SHE Legal Compliance Audits Under the OHS & NEMA Acts
Independent, inspectorate-ready audits that measure your workplace against the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993) and NEMA Act, (Act No. 107 of 1998) — and tell you exactly what to fix before an inspector arrives.
The Law We Audit Against
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the NEMA Act (NEMA) places a legal duty on every employer to provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of employees. Compliance is not optional, and the Department of Employment and Labour inspectorate can issue prohibition notices, improvement notices, and on-the-spot fines — or, in serious cases, refer matters for prosecution — when workplaces fall short.
An OHS and NEMA legal compliance audit is a structured, evidence-based review of your premises, documentation, and practices against the OHSA and NEMA and its supporting regulations. It tells you precisely where you stand legally, what the gaps are, and what corrective action is required — before an inspector enforces it for you.
Our audits are benchmarked against the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 and the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 and the regulations made under them. We assess your operation against the specific regulations that apply to your industry and activities.
- General Administrative Regulations, 2003 — appointment of responsible persons, record-keeping, and reporting
- Construction Regulations, 2014 — where construction work is performed or contracted
- Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015 and General Safety Regulations
- Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations — labelling, storage, and exposure control
- Facilities Regulations, 2024 — sanitation, change rooms, and eating areas
- Major Hazard Installation Regulations where applicable
Our Audit Process
Scoping & Document Review
We confirm the scope of your operation, the applicable regulations, and review your existing SHE documentation — policies, risk assessments, appointment letters, and registers — to establish a baseline.
On-Site Inspection
A certified auditor walks your premises, observes work practices, inspects machinery and facilities, and interviews supervisors and safety representatives to verify what is documented matches what happens on the floor.
Gap Analysis & Findings
Each finding is mapped to the specific section of the OHSA/NEMA or regulation it breaches, classified by severity, and supported with photographic evidence and observations.
Corrective Action Plan
You receive a prioritised, practical corrective action plan with owners and target dates so you can close gaps systematically and demonstrate due diligence to an inspector.
Close-Out Verification
On request we return to verify that corrective actions have been implemented and re-issue an updated compliance status report.
What You Receive
- Detailed SHE legal compliance audit report with regulatory references
- Photographic evidence register of all findings
- Prioritised corrective action plan with owners and due dates
- Compliance scorecard benchmarked against the OHSA
- Executive summary for management and board reporting
Who This Is For
- Manufacturing and industrial plants in Gauteng and the SADC region
- Warehousing, logistics, and distribution operators
- Construction contractors and principal contractors
- Mining support services and contractors
- Facilities and property management companies
Case Study: Manufacturing Plant Inspectorate Readiness
A Gauteng-based manufacturer engaged Visionary Leadership after a competitor in the same sector received a prohibition notice. A baseline SHE legal compliance audit identified 23 findings across general administrative requirements, machinery guarding, and hazardous chemical storage. We delivered a corrective action plan and supported implementation over six weeks.
Result: The client passed a subsequent Department of Employment and Labour inspection with zero prohibition notices and only two minor improvement notices, both closed within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should an OHS legal compliance audit be done?+
We recommend an annual audit as a minimum, with more frequent reviews after significant changes to processes, premises, or personnel, or following any reportable incident. Annual audits also satisfy the due-diligence expectations of insurers and clients.
Is the audit the same as an ISO 45001 internal audit?+
No. An OHS legal compliance audit measures you against the law — the OHSA and its regulations. An ISO 45001 internal audit measures your management system against the ISO standard. Many clients run both; we offer both and can combine them for efficiency.
Will the audit report be shared with the inspectorate?+
No. The audit is confidential and prepared for your management. It is a tool for you to achieve and demonstrate compliance. We only share information with regulators if you instruct us to.
Do you audit contractors and sub-contractors as well?+
Yes. We routinely extend audits to contractor management arrangements, verifying that appointed contractors meet the OHS obligations the principal employer remains liable for.