Market Intelligence
Safety and Protection South Africa

South Africa National Occupational Safety Sector

The workforce in South Africa (SA) is governed by the “Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)” of 1993. Under this Act, employees should be provided with a safe working environment and the training needed to apply safety practices as well as adhere to safety protocols.

With mining, construction, agriculture, forestry, fishing and first responders being some of the larger and high-risk sectors in SA, there is a constant need for Health and Safety equipment. As the sectors try to comply with the OHSA, safety audits and inspections are now conducted more regularly to ensure compliance. SA also has a variety of national and private game parks where specialized protective gear is required for both wildlife management and hunting.

Typical safety products used in these sectors are:

  • Head protection: hard hats, bump caps, and headwear
  • Eye protection: safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and welding helmets
  • Hearing protection: earmuffs and earplugs
  • Hand protection: gloves
  • Respiratory protection: respirators
  • Foot and leg protection: foot and leg protection
  • Body protection: full body suits
  • Combat/tactical clothing, equipment & accessories

There are many companies in SA that manufacture and supply Safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). According to Horizon’s Grand View Research report, “South Africa PPE Market Size & Outlook”, in 2022 the PPE market generated $870.5 million in revenue. Hand protection was the largest revenue generating segment and respiratory protection was the most lucrative. 

New mining, construction and other investment projects are expected to boost the demand for equipment in SA. There is also a robust Police Service (SAPS) and Municipal Safety Departments responsible for community policing, disaster management, and urban safety initiatives. Labor unions advocate for worker safety, especially in dangerous conditions found in mining, manufacturing and construction. For example, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) pushes for better safety conditions in the mining sector, while the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is involved in worker protection across various sectors.

The construction sector has an incredibly high accident and fatality rate and is a pressing concern for the SA government. The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) reported a fatality rate of 17.5 per 100,000 workers in 2022, significantly higher than the 2.1 per 100,000 workers reported in Australian and UK construction sectors for 2021 and 2022/23, respectively. The Building, Construction and Allied Workers’ Union (BCAWU) is a trade union representing workers. 

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) sets safety standards and specifications for industries and ensures that products meet safety requirements as well as issue certifications. Compliance with SABS standards is mandatory for manufacturers and suppliers of certain PPE.
There are many companies (both local and U.S.) operating in SA such as Dromex, Jonsson Workwear, 3M SA, Du Pont SA and Honeywell which manufacture and export around the globe.

Challenges facing South Africa’s Safety Sector:

  • Port congestion, technical standards, customs valuation above invoice prices and requirements needed to localize supply chains to supply to government.
  • High crime from economic inequality. There is a large presence of Community Safety Forums (CSFs) and neighborhood watches who rely on private security companies and partnerships with law enforcement.
  • Resource and infrastructure constraints – many areas lack first responders in the form of proper policing and emergency services. Public financial constraints mean procuring training and equipment for law enforcement is a challenge. 


Even though SA faces various challenges, it is supported by a diverse group of players working together to mitigate risks, either in the mines, on construction sites, on the streets or camouflaged behind bushes in a wildlife park. 

Opportunities 
As more projects across sectors come to fruition in SA, the need for safety equipment will increase. There are opportunities available to companies that can offer products or services new to market, that integrate technology, strengthen law enforcement and increase occupational safety but prioritize quality and that are priced competitively.

For more information contact: 
Kirsten Bell, Commercial Specialist, Kirsten.Bell@trade.gov                
U.S. Consulate Durban, South Africa