The South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA) is stepping up support for members as occupational health and safety (OHS) compliance comes under increasing scrutiny from regulators and insurers.

With more Department of Employment and Labour inspections taking place and insurers placing greater emphasis on OHS compliance within their approved networks, SAMBRA has commissioned a dedicated OHS support project to help members managetheir compliance obligations.

“Occupational health and safety compliance is no longer something businesses can afford to treat as an administrative exercise that sits in a file,” says Juan Hanekom, OHS Support for Members at SAMBRA. “There is increasing pressure onbusinesses to demonstrate that their OHS systems are properly implemented, understood by employees and actively managed.”

As part of the initiative, participating SAMBRA members will receive a comprehensive OHS Compliance File designed to support the implementation and ongoing management of their workshop OHS requirements.

Members will also have access to unlimited online compliance training for employees for a fixed three-month period, at no additional cost.

The training covers a range of important compliance areas, including SHE induction, ergonomic regulations, basic firefighting and First Aid renewals.

“This initiative is about making compliance more practical and accessible for our members,” says Hanekom. “Smaller businesses in particular often face significant time, cost and administrative pressures when trying to keep up with changingcompliance requirements. By providing the tools and training through the Association, we can help members strengthen their OHS systems without having to carry the full burden individually.”

The initiative is also designed to help members prepare for regulatory inspections and respond to the growing OHS expectations of insurers and other industry stakeholders.

The OHS Compliance Files have already been distributed to SAMBRA regions, with Area Representatives now delivering them directly to participating members.

Hanekom says the project demonstrates the practical value of belonging to an industry association.

“SAMBRA’s role is not only to represent the interests of the motor body repair industry, but also to find practical solutions that help members operate more effectively and compliantly. This project is a good example of how the collectivestrength of the Association can provide access to resources that could otherwise represent a significant cost and administrative burden for individual businesses.”

The initiative forms part of SAMBRA’s ongoing commitment to providing practical support that helps members manage regulatory requirements, reduce business risk and operate to appropriate industry standards.