The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act aims to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of employees and visitors at workplaces. Employers and organisations must legally comply with these provisions, regardless of their primary business functions.
The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), through its Chief Inspector and inspectors, enforces compliance, particularly regarding first aid provisions. As per the General Safety Regulation, workplaces must have first aid kits that are regularly inspected and filled as required and also a trained first aider available and certified by a labour approved organization at all times.
Failure to meet the minimum requirements may lead to non-conformance notices issued by the DEL. For severe legal non-compliance, actions such as criminal cases, fines, imprisonment, or both may result.

First Aid Training and Compliance
The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) requires workplaces to comply with the OHS Act regulations by ensuring employees attend accredited first aid courses and implement necessary procedures. Organisations must provide DEL and QCTO/ SETA accredited first aid certificates.

First Aid Training Requirements
The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act mandates that employers must train one first aider for every 50 employees, with the certificate approved by the Department of Labour’s (DEL) Chief Inspector. The level of workplace risk may require more trained employees or advanced training. Accredited first aid courses must include topics like anatomy, CPR, bleeding, and life support protocols. Training providers must be accredited with a SETA and/or QCTO and organisations should verify their provider’s QCTO/ SETA and DEL accreditation certificates for compliance when employing their services.

Health and Safety Responsibilities of the Employer
Employers are responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of their employees by adhering to the OHS Act and DEL requirements. They must have qualified first aiders on-site to respond effectively to emergencies, such as applying first aid and CPR. This can save lives and aid recovery. First aid kits should be strategically placed in workplaces and contain essential items such as bandages, scissors, and antiseptic solutions that are listed in the general safety regulations. Organizations without DEL-recognized first aiders are non-compliant with the OHS Act. Using DEL and QCTO/ SETA-accredited training providers like Trainsafe, ensures proper first aid training and prepares teams to respond effectively to incidents, safeguarding the workforce, considered the most valuable asset of any organization