Health and Safety File templates

Health and Safety File Templates are easily downloadable from the internet and some companies even advertise on google that they can sell you health and safety file templates.

All good and well , but now you have bought these templates and you do not know where to start.

What is a health and safety file?

A ‘ Safety File’ is a record of information focusing on the management of health and safety on construction sites for contractors and sub-contractors. It protects the employer from criminal liability and proves compliance to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations

As a contractor you do not have experience in drafting health and safety documents. but it is required by law and by your client The client issued you with all their requirements , and expect a fully compliant health and safety file on site before you can start to work..

No one says it is wrong to buy templates or its illegal, but you as a contractor has no experience or competence  in drafting site specific health and safety documentation.

What does the South African LAW say about a Health and  Safety File?

Every contractor and sub-contractor is required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the Construction Regulations 2014, to have a Health and Safety File that must be available at all times. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and Construction Regulations 2014 state the following:

Construction Regulation 5(1)(s) – The client must ensure that health and safety file contemplated in regulation 7(1)(b) is kept and maintained by the principal  contractor;
Construction Regulation 7(1)(b) –A principal  contractor must open and keep on site a health and safety file which must include all documentation required in terms of the Act and these Regulations, which must be made available on request to an inspector, the client, the client’s agent or a contractor.
The Health and Safety File must be maintained by the site safety personnel and audited by a competent person.

We always suggest to appoint a competent Construction Health and Safety Consultant to assist with the development of health and safety files. In ” competent ” we mean a person registered with the SACPCMP, with adequate training and experience in the construction industry.

Why waste time on templates you do not understand, or only to find out the client does not accept or approve them.