explosions or other malfunctions possible for pressure vessels. Operators who do not adhere to this standard are liable for a fine. Operators must keep the official report, logging each inspection, on the same premises as the equipment in question and it must be made available DOHS personnel for inspection at any time.

Who is eligible?

Individuals and organizations which own and operate steam receivers.

How do I get this service?
  • Operators must hire the services of an authorized examiner from the list of authorized examiners. This list is updated throughout the year. 
  • Once an inspection by an authorized examiner has taken place, the examiner is required by law to issue a report to the operator detailing and assessing the state of the equipment in question.
  • This report must be kept in the official log of the operator and available for inspection by DOHS personnel.
What supporting documents are required?
  • An inspector may require the owner to produce documents proving ownership of the equipment being examined
  • The official assessment report is the sole documentation required for the DOHS
How long will this service take?

One (1) working day.

Where can I obtain this service?

Gaborone

Block 8 Government Enclave

 

Francistown

1st Floor, Ntshe House

Conner Guy and St Patrick Streets

 

Maun

Integrated Block, Rural Administration Centre

 

Lobatse

Plot 3114

1st Floor, Century House

Corner of Letsholathebe Street and 1st Khama Avenue

 

Selebi-Phikwe

First Floor above Department of Tourism

Plot 2574

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?
  • BWP 15 for steam receiver of diameter 800mm or over
  • BWP 8 for steam receiver of diameter less than 800mm and steam receivers of circular shape respectively

 

The fine for non-compliance is BWP 100 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two (2) months or to both

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana, Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Occupational safety, public safety standards.

 

Keywords

Examination of Steam receivers, steam boilers, steam receivers, receiver, occupational health and safety, equipment inspection, boilers, construction, mandatory inspection, worker safety.

Synonyms

Construction equipment, inspections, mandatory inspections, safety standards, safety protection, worker safety, protecting workers

Examination of Steam or Air Receiver Normal Pressure - Supplementary Report

Overview

Steam receivers must be examined by personnel authorised by the Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) at least once within every 26 months period. This process is intended to minimise the risk of explosions or other malfunctions possible for pressure vessels.  As steam boilers and air receivers operate under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, this inspection is therefore deemed important.

Operators must keep the official report, logging each inspection, on the same premises as the equipment in question and it must be made available to DOHS personnel for inspection at any time.

Who is eligible?

Citizens and non-citizens companies with Steam or Air Receivers

How do I get this service?
  • Operators must hire the services of an authorised examiner from the list of authorised examiners.  This list is updated throughout the year. 
  • Once an inspection by an authorised examiner has taken place, the examiner is required by law to issue a report to the operator detailing and assessing the state of the equipment in question.
  • This report must be kept in the official log of the operator and available for inspection by DOHS personnel.
What supporting documents are required?
  • The official assessment report
  • An inspector may require the owner to produce documents proving ownership of the equipment being examined
How long will this service take?

 One (1) working day

Where can I obtain this service?

Gaborone

Block 8 Government Enclave

 

Francistown

1st Floor, Ntshe House

Conner Guy and St Patrick Streets

 

Maun

Integrated Block, Rural Administration Centre

 

Lobatse

Plot 3114

1st Floor, Century House

Corner of Letsholathebe Street and 1st Khama Avenue

 

Selebi-Phikwe

First Floor above Department of Tourism

Plot 2574

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No cost

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana, Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Occupational safety, public safety standards.

Keywords

Examination of Steam or Air Receiver Normal Pressure - Supplementary Report, air receivers, steam receiver, receivers, steam receivers, receiver, occupational health and safety, equipment inspection, boilers, construction, mandatory inspection, worker safety.

Synonyms

Construction equipment, inspections, mandatory inspections, safety standards, safety protection, worker safety, protecting workers

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