A safe working environment is not a “nice-to-have” but a legal and moral responsibility. To appreciate why occupational health and safety is important, consider that the International Labour Organisation reports 340 million employees suffer a work-related accident each year, while 160 million develop an occupational disease. These figures underline the importance of occupational health and safety (OHS) as a core management priority, not a compliance afterthought.
South Africa’s Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 requires every employer to create, implement and maintain a written health and safety policy that protects every worker, contractor and visitor. Failure to manage hazards, risk and injury exposes companies to compensation claims, regulatory penalties and reputational harm.
What is OHS?
Occupational health and safety is a multidisciplinary practice that protects the health, safety and welfare of people at work. It combines:
| Aspect | Purpose | Examples |
| Risk management | Identify, assess and control workplace dangers | Slips, falls, ergonomics, and chemical exposure |
| Preventive training | Equip staff with knowledge and skills to work safely | PPE use, machine guarding, and safe lifting |
| Regulation & policy | Align organisational practice with national legislation and international standards | OHSA, ISO 45001, industry codes |
| Continuous improvement | Review performance, set targets and audit progress | Internal audits, external OHS compliance audits, and safety committees |
7 Key Benefits for Employers and Employees
- Incident Prevention
Early hazard identification reduces accidents, occupational illnesses and long-term medical costs. A proactive OHS audit can reveal gaps before they become injuries. - Financial Protection
Avoid fines, legal claims and unplanned downtime. Effective risk controls lower the total cost of workplace accidents and keep insurance premiums in check. - Business Reputation
Demonstrating a robust safety culture reassures clients, regulators and investors, strengthening brand credibility across any industry. - Productivity & Efficiency
Healthy, motivated employees lose less time to injury or illness, directly improving productivity and project delivery. - Lower Absenteeism & Staff Turnover
A secure work environment boosts morale and retention, preserving institutional knowledge and reducing recruitment costs. - Higher Operating Standards
Good housekeeping, safe equipment and clear procedures raise overall operational quality and support ISO or NOSA certification goals. - Asset & People Protection
Employees are a company’s greatest asset. A strong safety culture safeguards human capital, physical plant and the bottom line.
Common Workplace Hazards to Manage
- Physical – noise, heat, moving machinery, working at height
- Chemical – solvents, cleaning agents, pesticides
- Biological – blood-borne pathogens, mould, vermin
- Ergonomic – repetitive strain, poor posture, awkward lifting
- Psychosocial – stress, fatigue, harassment, violence
Employers must identify, evaluate and control these hazards through training, engineering controls and effective health and safety management systems.
How to Embed a Safe Workplace Culture
- Set a clear, signed occupational health and safety policy.
- Train employees regularly and document competence.
- Conduct scheduled OHS compliance audits and workplace inspections.
- Provide and maintain suitable equipment and PPE.
- Involve employees in safety committees and incident investigations.
- Review performance targets and update controls to meet changing conditions.
Next Steps for Employers
SafetyCloud is South Africa’s trusted partner in OHS education, from introductory courses to advanced ISO 45001 lead auditor programmes. Our industry-designed training helps you implement, manage and continually improve a safe workplace.
Ready to raise your safety standards? Enquire today and see training that turns legislative responsibility into a lasting competitive advantage.