Health & Safety on Site
Your OHS Act and Construction Regulations duties, appointments, risk assessments, and the hazards that actually hurt people.
13 guides in this section
The OHS Act and Construction Regulations, Explained
How the OHS Act 85 of 1993 and Construction Regulations 2014 work: client, principal contractor and subbie duties, permits, 7-day notifications and the safety file.
Site Safety Essentials: Heights, Scaffolds, Excavations and PPE
SA site safety rules in plain English: the 2 m Fall Protection Plan under CR 10, SANS 10085:2024 scaffolding, excavation shoring, new noise rules and PPE duties.
DEL Inspections and Incident Reporting
What DEL inspectors can do on your site, the three enforcement notices, section 38 penalties, and how to report a death or 14-day injury on Annexure 1 plus WCL 2.
Asbestos Rules for Builders and Renovators
The Asbestos Abatement Regulations 2020 explained: Type 1, 2 and 3 work, registered contractors, the Plan of Work, 7-day DEL notice and the clearance certificate.
Silica Dust and Hazardous Chemicals on Site
Silica dust on SA sites: the 0.1 mg/m3 exposure limit, the HCA Regulations 2021, wet cutting and FFP3 controls, AIA air monitoring and medical surveillance duties.
The Construction Mafia: What to Do When a Forum Demands 30 Percent
What to do when a business forum demands 30 percent of your contract: why the demand is unlawful, how to report extortion to SAPS and the hotlines, and what works.
Building Plan Approval: When You Need It and What Happens Without It
When building plans must be approved under the NBRA: alterations, pools and minor works, the occupancy certificate, and what building without plans costs you.
SANS 10400 Explained, Part by Part
SANS 10400 explained for SA contractors: Parts A, B, L, P, T, W and XA in plain English, plus SANS 10252 water supply and SANS 10254 geyser rules.
The Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC)
The electrical Certificate of Compliance explained: who may issue it under SANS 10142-1, when new work needs one, and the 2-year rule on property transfer.
The Plumbing Certificate of Compliance
The plumbing Certificate of Compliance explained: master plumber self-certification via the PIRB, Cape Town's transfer rule, geyser compliance and SANS 10254.
Gas Installations and the Certificate of Conformity
Gas Certificate of Conformity rules: SAQCC Gas registered installers, when a CoC is required, the 5-year inspection cycle under SANS 10087-1:2024 and clearances.
Fire Compliance: Deemed-to-Satisfy Rules and Rational Design
SANS 10400-T and W explained: deemed-to-satisfy fire rules, compartment limits, when a rational fire design and a fire engineer are legally required in SA.
Environmental and Heritage Rules for Construction
NEMA EIA triggers, water use licences, NEMWA waste rules and the 60-year heritage permit under NHRA s34: the environmental checks before any SA build starts.