South African labour and safety legislation requires employers to physically display several notices in the workplace, where employees can see them, not filed away. Getting this wrong is an easy, avoidable compliance gap. Here’s a plain-language overview of the notices most businesses need (always confirm current requirements for your specific sector and workforce against the legislation itself or with a compliance advisor):
1. Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) summary
Employers are required to make employees aware of their rights under the BCEA, commonly done via a workplace poster summarising those rights in plain language.
2. Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
The OHS Act requires employers to display the Act (or an approved summary) so employees are aware of their health and safety rights and obligations.
3. Employment Equity Act (EEA)
Designated employers in particular are required to display the Employment Equity Act and related information in the workplace, including how it affects employees.
4. Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COIDA) notice
Employers are expected to display information related to compensation for workplace injury and disease, including how employees should report an incident.
5. National Minimum Wage notice
Employers are required to make employees aware of the applicable national minimum wage.
Why this matters beyond avoiding a fine
Beyond the legal obligation itself, visibly displayed compliance notices are one of the first things a labour inspector, auditor, or ISO 45001/37301 assessor checks. It’s a fast, visible signal of whether compliance is taken seriously in your business.
Get compliant materials
Andreas Burger Consulting’s ISO Awareness Toolkit, the OHS Act abstract poster, SOP templates and ready-to-run toolbox talk packs, is launching soon. Get in touch in the meantime if you’re not sure which notices apply to your specific business.