As thousands of South Africans return to work from the far reaches of the country and beyond, workplace safety takes the spotlight. Anticipating this need, the Return2Work Initiative has launched a range of punchy and accessible safe back2work videos. These are available free online for use and distribution to any business, union, employee or member of the public on the Return2Work.co.za website.

With the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping through the country, every effort must be made to limit transmission. Safety at work is paramount to ensure the wellbeing of employees and their families, as well as business productivity. Minimising the impact of the second wave in workplaces requires that employers across the public and private sectors, together with unions, take the lead in working together to get the “safe back2work” message out.

Raising awareness among workers and employers has been made much easier through the release of six educational videos which have been loaded onto the Return2Work website. These free, light-hearted, Covid-19 workplace educational videos are available in isiZulu, isiXhosa and seSotho with English subtitles. 

The videos cover a range of key messages about staying safe in workplaces by wearing masks properly; social distancing; sneezing into your elbow; following workplace protocols in terms of daily screening; travelling safely on public transport to and from work; socialising safely outside of work; and when and how one should self-isolate.

The videos supplement a range of workplace focused educational resources launched by Return2Work in December 2020. The educational resources provide clear and targeted content on workplace safety.

Both the educational resources and videos can be freely downloaded and distributed via email, WhatsApp, twitter, Instagram and Facebook. They have been developed by Return2Work, a voluntary collaboration, in conjunction with the Solidarity Fund.

“Many South Africans have moved to working from home, which is the safest of the options, but there are many, many occupations that require employees and employers to be at a physical place of work,” says Wendy Tlou, the Solidarity Fund’s Behavioural Change Pillar Executive Head. “We are imploring and reminding everyone to keep up with simple behavioural basics to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. If we protect ourselves, then we protect others, and together we protect our country. Let’s learn to co-exist with this virus safely in the workplace and in traveling to and from work. Whether we work in an office, a shop, a factory, a petrol station, gyms, restaurants, or any other environment, let us all reinforce the basics of ensuring our safety and health.”

Issued by: Return2Work and the Solidarity Fund. The Return2Work Initiative offers businesses, employers and employees clear and simple step by step guidance on re-opening and staying open, incorporating the key legal requirements and tools to minimise infection and maximise compliance. 

For more information on the videos and educational resources, contact Renee Grawitzky on 083 307 6754 or email rgrawitzky@gmail.com.  For Solidarity Fund queries, please contact Didi Masoetsa on 081 828 7660 or email Didi.Masoetsa@solidarityfund.co.za.