Occupational Health & Safety News
More newsCOIDA Amendments now in force: A new era for workplace injury compensation in South Africa
On 23 January 2026, the President of South Africa published Proclamation Notice 306 of 2026, bringing into operation several key provisions of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Act 10 of 2022 (the “Amendment Act”). The Amendment Act introduces significant changes to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993 (COIDA), including enhanced employee protections, new enforcement mechanisms, and a statutory rehabilitation framework. The amendments are being implemented in phases: 23 January 2026, 1 February 2026, and 1 April 2026.
New COIDA Regulations now published: Rehabilitation Framework takes shape
On 6 March 2026, the Minister of Employment and Labour published several sets of regulations under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993, as amended (COIDA), in Government Gazette No. 54273. In our previous alert, we reported on the commencement of the COIDA amendments brought into operation by Proclamation Notice 306 of 2026, including the new statutory rehabilitation framework introduced by section 70A. The detailed regulations governing the implementation of the rehabilitation and return-to-work programmes have been published and are effective immediately.
Improving health and safety in the iron and steel sector
On 26 February 2025, the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour (Deputy Minister) addressed delegates from the iron and steel sector (sector) about the importance of improving occupational health and safety(OHS).