SANS & Legal Compliance Centre
Applicable Standards
Eye Protection
This standard (2018 edition, adopted from EN 166) specifies the requirements for personal eye protection equipment. It covers impact resistance, optical clarity, coverage, chemical splash protection and UV filtering. Different lens types and frame designs are available for various hazard categories.
Why it matters: Eye injuries can cause permanent vision loss. Selecting the correct eye protection for the specific hazards present (impact, dust, chemicals, UV) is essential. Regular inspection and replacement of scratched or damaged lenses maintains optical clarity and protection.
High Visibility Clothing
This standard (adopted from EN ISO 20471) specifies requirements for high visibility warning clothing for professional use. It covers retro-reflective materials, fluorescent background materials, minimum areas of visibility and garment design requirements for daytime, twilight and night-time conditions.
Why it matters: Worker visibility is critical in environments with vehicle traffic, low lighting or poor weather conditions. Hi-vis clothing reduces the risk of vehicle strikes and improves overall site safety by ensuring workers are visible to equipment operators, drivers and colleagues.
Industrial Safety Helmets
This standard specifies the requirements for industrial safety helmets designed to protect the wearer from falling objects and impact with fixed objects. It covers impact resistance, penetration resistance, electrical insulation, chin strap requirements and marking requirements.
Why it matters: Head injuries can be life-threatening. Properly certified safety helmets are the last line of defence against falling objects, bump hazards and overhead impacts. Regular inspection and timely replacement of helmets are essential for continued protection.
Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protection standards cover the selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices. They address fit testing, filter selection for specific contaminants, equipment compatibility, training requirements and recordkeeping.
Why it matters: Inhalation hazards including dust, silica, chemical vapours and welding fumes can cause serious long-term health conditions. Proper respiratory protection, combined with fit testing and correct filter selection, is essential for protecting workers’ respiratory health.
SABS 434 Protective Clothing
SABS 434 is a South African national standard that specifies the requirements for protective clothing. It covers fabric strength, construction quality, dimensional stability, colour fastness and overall garment performance. The standard ensures that protective clothing can withstand the demands of industrial, mining and construction environments while maintaining worker safety.
Why it matters: Choosing SABS 434 accredited workwear means selecting garments that have been independently verified to meet South Africa’s protective clothing requirements. This standard helps ensure consistency in quality, durability and safety performance across workwear used in hazardous environments.
Safety Footwear
This standard specifies the requirements for safety footwear designed to protect the foot from impact, compression, puncture and other workplace hazards. It covers toe protection (steel or composite toe caps), slip resistance, energy absorption and penetration resistance.
Why it matters: Foot injuries are among the most common workplace injuries. Proper safety footwear significantly reduces the risk of crushed toes, puncture wounds, slips and falls. Selecting footwear that meets this standard ensures workers have adequate foot protection matched to their specific hazards.
Employer Responsibilities
- Conduct Risk Assessments
Identify workplace hazards and determine appropriate PPE requirements for each task and environment.
- Provide Suitable PPE
Supply PPE that is appropriate for the hazards identified and properly sized for each worker.
- Train Employees
Ensure workers understand when, why and how to use PPE correctly. Document all training.
- Maintain PPE
Implement inspection schedules, cleaning procedures and maintenance programmes for all PPE.
- Replace Damaged PPE
Remove damaged or expired PPE from service immediately and issue replacements.
- Monitor Compliance
Regularly verify that PPE is being worn correctly and that programme requirements are being met.
Employee Responsibilities
- Wear PPE Correctly
Use all issued PPE as instructed and in the manner for which it was designed.
- Report Damaged PPE
Immediately report any damage, wear or defects noticed during use or inspection.
- Attend Training
Participate in all PPE training sessions and ask questions when uncertain.
- Care for PPE
Clean, store and handle PPE according to manufacturer and employer instructions.
- Follow Safety Procedures
Adhere to all site-specific safety procedures related to PPE use and workplace safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What PPE is legally required in South Africa?
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers must provide PPE where engineering and administrative controls cannot fully eliminate risks. The specific PPE required depends on the hazards identified in a site-specific risk assessment. Common requirements include safety footwear, hard hats, hi-vis clothing, gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection.
How often should PPE be replaced?
Replacement frequency depends on the type of PPE, intensity of use and exposure conditions. As a general guide: hard hats every 2-5 years (or after impact), hi-vis clothing every 6-12 months, safety footwear every 6-12 months, FR garments after fire exposure, and respiratory filters per manufacturer specifications. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and inspection results.
Can employees refuse to wear PPE?
Under South African OHSA, both employers and employees have legal obligations regarding PPE. Employees are required to use PPE properly. Refusal to wear mandated PPE can result in disciplinary action. However, PPE must be suitable, properly fitted, maintained and employees must be trained in its use.
How do I know if PPE is compliant?
Look for certification marks, manufacturer documentation and compliance labels. For workwear, SABS 434 accreditation is a key indicator. Always request compliance documentation from suppliers and verify certifications are current. Purchase from reputable suppliers who can provide traceability and certification evidence.
What is SABS 434?
SABS 434 is the South African national standard for protective clothing. It specifies requirements for fabric strength, construction quality, dimensional stability and colour fastness. Workwear manufactured in an SABS 434 accredited facility has been independently verified to meet these national safety requirements.
What is the difference between SANS and SABS?
SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) is the national standards body that develops and publishes standards. SANS (South African National Standards) is the prefix used for national standards published by SABS. SABS also provides testing, certification and accreditation services.
What records should employers keep?
Employers should maintain: risk assessment documentation, PPE issue registers, training records, inspection records, replacement records, supplier compliance documentation and incident reports involving PPE. These records demonstrate due diligence and support compliance audits.
How often should PPE inspections be conducted?
Visual inspections should be conducted daily by the wearer. Formal inspections by a competent person should occur weekly. Comprehensive compliance checks should occur monthly. FR garments require inspection after every exposure event.
The information provided on this website is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, regulatory, or professional safety advice. Always consult current legislation, official standards, site-specific risk assessments, and qualified safety professionals when determining PPE and workwear requirements.
