New draft regulations aim to strengthen South Africa’s construction industry
The publication of South Africa’s 2025 Draft Construction Regulations is more than just a regular regulatory update. It represents a fundamental shift in how our industry approaches safety, accountability and professional responsibility. For construction professionals, clients, and developers, understanding these changes is essential to surviving and thriving in an evolving landscape that is more dangerous than ever.
The proposed regulations respond to an urgent need for systemic change, as the construction industry accounts for 40% of occupational fatalities in developed countries, despite employing only 6% to 10% of the workforce. “With the construction industry accounting for four in 10 workplace fatalities and employing less than one in 10 workers, there is a moral and business imperative to fundamentally change our safety culture,” said Craig Lasky, Group SHEQ Manager.
Construction creates jobs, stimulates investment and builds infrastructure that benefits future generations. Effective regulation ensures public safety, consumer protection, and industry sustainability. Like the buildings we build, our industry must be built on a strong foundation of integrity and professionalism.
Recent events highlight the need for this reform. The tragic collapse of Georgeville in 2024 was one of the most devastating structural failures in recent memory and a stark reminder of the consequences when oversight, capacity and accountability are compromised. As research and lessons continue to emerge, the message is clear: we cannot afford to be complacent.
A new era of responsibility
The draft regulations herald a new era of accountability. The most important departure from the 2014 Regulations lies in the widening of the liability net. Clients can no longer remain passive project sponsors.
“The new regulations make it clear that when you commission a building, you have a responsibility to ensure that safety is built in from day one. This is not about pointing fingers, but creating shared ownership of the outcome,” explains Gareth Robb, GVK-Siya Zama’s Contracts Director for the Western Cape.
Under the proposed framework, clients will need to prepare a documented design risk assessment before construction begins, develop comprehensive health and safety specifications, and ensure designers integrate these considerations from the start. Safety is now integrated into the concept phase of the project.
The entire construction value chain will benefit. For contractors, the introduction of construction health and safety managers as statutory appointments on complex projects elevates safety from a compliance checkbox to a strategic imperative. “By creating a statutory role for construction health and safety managers, we are professionalizing safety management. These individuals will have the authority and professional standing to stop dangerous work before someone is injured or killed,” says Lasky.
The prime contractor must actively coordinate cooperation between multiple contractors on site. Accountability cannot be diluted by subcontracting. The dual signature requirement eliminates ambiguity regarding professional responsibilities when important decisions are made.
Designers face intense scrutiny. If the stability of the soil is uncertain during excavation operations, it must be jointly approved by both the authorized person and the engineer or technician. These dual signature requirements eliminate ambiguity regarding professional responsibilities when important decisions are made.
Contractors should review risk assessments when design changes change the risk profile, when an incident occurs, or at least annually. Risk assessment documents must be accessible not only to inspectors and customers, but also to employees, trade union representatives and health and safety committees.
The move from paper-based to electronic health and safety files reflects a practical modernization, but the content is more important than the form. These files should record the entire project lifecycle, inform future maintenance, and create an organizational memory to prevent disasters during the structure’s operational life.
Build capacity, not just structure
Perhaps the most progressive aspect of the 2025 Framework is its focus on professionalism and skills development. Introducing the Construction Health and Safety Officer and Manager as distinct roles, both of which require registration with a statutory body approved by the Chief Inspector, establishes a clear career path in construction safety management. By requiring professional registration, the new regulations aim to strengthen standards, enable guidance and build a generation of safety leaders who will improve industry practice.
Importantly, the regulation’s ergonomic focus—optimizing human well-being and system performance—recognizes the importance of the long-term health of construction workers. 30% of construction workers suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, demonstrating that sustainable construction requires sustainable labor practices.
Sustainability beyond compliance
The 2025 Regulations primarily focus on occupational safety and health, but also intersect with environmental responsibility. Demolition codes mandating compliance with asbestos abatement and lead regulations demonstrate integrated thinking. The removal of authorized inspection authorities will streamline oversight, but will place greater responsibility on contractors to effectively self-regulate.
Building for the future
The transition period will test our industry, but any discomfort will be a long-term positive. “Companies that use this as an opportunity to build better systems and gain customer trust will emerge as industry leaders. The question is not whether they can afford to comply, but whether they can afford not to comply,” adds Lasky.
Smaller contractors may struggle with the administrative burden of enhanced documentation. The cost of the project will increase as safety infrastructure and the appointment of experts will no longer be negotiable. However, these short-term challenges create long-term competitive advantages. Companies that adopt the new framework will differentiate themselves as professional and trusted partners.
Clients are increasingly aware that the lowest bids often come with hidden costs such as delays, rework, accidents and reputational damage. The 2025 regulations create a level playing field where cutting corners on safety no longer provides a competitive advantage.
bold action needed
The 2025 Draft Construction Regulations are by no means final. Industry should participate constructively in the public comment process. However, the direction is clear. Together, we can all build a better sector over the next five years. Companies that treat this transition as simply a compliance exercise will struggle. Those who recognize this as a catalyst for operational excellence, professional development and sustainable growth will lead South Africa’s construction industry to a safer and more reliable future.
