In South Africa, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHS Act) places strict legal obligations on employers to maintain a work environment that is free of risks to employees’ health and safety. This means that all employers must implement an effective health and safety management system in the workplace.
One of the most important aspects of meeting these health and safety management requirements is investing in high-quality, accredited health and safety management courses. The training provided by accredited providers is aligned with South African legislation, giving employers confidence that the course content meets the requirements of the OHS Act and the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL).
This guide provides an overview of essential health and safety management courses relevant to South African businesses.
Defining health and safety management training
What is a health and safety management course? Occupational health and safety management training focuses on equipping employees, managers, and health and safety professionals with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to implement health and safety management systems in the workplace.
First Aid, Fire and Safety Training offers a range of role-specific health and safety courses and workshops that fall under this umbrella.
Essential health and safety management courses and fee structures
1. Health and Safety Specialist course (10 days)
This is the flagship health and safety management course designed for individuals looking to launch a dedicated career as a Health and Safety Officer. It provides delegates with a comprehensive skill set that enables them to manage health and safety in any organisation.
What you will learn:
- Key requirements of the OHS Act
- How to implement a holistic, logical health and safety management system across an entire organisation
- How to manage or advise on the health and safety budget
- How to conduct comprehensive, compliant risk assessments
- How to conduct rigorous incident investigations to identify root causes
- Understand the legal requirements for managing contractors and contractor agreements
- How to develop emergency response procedures
- How to develop and maintain essential health and safety documentation and policies
- First Aid Level 1
- How to implement fire prevention programmes and extinguish workplace fires
Health and safety management course fee:
- The Health and Safety Officer course fee is R10,750 ex VAT
2. Health & Safety Supervisor course (2 days)
Health and safety management requirements stipulated by the OHS Act include the need for employers to provide sufficient supervision in the workplace. This Health & Safety Supervisor course is ideal for line managers, site managers, work supervisors, and other members of management tasked with implementing health and safety in the workplace.
What you will learn:
- Understand the key requirements of the OHS Act
- Learn the roles and responsibilities of a Health and Safety Supervisor
- How to conduct risk assessments and incident investigations
- Implement practical health and safety systems and procedures in your work area
- Plan and manage workplace health and safety activities
- Understand the structure and responsibilities of the workplace health and safety team
- Contribute to legal compliance and a safer working environment
- Develop confidence in supervising health and safety within your department or organisation
Health and safety management course fee:
- Health and Safety Supervisor in-person training: R1,450.00 ex VAT
- Health and Safety Supervisor online training (via MS Teams): R1,295.00 ex VAT
3. Occupational Health & Safety Act Course (1 day)
A highly focused, strategic masterclass aimed at demystifying the text of the OHS Act 85 of 1993. It is ideal for business owners, executives, and HR managers who need a working knowledge of statutory liabilities.
What you will learn:
- Understand the purpose and structure of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 85 of 1993
- Learn the legal duties and responsibilities of employers, employees and management
- Gain an understanding of the key sections and regulations of the OHS Act
- Understand the roles and functions of Health and Safety Representatives and Committees
- Learn employer obligations for workplace policies, communication and incident reporting
- Understand the legal requirements for managing contractors and contractor agreements
- Recognise the consequences of non-compliance with the OHS Act
- Develop the knowledge needed to apply the OHS Act confidently in your workplace
Health and safety management course fee:
- OHS Act in-person training: R975.00 ex VAT
- OHS Act online training (via MS Teams): R925.00 ex VAT
4. HIRA: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (1 day)
The OHS Act compels employers to take proactive steps to identify hazards and control risks in the workplace, making HIRA (hazard identification and risk assessment) a foundational aspect of health and safety management.
What you will learn:
- Understand the legal requirements for HIRA under the OHS Act
- Learn how to identify workplace hazards and evaluate the risks they present
- Understand the different types of risk assessments and when each should be used
- Conduct systematic workplace risk assessments using recognised HIRA methods
- Complete and use risk assessment documentation
- Record and communicate risk assessment findings effectively
- Recommend practical control measures to eliminate, reduce, or manage workplace risks
- Understand the importance of ongoing risk assessments and follow-up actions to maintain a safe workplace
Health and safety management course fee:
- HIRA in-person training: R975.00 ex VAT
- HIRA online training: R925.00 ex VAT
5. 16.2 Appointee workshop (2-3 hours)
The OHS Act allows for the CEO to delegate health and safety management to an appropriate person, commonly termed a ‘16.2 Appointee’. This two to three hour workshop is ideal for employers, executives, managers, or anyone to whom health and safety management has been delegated.
What you will learn:
- Understand the legal duties of employers, CEOs and directors under Section 16 of the OHS Act
- Gain an overview of the key sections of the OHS Act that apply to senior management
- Learn the responsibilities of employers, employees, Health and Safety Representatives, and Health and Safety Committees
- Understand the legal requirements for workplace health and safety policies and communication
- Learn the employer’s responsibilities for incident reporting and contractor management
- Understand the legal consequences of non-compliance with the OHS Act
- Gain practical knowledge to strengthen health and safety leadership within your organisation
- Build confidence in fulfilling your legal responsibilities and supporting workplace compliance
Health and safety management course fee:
- 16.2 Appointee in-person training: R595.00 ex VAT
- 16.2 Appointee online training: R575.00 ex VAT
6. Incident Investigation (1 day)
Workplace incidents and accidents can occur in any organisation, but a thorough investigation can help prevent them from happening again. This one-day course equips Health and Safety Representatives, supervisors, managers and appointed Incident Investigators with the knowledge and practical skills to investigate workplace incidents, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions that improve workplace safety and legal compliance.
What you will learn:
- Understand the legal requirements for incident investigation under the OHS Act
- Learn which workplace incidents must be investigated and reported
- Follow a structured incident investigation process from start to finish
- Identify the root causes of workplace incidents
- Gather and evaluate evidence to determine what happened
- Learn how to complete incident investigation reports accurately
- Develop practical recommendations to prevent similar incidents from recurring
Health and safety management course fee:
- Incident Investigation in-person training: R975.00 ex VAT
- Incident Investigation online training: R925.00 ex VAT
Flexible training delivery options
First Aid, Fire and Safety Training offers versatile facilitation methods to suit your business needs:
- Public training venues: Fully equipped training centres located across major economic hubs, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Gqeberha.
- On-site corporate training: Facilitated directly at your company premises (requires a minimum of eight delegates).
- Virtual classrooms: Interactive, real-time online training conducted via Microsoft Teams, reducing travel and accommodation overheads (available for selected courses).
Ensure full OHS compliance with First Aid, Fire and Safety Training
Failing to implement health and safety management systems can expose your business to financial liabilities, Department of Employment and Labour prohibition notices, and – in the event of a serious accident – even criminal prosecution under the OHS Act. First Aid, Fire and Safety Training provides trusted, accredited health and safety training, emergency preparedness equipment, and tailored occupational health and safety management services.
Contact us to request a comprehensive corporate quotation, book accredited training, or speak with an advisor about your unique OHS management needs.