Title: Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993: Explosives Regulations, 2024: Radio Frequency Device Guidelines 

Gazette reference: GN 5048 in GG 50960 on 23 July 2024  

Commencement date: 23 July 2024 

On 23 July 2024, the Minister of Employment and Labour, in terms of section 43 of OHSA, made the Explosives Regulations, 2024. These regulations apply to any employer, self-employed person or user who operates an explosive workplace for the purpose of manufacturing, testing, storing or using explosives. These Regulations also repeal the Explosives Regulations, 2002. 

These Regulations also introduce the Radio Frequency Device Guidelines (“the Guidelines”) (regulation 6(3)(c) of the Regulations). 

These Guidelines are applicable to: 

• All persons involved in explosives workplace under Explosives Regulations, 2003; 

• Any explosives manager who intends to introduce radio frequency (RF) devices within the Danger Area; the Guidelines make provision for, amongst others, the condition that every explosives manager intending to introduce radio frequency devices inside the danger area shall notify the chief inspector within 90 working days of the promulgation of the Regulations. 

• Intentional Transmitters that are either Type Approved Equipment or Spectrum Licensed Equipment intended for use in the Danger Area. 

Title: Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (“OHSA”): Asbestos Abatement Regulations, 2020 as amended 

Gazette reference: GN 5042 in GG 50930 on 12 July 2024 

Commencement date: 12 July 2024 

The Minister of Employment and Labour, under section 43 of the OHSA, made the following amendments to regulation 24 of the Asbestos Abatement Regulations, GNR 1196 published on 10 November 2020 by adding the underlined text: 

“24. Prohibitions 

No person may – 

(f) use electrical power tools, such as angle grinders, or any other fast-moving equipment to cut, grind or drill asbestos-containing material; Provided that slow moving tools may only be used where the activity is part of asbestos containing material removal for final disposal; 

(j) make any installation or fitting on or onto asbestos containing materials.”