COMPENSATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES
AND DISEASES ACT
NO 130 OF 1993
Repeals the Workmen’s Compensation Act, No 30, of 1941
Promulgation date 1 March 1994
ACT
“To provide for the compensation for disablement caused by occupational injuries or diseases sustained or contracted
by employees in the course of their employment, or for death resulting from such injuries or diseases and to provide
for matters connected therewith”
PURPOSE OF THE NEW ACT
Previously the Workmen’s Compensation Act covered employees who earned less than a certain amount per annum.
Now all employees are covered by the Act except domestic workers and members of the military and police force.
The Act also covers occupational disease or diseases which arise out of and in the course of the employment whereas
previously the focus was on accidents resulting in injury or death arising out of employment.
The Compensation Act is in effect a mutual insurance scheme whereby employers are required to pay premiums –
called assessments – into the Compensation Fund to cover their employees in case of occupational injury, disease or
death in the course of employment.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE NEW ACT
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Provide for compensation
Occupational injuries, diseases or death
Only in the course of employment (anywhere, anytime)
All employees covered
COMPENSATION FOR LOSSES
 Loss of earnings
 Conveyance
 Medical
 Rehabilitation
 Permanent disability
 Death
 Burial
NO COMPENSATION
 Serious and wilful misconduct
 Under the influence of alcohol and drugs
 Contravention of the law
 With the exception of permanent disability or death
CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE
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Personal responsibility
Civil liability risk potential
Fines not exceeding R 100 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years, or both
Copyright © vests in SCOTT-SAFE Est. 1992
All rights reserved
Amended: 06 January 2014