Occupational Health and Safety Act
Act 85 of 1993 governs workplace health and safety for most South African workplaces, excluding mining operations.
Key Requirements
Employer Duties (Section 8)
Provide and maintain a safe working environment, safe systems of work, and necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision.
Safety Committees
Establish health and safety committees when employing 20 or more employees, or when required by labour inspector.
Risk Assessments
Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and implement control measures following the hierarchy of controls.
Mandatory Reporting
Report certain incidents to the Department of Employment and Labour within 7 days using Form WCL 2.
Record Keeping
Maintain records of incidents, risk assessments, training, medical surveillance, and safety committee meetings.
Appointment of Safety Personnel
Appoint competent safety personnel based on business risk profile and number of employees.
Reporting Requirements
| Report Type | Deadline | Form/Document |
|---|---|---|
| Fatalities | Immediately (telephonically + written within 7 days) | WCL 2 |
| Major Injuries | Within 7 days | WCL 2 |
| Occupational Diseases | Within 14 days of diagnosis | ODC 1 |
| Dangerous Occurrences | Within 7 days | WCL 2 |
| Annual Safety Stats | By March 31 annually | WCL 3 |
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