Construction Work Permit & Notification Thresholds

Big jobs need a construction work permit from the Chief Inspector before you start; smaller-but-still-sizeable jobs need the client to notify in writing. The thresholds under the Construction Regulations 2014.

Construction work permit (Construction Regulations 2014)

A permit is required if the work	lasts more than 180 days, OR involves more than 1,800 person-days, OR exceeds R13 million (a CIDB Grade 6 level)
Apply to	The Chief Inspector, before construction starts

The Chief Inspector exemption (raised thresholds)

Duration	More than 365 days, AND
Person-days	More than 3,600 person-days
Tender-value trigger	Revised upward to higher CIDB grade levels
Important	An exemption notice modifies the base thresholds -- confirm the operative notice applies to your job

Notification (the client notifies the inspector)

When	At least 7 days before work starts
Trigger	Work lasting more than 30 days WITH more than 20 workers at once, OR more than 500 person-days

Reference only -- not legal advice. A permit and a notification are different things with different thresholds -- read them carefully. Some industry sources quote R40 million / R60 million triggers; these are misread CIDB grade ceilings and are NOT carded here. Confirm the current Chief Inspector exemption notice in the Government Gazette, and note Draft Construction Regulations may change these thresholds.

Sources: Construction Regulations 2014 (OHS Act) · Chief Inspector exemption notice (Government Gazette) · Department of Employment and Labour

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