Comment is sought on the Draft Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill

26 May 2021

The explanatory summary of the Draft Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill was published in Government Gazette 44572 on 14 May 2021.

The draft bill seeks to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, so as to:

• delete, substitute and insert certain definitions;
• effect certain technical corrections;
• make further provision in respect of 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;
• further regulate 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;
• further regulate the composition of an advisory council for occupational health and safety; and
• provide for matters connected therewith.

The draft bill aims to strengthen the safety measures of workers in their respective workplaces and introduces provisions that empower employees to withhold their labour should they feel the environment is dangerous and unsafe without being victimised by employers.

The employment and labour department published the call for comment in Gazette 44610.

Comment is invited until 31 July 2021.

See also:

• Employment Equity Amendment Bill set to send ripples throughout South Africa’s business sectors
• Coronavirus – Occupational health and safety measures in workplaces – South Africa
• Occupational health & safety: When working from home does the home become a workplace and what happens if you are injured at home?
• Employers and employees must be #COVID-19 health and safety compliant under level 4 of the #lockdown

(This article is provided for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. For more information on the topic, please contact the author/s or the relevant provider.)