Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala delivered the keynote address at the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) Annual Health and Safety Conference, held at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton today 11/09/2025, which brings together stakeholders from the construction and allied industries to advance workplace safety and well-being.

“Health and safety is not simply a matter of ticking boxes for compliance," the Deputy Minister said. “It is about upholding the Constitution, defending the dignity of workers, and safeguarding the future of our nation by ensuring that every worker returns home alive and well to their families."

Workplace health and safety in South Africa is therefore more than a compliance exercise. It is a constitutional right that protects workers' dignity and ensures no one is exposed to unsafe or degrading conditions. For the construction sector, which employs large numbers of South Africans while carrying some of the highest risks, safety is not optional. It is essential for protecting workers, sustaining communities, and securing investment.

Deputy Minister, Nemadzinga-Tshabalala emphasised the important role of FEM, noting that it “plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the building and construction sector operates within a framework of responsibility, accountability, and protection."

Through its role under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), FEM guarantees that workers who are injured or contract occupational diseases receive compensation while clarifying the responsibilities of employers and contractors. By enforcing conditions set under section 30 of COIDA, FEM ensures that safety and accountability are firmly embedded in the industry's operations.

Reflecting on South Africa's evolving regulatory environment, Nemadzinga-Tshabalala highlighted the progress that has been made. “From the first Construction Regulations in 2003, to the strengthened provisions in 2014, and now the draft regulations of 2025, the message has remained the same: there is no room for blame-shifting. Every participant in the construction value chain must take responsibility."

The new draft regulations, published earlier this year, aim to address technological change, modern construction methods, and lessons learned from structural collapses and other incidents. They promote self-regulation while reinforcing oversight, with the goal of driving down accidents and fatalities.

One of the key measures introduced is the Construction Work Permit, which ensures safety measures are in place before work begins. “This proactive step allows the Department to deploy resources more effectively and to support safer construction sites," she said.

The Deputy Minister noted that these measures come at a crucial moment, as infrastructure investment accelerates. Government and private sector projects in housing, transport, energy, education, and other sectors are underway across the country. “Construction work begins with the client," she reminded delegates. “Where the client lacks the required competency, they must appoint a competent person, such as a Construction Health and Safety Agent. Safety must be integrated from the very beginning."

She echoed the International Labour Organisation's view that architects, engineers, and other professionals should design with safety in mind, avoiding unnecessary hazards and ensuring that future maintenance can be carried out with minimal risk.

The conference also reaffirmed the principle that health and safety is a shared responsibility. “Our vision for the construction sector is clear: all stakeholders must fulfil their roles from clients, contractors, and designers, to engineers, health and safety professionals, and workers. Only through shared responsibility can we achieve the safe, sustainable, and productive construction sector that South Africa needs."

Looking to the future, Deputy Minister Nemadzinga-Tshabalala stressed the importance of collaboration. “Together, through government, organised labour, business, and professionals in the sector, we can drive innovation, enforce accountability, and build a construction industry where every worker can operate in an environment that protects their health, safeguards their dignity, and ensures they return home safely at the end of every day."

For media inquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

​ 

​​