Health and safety spending can feel like an expense that delivers no real return, right up until the moment it does. But OHS compliance shouldn’t be seen as a grudge purchase; the reality is that the costs of being compliant are much less than the potential costs of non-compliance. This article is written for the decision-maker who wants to understand the actual numbers before committing.
The short answer is this: OHS training costs and broader compliance expenses vary by business size and industry. Compliance spending is not a single line item. It is made up of several distinct cost categories, each tied to a specific legal obligation or risk management function.
A Health and Safety File (or OHS File) is a compiled set of documents that demonstrates your company’s OHS compliance status. A health and safety file typically includes an OHS policy statement, organogram and legal appointments, committee agenda and minutes templates, risk assessment templates and supporting documents, incident reporting templates and supporting documents, the Department of Employment and Labour Annexure 1 document, workplace inspection checklists, Health and Safety Representative workplace inspection checklists, emergency preparedness documentation, policy documentation, and other relevant health and safety records.
Absolute Health Services (AHS) assists organisations with compiling a standard OHS file that meets the majority of the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 85 of 1993 and applicable legislation. AHS identifies missing documentation in your OHS system and provides a comprehensive set of standard compliance documents in both hard and soft copy, organised in a logical, easy-to-use format.
For businesses wondering how much a safety file costs, AHS offers its OHS File Compilation service for approximately R7,500.00 ex VAT, providing a structured system that supports day-to-day health and safety management, prepares your organisation for Department of Employment and Labour inspections, and helps keep compliance records accessible and up to date. The cost of a safety file may vary, as the quoted price is approximate and excludes VAT and any applicable travel and accommodation costs.
Risk assessments are a critical aspect of OHS compliance. Regular risk assessments help organisations identify and address hazards before incidents occur, prioritise corrective actions, develop effective control measures and maintain an accurate workplace risk register. A comprehensive risk assessment identifies workplace hazards and who may be affected, evaluates and ranks the associated risks, assesses existing control measures, includes photographic evidence where applicable, and provides practical recommendations for reducing or eliminating identified risks, together with a written report of the findings.
AHS conducts professional on-site OHS Risk Assessments through experienced OHS practitioners who identify workplace hazards, evaluate the level of risk they present and recommend practical measures to eliminate, reduce or control those risks. Following the assessment, AHS provides a comprehensive report that can be used to develop an effective risk management plan. Approximate pricing starts at R8,750.00 ex VAT for a small company or low-risk workplace (½-day assessment and ½-day report), R15,000.00 ex VAT for a medium company or medium-risk workplace (one-day assessment and one-day report), and R22,500.00 ex VAT for a large company or high-risk workplace (three days), with additional days charged at R7,500.00 per day as required. Prices exclude VAT and applicable travel and accommodation costs and are subject to change.
OHS training is an important part of achieving and maintaining OHS compliance, ensuring that employees appointed to health and safety roles have the knowledge and skills needed to perform their functions effectively. For example, courses like first aid, Health and Safety Representative, firefighting, and evacuation planning are key OHS Act compliance courses for South African businesses. First aid training equips employees to respond effectively to workplace injuries and medical emergencies, firefighting training helps employees understand fire prevention and correctly manage a firefighting emergency, while Health and Safety Representative training prepares appointed representatives to identify workplace health and safety concerns and assist management in implementing health and safety requirements.
OHS training costs vary depending on the type, duration, and level of training required. At AHS, for example, the two-day Basic First Aid (Level 1) course costs R1,095.00 ex VAT, while the one-day Health & Safety Representative course costs R975.00 ex VAT for in-person training. At the other end of the scale, AHS’s comprehensive 10-day Health & Safety Officer course is currently priced at R9,750.00 ex VAT. This gives businesses an indication of the range of OHS training costs, from shorter courses focused on specific workplace health and safety roles through to more extensive training covering broader OHS management responsibilities.
For businesses that do not have a qualified OHS practitioner or Health and Safety Officer on staff, outsourcing ongoing OHS compliance management is a practical solution. OHS compliance requires continuous attention as workplace risks, legal obligations, and health and safety requirements change. AHS’s Monthly OHS Management Service provides ongoing access to an experienced OHS practitioner who works alongside your management team to implement, maintain and continually improve your OHS management system. Depending on your organisation’s requirements, this support can cover areas such as maintaining OHS documentation, legal appointments and organisational structures, workplace inspections, risk assessments and controls, Health and Safety Committee meetings, incident investigations, emergency preparedness, and ongoing compliance monitoring.
AHS tailors its monthly OHS management retainers to the workplace, industry, and level of support required, with a qualified practitioner visiting your organisation for an agreed amount of time each month. Approximate pricing starts at R8,950.00 ex VAT per month for one day (8 hours) of support, R14,000.00 ex VAT per month for two days (16 hours), and R25,000.00 ex VAT per month for four days (32 hours). This gives businesses access to experienced OHS expertise without the cost of employing a full-time resource, while allowing the level of support to grow or change as their compliance needs evolve. Prices are approximate and exclude VAT and any applicable travel and accommodation costs.
The cost of achieving and maintaining OHS compliance needs to be weighed against the potentially significant financial and operational consequences of non-compliance. Businesses that cannot demonstrate compliance may face Department of Employment and Labour enforcement action, operational disruption, civil liability, loss of contracts, increased insurance premiums, and reputational damage.
Legal fines and prosecution. Non-compliance with the OHS Act can result in fines of up to R100,000, imprisonment of up to two years for responsible persons, or both. Department of Employment and Labour inspectors can also issue improvement, contravention and prohibition notices where deficiencies or contraventions are identified.
Operational stoppages. In cases involving threatening danger, a Department of Employment and Labour inspector may issue a prohibition notice preventing a particular action or process, or the use of machinery or equipment. Serious non-compliance may ultimately result in production being stopped or a company being prevented from operating where lives may be endangered. The resulting interruption to normal business operations can therefore create costs beyond any direct financial penalty.
Civil liability, insurance, and reputational damage. The consequences of OHS non-compliance can extend beyond regulatory enforcement. Non-compliant businesses risk potential civil liability following workplace injuries or fatalities, increased insurance premiums or denial of claims where non-compliance contributed to an incident, and reputational damage that can affect staff retention, client relationships and business development. In addition, businesses may lose contracts, particularly where clients or principal contractors require evidence of OHS compliance before engagement.
AHS works with businesses across industries to make OHS compliance practical, affordable, and effective. Our services cover the full compliance picture: Accredited training courses, professional Health and Safety File preparation, risk assessments, and ongoing OHS management retainers for businesses that want expert support without the overhead of a full-time hire.
If you are ready to put a plan in place to achieve full OHS compliance, we are here to help. Contact Absolute Health Services to start the conversation.
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