Health and Safety Training Courses for OHSA Compliance in South Africa

Health and safety compliance is not optional for South African businesses. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers carry a legal duty to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to employees, contractors, and the public. Failure to comply can result in fines, legal action, reputational damage, operational disruption, and serious injury or loss of life.

Beyond the legal implications, non-compliance often leads to increased incidents, downtime, compensation claims, and low employee morale. Effective health and safety training plays a critical role in reducing these risks. 

As an accredited occupational health and safety training provider, DDi supports organisations across South Africa with practical, compliant, and industry-relevant training solutions designed to meet OHSA requirements.

What Is Occupational Health and Safety Training?

Occupational health and safety training equips employees with the knowledge and practical skills required to identify hazards, follow safe work procedures, and respond appropriately to incidents in the workplace. It ensures that staff understand their responsibilities under OHSA and can actively contribute to maintaining a safe working environment.

Well-structured OHS training empowers employees to recognise unsafe acts and conditions, prevent incidents before they occur, and respond effectively when emergencies arise. Certified training also supports organisation-wide compliance by ensuring that legally required roles  (such as first aiders, SHE representatives, and fire marshals) are properly trained and competent.

Understanding OHSA Compliance in South Africa

The Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85 of 1993 places clear obligations on employers to identify workplace hazards, implement control measures, and provide appropriate training and supervision. Compliance is not achieved through documentation alone; it requires competent people who understand and apply health and safety principles daily.

Health and safety training courses form the backbone of a compliant safety management system. OHSA specifically requires employers to appoint and train individuals for certain roles, including:

• First aiders
• Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) representatives
• Fire-fighting personnel
• Supervisors and managers responsible for workplace safety
  
  

Without appropriate training, these appointments are invalid, leaving organisations exposed to legal and operational risk.

Types of Health and Safety Training Courses Companies Need

Basic Health and Safety Training

Basic health and safety training provides employees with foundational knowledge of workplace hazards, risk awareness, and safe work practices. It typically covers hazard identification, incident reporting, emergency procedures, and employee responsibilities under OHSA.

This training is essential for all employees, particularly in higher-risk environments such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, and facilities management. A well-informed workforce is one of the most effective controls against preventable accidents.

Accredited Health and Safety Courses

Accredited health and safety training is formally recognised by relevant authorities and aligned with national occupational standards. Accreditation ensures that training meets quality, legislative, and assessment requirements, providing organisations with proof of compliance during inspections or audits.

DDi offers a range of accredited health and safety courses, including first aid, fire fighting, SHE representative training, and safety awareness programmes, all aligned with South Africa’s regulatory framework.

Occupational Health and Safety Training for Supervisors and Managers

Supervisors and managers play a critical role in enforcing safety standards and ensuring compliance on a daily basis. OHSA places additional responsibilities on leadership to identify risks, enforce safe systems of work, and act when unsafe conditions are identified.

Targeted occupational health and safety training for supervisors and managers reduces organisational liability, improves decision-making, and strengthens workplace oversight by ensuring leaders understand both their legal obligations and practical responsibilities.

Occupational Health and Safety Training in South Africa: What Sets It Apart

South Africa’s health and safety legislation is highly specific, with clear distinctions between mandatory and recommended training depending on industry, workplace risk, and job role. Certain training is legally required, while other programmes support best practice and proactive risk management.

Effective occupational health and safety training in South Africa must align with local legislation, Department of Labour requirements, and QCTO-recognised standards. At DDi, all training is designed and delivered in line with South Africa’s legal framework, ensuring relevance, compliance, and practical application in real workplaces.

DDi’s Health and Safety Training Courses for OHSA Compliance

DDi provides a comprehensive catalogue of health and safety training courses to support OHSA compliance across industries. Our offerings include:

• Basic Health and Safety Training
• Accredited First Aid Level 1, 2 and 3
• Basic Fire Fighting Training
• SHE Representative Training
• Safety Awareness Skills Programmes
• Facilitator Training
• Assessor Training
• Safety Audits 
• Health & Safety File services
  

Training is delivered by experienced facilitators through on-site, public, and blended learning options, making it easy for organisations to train teams efficiently and cost-effectively.

Why Choose DDi for Accredited Health and Safety Courses?

DDi is an accredited training provider with strong industry credibility and a proven track record in health and safety compliance. Our training solutions are tailored to suit different sectors, workplace risks, and organisational requirements.

We offer flexible delivery options, including on-site training for teams and public courses for individuals. Our programmes focus on practical application, ensuring learners leave confident and capable of applying what they have learned in the workplace. Many organisations see measurable improvements in audit outcomes, incident reduction, and overall safety culture maturity after training with DDi.

Choosing the Right Health and Safety Training for Your Organisation

Selecting the correct training starts with understanding job roles, workplace risks, and legal requirements. Different roles require different levels of competency, and not all training is suitable for every employee.

DDi supports organisations through training gap analyses, helping identify mandatory training per role and recommending appropriate programmes to achieve and maintain compliance without unnecessary duplication.

The Business Benefits of Investing in OHS Training

Investing in occupational health and safety training delivers long-term business value. Benefits include reduced workplace incidents, lower insurance and compensation costs, improved productivity, higher employee morale, and greater confidence during audits and inspections.

A trained workforce contributes to a stronger safety culture, reduced downtime, and legal peace of mind for business owners and managers.

Get Compliant: Book Health and Safety Training with DDi

Health and safety compliance starts with the right training. DDi offers accredited, practical, and industry-aligned health and safety training courses designed to help organisations meet OHSA requirements efficiently and confidently.

Contact DDi to discuss your training needs, book accredited courses, or receive guidance on building a compliant health and safety training plan for your organisation.