South African statutory law administered by the Department of Labour
The Occupational Health and Safety Act is a
South African statutory law administered by the
Department of Employment and Labour. The full title is No. 85 of 1993: Occupational Health and Safety Act as amended by. Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act, No. 181 Of 1993 and the Labour Relations Act, No. 66 of 1995. Several regulations under the act are in force. The English version of the act was signed by the state president in June 1993.[1]
The scope of the act is:
To provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and machinery; the protection of persons other than persons at work against hazards to health and safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work; to establish an advisory council for occupational health and safety; and to provide for matters connected therewith.[1]
The act supersedes and repeals: The Machinery and Occupational Safety Act, 1983, the Machinery and Occupational Safety Amendment Act, 1989, and the Machinery and Occupational Safety Amendment Act, 1991.
The act enshrines the
right to sit for South African workers, where reasonably applicable.[2][3]
Regulations under the act
Asbestos Regulations, 2001[4][5] Regulations covering work that may expose workers to asbestos dust.
Certificate of Competency Regulations, 1990[4][5] – Obtaining a Certificate of Competency for mechanical engineering.
Construction Regulations, 2003[4] superseded by Construction Regulations 2014[5] – Regulations covering construction work.
Diving Regulations 2001,[4] superseded by Diving Regulations 2010.[5] – Regulation of commercial diving activities.
Draft Diving Regulations 2018
Driven Machinery Regulations, 1988,[4] superseded by Driven Machinery regulations, 2011[5] and by Driven Machinery regulations, 2015[5]
Electrical Installation Regulations, 2003[4] superseded by Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009[5] and by Electrical Installation Regulations, 2013[5]