Building Safely Begins Below Ground Before a single pile is driven or a foundation is poured, one question determines the outcome of the entire project: What lies beneath the surface? In South Africa, where geology varies dramatically from Gauteng clays…
Man-cages were once a standard method for lifting personnel into elevated work areas, especially on construction and maintenance sites. They were seen as a simple solution that could be paired with existing cranes or lifting machines. However, updated regulations, modern…
Access control remains one of the most overlooked yet vital safety measures on both construction and operational sites. Across South Africa, incidents have repeatedly shown how weak site entry management can lead to serious injury, and even fatal outcomes. When…
Understanding Health Beyond the Physical Health is more than the absence of illness. The World Health Organisation defines it as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Similarly, the…
Confined spaces such as manholes, tanks, and silos present some of the most dangerous working environments in construction and maintenance. Hazards like toxic gases, oxygen depletion, flooding, and structural instability mean that emergencies can escalate in seconds. For this reason,…
Excavation work is a critical step in many construction projects, but it also comes with some of the highest risks. Trenches and open excavations expose workers to dangers that, if not properly managed, can quickly turn fatal. In South Africa,…
When we think about roof safety, many people immediately picture harnesses, lifelines, and anchor points. While these systems are essential, they should never be the first solution. The most effective safety measure is to remove the fall risk entirely. That’s…
For centuries, construction and mining relied on cables, winches, and steam-driven engines to move earth, lift materials, and power machines. While these systems were revolutionary in their own time, they came with limitations: jerky movements, frequent breakdowns, and a lack…
Tobacco Products Control Act and Notice R.975 (2000) Smoking in the workplace—including construction sites—is governed foremost by the Tobacco Products Control Act, 1993, as amended, and the associated Regulations published under Notice R.975 of 2000. Under these laws, the workplace is…
In the construction industry, safety isn't theoretical—it’s deeply practical, and sometimes unforgiving. Behind every regulation lies a lesson, and behind every form lies a life. The Health and Safety Overview course by Cairnmead Faculty of Safety draws from real incidents…