Abstract
Sasol Synthetic Fuels, a petrochemical companysituated at Secunda, South Africa, employs more or less 10000 permanent as well as part-time employees. The company realised in 1996 that the standard at which occupational health was conducted neither addressed the needs of the business environment within which it had to function, nor fulfilled the legal requirements that it had to. The need for an applicable Occupational Health System was born. After an unsuccessful search for a commercially available system, the decision was taken to develop one. It had to be comprehensive and strategically value-adding.
This study examines the requirements of an Occupational Health System against the background of the field of study. It states issues and concerns and suggests solutions. The approach to and design of an Occupational Health System from a strategic management viewpoint is contemplated. It suggests a specific architecture for such a system and sets goals and deliverables. The overall system is divided into a number of subsystems, arranged into levels according to management and strategic considerations. Four main subsystems are suggested. A systematic approach towards all aspects of the system, from planning to implementation and conducting thereof, is constantly and strongly advocated.
Particular attention is paid to risk profiling, the compilation of a central database and data analysis in order to arrive at accurate health trend determination. The conversion of data into strategic information is specifically addressed.
Prof. H.E.C. de Bruyn