While there are a number of HIV and AIDS programmes that provide counseling and testing as well as education campaigns, the South African National Standards (SANS) 16001:2007, is the first internationally accredited management system.
Taking the lead in HIV and AIDS management in the workplace and particularly in the industrial sector the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), launched the SANS 16001: 2007 HIV and AIDS management system.
This week Hammarsdale based Glodina was the first company to be accredited with the SANS HIV and AIDS management system - a constantly monitored and verified ISO rating in the all-important area of HIV and Aids treatment and prevention at a company level.
“The difference is that management systems, such as the familiar ISO quality and environmental accreditations, require compliance and continuous improvement driven by the accreditation holder. The compliance is regularly auditing and monitoring by independent agents, to ensure continuous improvement.,” says Glodina managing director, Paul Redondi.
The system ensures that the accredited company follows all the best procedures to limit the spread of HIVand AIDS amongst its work force while at the same time ensuring that all infected workers are given the very best counseling, advice, medical care and support.
Redondi says work towards accreditation began in 2007 and the practical benefits are already apparent.
“The area from which we draw our workforce has a very high incidence of HIV and AIDS. In addition, the workforce at Glodina consists largely of women who are more susceptible to HIV and AIDS infection than men.
“We know the contribution people make to our business, and from a social responsibility viewpoint, because of where we operate, HIV and AIDS has always become our prime focus.”
“But besides the social responsibility aspect, putting the HIV/AIDS management system in place has already had a positive effect on our business in that we have reduced our absenteeism by nearly a quarter, and morale has improved greatly,” said Redondi.
The SABS will hand over the accreditation certificate at a ceremony at the Glodina factory on International Aids Day, December 1.
